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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How does Dr. Mancini view the significance of Italy’s financial commitments to Africa in the context of global climate change initiatives?
**Interview with Dr. Laura Mancini, Environmental Policy Expert, on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Remarks at COP29**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mancini. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently addressed the COP29 conference, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic rather than ideological approach to environmental protection. What are your thoughts on this perspective?
**Dr. Mancini:** Thank you for having me. I believe Prime Minister Meloni’s comments reflect a critical shift in the dialogue around climate policy. A pragmatic approach can indeed foster realistic solutions that are tailored to individual countries’ contexts, especially those that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
**Interviewer:** She mentioned Italy’s commitment to allocate a significant portion of its Climate Fund towards the African continent. How important is international support in combating climate change, especially for developing regions?
**Dr. Mancini:** It’s essential. Developing countries, particularly in Africa, face unique challenges such as limited resources and climate vulnerabilities. Financial support, like the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund, can help these nations implement sustainable practices while adapting to climate impacts. Italy’s commitment is a positive step in building global resilience.
**Interviewer:** Prime Minister Meloni also spoke about the importance of technological neutrality in the decarbonization process. Can you elaborate on what this means and its implications?
**Dr. Mancini:** Technological neutrality means that policies should not favor one technology over another, allowing for a diverse range of solutions in the energy transition. This is crucial because it encourages innovation and enables countries to use the technologies that best fit their specific situations, whether that’s renewables, nuclear, or carbon capture technologies. As she stated, there is currently no single alternative to fossil fuels, so a flexible approach is necessary.
**Interviewer:** how can governments balance the need for immediate action against climate change with the economic and social impacts of transitioning away from fossil fuels?
**Dr. Mancini:** It’s a delicate balance, but essential. Policymakers need to engage with communities and industries to understand their concerns and needs. Transition plans should include training programs for workers in fossil fuel industries, investments in green job sectors, and measures to ensure that energy remains affordable. Sustainable transitions require inclusive and equitable strategies that prioritize social systems alongside environmental goals.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Mancini, for sharing your insights on this critical issue.
**Dr. Mancini:** Thank you for having me.
