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G7 MEMBER STATES 029Above: Miguel Arias Cañeteinternational partners and further encourage and facilitate the development of carbon markets around the world. A concrete example is our ongoing cooperation with China to support the implementation of the seven existing regional pilot systems and the development of the nation-wide emission trading system from 2017.G7 LEADING BY EXAMPLEThe global nature of climate change calls for action across the world, as no country is exempt from its devastating effects. I believe it is the responsibility of the leading industrial nations to set an example. The G7 countries have the ability and resources to put systems and regulations in place to rebalance investment across the energy sector, and lead the rest of the world towards a low-carbon economy.The G7 Summit provides us with a crucial opportunity to align practices and present to the world our support for not only the signing and ratification of the Paris Agreement, but also the implementation of the intended contributions and support to the poorest and most vulnerable countries. The G7 should also align positions for other important upcoming climate events this year – such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly. The international aviation sector is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, and adopting a global market-based measure to address emissions from this sector, as agreed in ICAO in 2013, would be one of the first concrete climate milestones after COP21. Another key change that needs to be achieved is the removal of fossil fuel subsidies. These subsidies undermine global efforts and climate ambition. Fossil fuel subsidies are one of the biggest obstacles to innovation in clean technologies, as demonstrated by the G20 and G7 calls for their elimination. However, little progress has been achieved on this front. Consequently, efforts to eliminate such subsidies should be strengthened, and what better forum to agree on a joint plan of action than the G7. We have a long road ahead of us to achieve the goals we set ourselves in Paris. Transforming our energy sector will require solid measures to reduce emissions, and the shifting and scaling up of investment towards clean energy. It will be a challenging path, but if we work together we will get there. I would like to conclude with a message of hope. Our efforts on climate change are bearing fruit. Global energy emissions stalled again in 2015, and the main reason is the surge of renewable power around the world, according to the International Energy Agency. We must continue to build on this for the sake of future generations. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORMiguel Arias Cañete is the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, and has served in this role since 1 November 2014. Mr Cañete is the first Commissioner with a single responsibility for those two policy areas. He oversees the EU Directorates General for Climate and Energy, which have remained two separate entities. Mr Cañete studied law at the Complutense University of Madrid and after graduating in 1974 he joined the Spanish Civil Service working as a State Attorney. In 1978, he became a professor of Law at the University of Cadiz. In 1982 he left his teaching post as was elected a member of the Parliament of Andalusia until 1986. After serving in the Andalusian parliament, he became a Member of the European Parliament upon Spain’s accession to the EU in 1986. He stayed until 1999, heading the Committees on Agriculture and Regional Development. Mr Cañete served as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Spain from 2000 until 2004. He also served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment in the Spanish Government from 2011 until 2014, before being selected to head his Party List in the European Parliamentary elections.