The G7 countries have reached concrete agreements to phase out coal power. According to the Minister of Environment of Germany Steffi Lemke G7 agreed to expand production of renewable energy.

This was reported by Reuters.

The pledge will be the first commitment by the G7 to phase out coal power, the use of which must decrease if the world is to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

"There are very concrete declarations and agreements to expand the use of renewable energy and also, for example, to phase out coal," Lemke said.

The final communiqué of this week's three-day G7 meeting in Berlin will also include a strong emphasis on protecting biodiversity and combating plastic pollution, she said.

Lemke made the announcement as Germany hosts G7 energy, climate and environment ministers for talks amid skyrocketing energy prices and fuel supply problems caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The conflict has provoked a desire by some countries to buy more non-Russian fossil fuels and burn coal to reduce their dependence on supplies from Russia, raising fears that the crisis could undermine efforts to combat climate change.

Germany has said that the search for alternative fossil fuels will not come at the expense of environmental goals.

The final communiqué will be published later Friday.

As a reminder, the G7 countries may create a cartel that will not buy oil above a certain price. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it could succeed if it is big enough.