G7 vows to step up moves towards renewable energy

G7 ministers on climate, energy and environment pose for a photo in Sapporo, northern Japan (Hiro Komae/AP)

Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy nations have vowed to work to hasten the shift towards cleaner, renewable energy.

But they set no timetable for phasing out coal-fired power plants as they wrapped up two days of talks in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.