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 specific actions is Italy taking to support climate initiatives in Africa as part of its financial commitment?
**Interview with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Climate Policy at COP29**
**Editor:** Good morning, Prime Minister Meloni. Thank you for joining us today. You emphasized the need for a “pragmatic approach” to environmental protection during your speech at COP29 in Baku. Can you elaborate on what you mean by this approach?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. When I speak of a pragmatic approach, I mean that we must focus on effective and realistic solutions rather than getting lost in ideological debates. We need to recognize the complexities of the climate crisis and find ways to balance environmental goals with economic viability.
**Editor:** You mentioned Italy’s financial commitment to climate initiatives, particularly in Africa. What specific programs are you prioritizing?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Italy is proud to allocate a significant part of our Climate Fund, over four billion euros, to support projects on the African continent. We’re focusing on initiatives like the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund. Additionally, we are working to enhance the collaboration with multilateral development banks to ensure that these funds translate into tangible outcomes.
**Editor:** You also touched on the importance of technological neutrality in the decarbonization process. Can you explain why this is crucial?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Absolutely. Technological neutrality means that we don’t favor one technology over another. Right now, we have to acknowledge that there is no single substitute for fossil fuels that can meet our energy needs immediately. Therefore, we must explore a range of energy sources and innovations while ensuring that our social and production systems remain sustainable. This balance is key to achieving long-term success.
**Editor:** What role do you see Italy playing in global climate negotiations like COP29 moving forward?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Italy is committed to being a proactive player in global climate negotiations. We will continue to advocate for balanced, actionable strategies that consider both environmental sustainability and economic realities. Our goal is to lead by example and to work collaboratively with other nations to tackle the challenges ahead.
**Editor:** Thank you, Prime Minister Meloni, for sharing your insights today. Your pragmatic approach to climate policy is certainly a topic of great interest.
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for our planet, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important issues.
