FRANKFURT – According to the heads of the Business 7 (B7) industry lobby, the Group of Seven (G7) should coordinate international climate protection ambitions in line with the “climate club”, which was proposed Wednesday by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The German Federation of Industry (BDI), on behalf of the group, presented a joint statement from B7 members to G7. This was at the beginning of a three day meeting of G7 energy, environment and climate ministers in Berlin.

Scholz proposed the idea of avoiding trade friction in areas such as green tariffs, decarbonization markets and carbon pricing.

Siegfried Russwurm (BDI) stated that the B7 supported the idea of a climate club open to all. “The G7 needs to clarify its contributions.”

B7 includes the most prominent business and industry federations in the G7. The B7 was established in 2007 by BDI.

He stated that the B7 wanted people to understand what “green” materials are, such as steel and cement.

They regarded energy supply diversification and security as essential. Their stance had been reinforced by the war in Ukraine, and Russia possibly stopping pipeline shipments to Europe.

B7 wanted to speed up alternative shipments for liquefied petroleum gas (LNG), rapid expansion of renewable energie sources, and supply hydrogen as a substitute.

G7 nations needed to reach an agreement on the promotion and building up of low-carbon hydrogen economies.

This year’s G7 presidency is held by Europe’s biggest economy. Robert Habeck and Steffi Lemke, federal environment ministers, will host the May 25-27 gathering.