We need a “pragmatic approach” and not an “ideological” one if we want to protect the environment. Thus Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke this morning in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the occasion of Cop29, the 29th UN Conference on climate change. “Italy intends to continue to do its part. We already allocate a large part of the over four billion euros of the Climate Fund to the African continent and we will continue to support initiatives such as the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund, as well as promote the involvement of multilateral development banks. It is equally a priority that the decarbonization process takes into consideration the sustainability of our production and social systems theme risks leading us astray towards success. The right path is that of technological neutrality, because currently there is no single alternative to supplying from fossil fuels”, stated the Prime Minister.
“We need a balanced energy mix to improve the transition process. We must use all available technologies. Not only renewables, but also gas, biofuels, hydrogen, CO2 capture and, in the future, nuclear fusion which could produce clean, safe and unlimited energy. Italy is at the forefront of fusion nuclear energy”, explained Meloni. “This summit, for which I thank the Azerbaijani presidency, is called to give further impetus to the commitment to limit the increase in global temperature to within 1.5 degrees,” he said. At COP28 in Dubai “we set ourselves ambitious objectives: to triple the capacity to generate renewable energy in the world and double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. To achieve these objectives, everyone’s collaboration is needed – starting from the main greenhouse gas emitters – as well as adequate financial support”.
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What are the potential impacts of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s “pragmatic approach” on Italy’s climate policies?
**Interview with Climate Expert Dr. Elena Rossi on PM Giorgia Meloni’s Remarks at COP29**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rossi. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized a “pragmatic approach” to environmental protection during her speech at COP29 in Baku. What do you think she means by this?
**Dr. Rossi**: Thank you for having me. When Prime Minister Meloni speaks of a pragmatic approach, she is advocating for practical and realistic solutions to climate change rather than adhering strictly to ideological positions. This is crucial because climate change requires us to balance environmental goals with economic sustainability and social needs.
**Interviewer**: She mentioned Italy’s significant financial contributions to climate initiatives, especially in Africa. How important is international collaboration in tackling climate change?
**Dr. Rossi**: International collaboration is vital. Climate change is a global issue that transcends borders, and it disproportionately affects vulnerable countries, often in the Global South. Italy’s investment in initiatives like the Green Climate Fund demonstrates an understanding that supporting developing nations is essential for comprehensive climate action.
**Interviewer**: The Prime Minister also recognized the necessity of considering the sustainability of production and social systems. How can countries achieve this balance?
**Dr. Rossi**: Achieving this balance requires integrating sustainability into economic and social planning. This means investing in green technologies, promoting circular economies, and ensuring social equity. Policymakers must acknowledge that transition to a low-carbon economy needs to be just and inclusive to ensure public support and minimize disruptions to livelihoods.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, she mentioned the concept of “technological neutrality.” What does this mean in practice for climate policy?
**Dr. Rossi**: Technological neutrality means that governments should not favor specific technologies over others in their policy frameworks. Instead, they should support a range of solutions, from renewable energy sources to innovations in carbon capture and storage. This approach encourages innovation and allows markets to determine the most effective solutions for reducing carbon emissions.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Rossi. Your insights are invaluable as we continue to navigate these complex challenges.
**Dr. Rossi**: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep these discussions going as we strive for effective climate action.