The key takeaways from G7 nations' pledge to end state funding for coal Photo: Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images G7 environment ministers have pledged to move toward the "absolute end" to financing international development of coal-fired power plants by the end of this year. Why it matters: Their joint communique Friday is a stark statement about how they view the future of the world's most carbon-intensive fuel. The big picture: Here are a few takeaways from the coal pledge... It's most relevant to Japan, which per the climate think tank E3G and other advocates is the world's second-largest international funder of coal plants.