G7

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal group of democratic advanced economies -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- that have met regularly since the 1970s energy crises to coordinate policies on global issues such as trade, security, energy and climate change.

The rotating presidency of the G7 regularly invites guest countries, as well as regional and international organisations, to summit meetings. The IEA has worked closely with the group since the 2005 Gleneagles Summit, under Britain’s Presidency, to develop policy advice on energy security and clean energy transitions.

The G7 summits in 2014, 2015 and 2016, under the presidencies of Italy, Germany, and Japan, respectively, tasked the IEA and partner organisations with providing analyses and recommendations on gas supply security, energy efficiency and clean energy technology. At the same time, with the Agency’s support, members of the G7 led the way in helping secure the historic 2015 Paris Climate Agreement to limit global greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2018, IEA analysis supported G7 commitments on offshore wind and on gender equality and diversity in the energy sector. Beginning in 2021, under the UK’s joint presidencies of the G7 and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the IEA advised on the establishment a G7 net zero emissions goal. The agency’s analysis guided a range of initiatives, including decarbonization of the power sector and heavy industry.

In June 2022, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol was invited by the German Presidency to a summit in Elmau where he briefed the leaders of G7 member countries and five partner countries – Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa – on issues related to the growing energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Japan, which assumed the G7 Presidency in 2023, has asked the IEA to support collective action on energy efficiency, gas security, critical minerals and managing the integration of variable renewables.