Australia plays down 'backsliding' by allies on coal, gas use

Australia's new energy minister said on Wednesday the push for clean energy is more important than ever, even as G7 leaders water down climate protection commitments to shore up oil, gas and power supply due to the Ukraine conflict. "I'm not worried about a backsliding of ambition, because I think serious leaders around the world get it that actually the transformation is more important than before," Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told reporters in Canberra. "If you're going to be reliant on gas, it's more important to be increasing your renewables," he said in a televised address.