The G7 countries have reached concrete agreements to phase out coal energy and expand renewable energy production, German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said, Reuters reports.

The pledge will be the G7's first commitment to phasing out coal, which must be cut back if the world is to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

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

The final communiqué of the three-day G7 meeting in Berlin this week will also focus on protecting biodiversity and combating plastic pollution, she said.