German Energy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday the G7 countries could accelerate a pivot away from fossil fuels by agreeing to phase out coal power generation.

"The G-7 . . . can perhaps take on a certain pioneering role to push forward ending the use of coal for electricity and in decarbonising the transport system," he said.

Mr Habeck said the issue could be carried forward to the G-7 leaders summit in Elmau, Germany, next month and then to the meeting of the Group of 20 leading and emerging economies later this year.

Getting G20 countries to sign on to the ambitious targets set by some of the most advanced economies will be key, as countries such as China, India and Indonesia remain heavily reliant on coal.

A draft communique, seen by Reuters news agency ahead of the May 25-27 talks, showed the G7 would consider committing to a phase-out of coal by 2030, though sources suggested that opposition from the United States and Japan could derail such a pledge.