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 Prime Minister Meloni define “technological neutrality” in the context of Italy’s energy transition strategy discussed at COP29?
**Interview with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Environmental Policy at COP29**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Prime Minister Meloni. Your recent speech at COP29 emphasized the need for a “pragmatic approach” to environmental protection. Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Absolutely. What I meant was that we should focus on practical solutions rather than allowing ideological battles to dictate our strategies. The environmental challenges we face are complex and multifaceted, requiring us to consider diverse options and to be open to technology that has not yet arrived. A pragmatic approach ensures we can adapt and adopt effective methods suited to our current capabilities and resources.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned Italy’s commitment to allocate significant funds to initiatives in Africa and the Green Climate Fund. Could you tell us more about these efforts?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Italy is committed to doing its part, and part of that commitment involves financial contributions. We are allocating over four billion euros from our Climate Fund to support various initiatives in Africa. This is vital not only for addressing local climate challenges but also for fostering global solidarity and collaboration in climate action. Our goal is to enhance the role of multilateral development banks in these endeavors, emphasizing that a collective effort is crucial for success.
**Interviewer:** You stated that decarbonization should consider the sustainability of production and social systems. Why is this consideration important?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** It’s essential because if we push for rapid decarbonization without considering the feasibility for our industries and social structures, we may inadvertently create greater risks and challenges. Sustainability is not merely about reducing emissions; it’s also about ensuring that our economic activities and social systems can thrive alongside our environmental goals. This calls for a balanced approach where we can transition to cleaner technologies without jeopardizing our economic stability or social well-being.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, you emphasized “technological neutrality.” Can you explain this concept in the context of the energy transition?
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Technological neutrality means that we should not favor one specific technology or energy source over another without considering the full scope of benefits and implications. Currently, there isn’t a single solution that can replace fossil fuels completely and sustainably. We must explore all viable energy sources—renewable, nuclear, or transitional fossil fuels—until we are ready to fully transition to an energy landscape that meets both our environmental and economic needs.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Prime Minister Meloni, for sharing your insights on these critical issues.
**Prime Minister Meloni:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we maintain a constructive dialogue on these topics as we move forward in tackling climate change collectively.
