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 propose to balance Italy’s industrial interests with the EU’s climate policies, especially concerning the proposed ban on CO2-emitting vehicles by 2035?
**Interview with Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Prime Minister Meloni. You recently expressed concerns about the EU’s plan to ban CO2-emitting vehicles by 2035, describing it as potentially “self-destructive.” Can you elaborate on your views regarding this policy?
**Meloni:** Thank you for having me. My concern is rooted in the need for a pragmatic approach to environmental policy. Transitioning away from CO2-emitting cars is essential, but we must consider the implications for our industries and economies. If we push too hard without sustainable alternatives, we risk undermining our industrial base. It’s crucial that we pursue technological neutrality and keep all options on the table as we move forward [[1](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/eu-ban-co2-emiting-cars-2035-is-self-destructive-italy-pm-says-2024-09-18/)].
**Interviewer:** You also mentioned at COP29 the importance of a balanced decarbonization process. Can you explain what you mean by this?
**Meloni:** Absolutely. Decarbonization needs to be tailored to fit within our existing production and social systems. A blanket approach that disregards the economic realities and social structures can lead us down a path of failure. That’s why I advocate for solutions that consider local capabilities and existing technologies rather than solely imposing ideals that may not be immediately feasible. We need a comprehensive plan that supports both environmental goals and socio-economic stability [[1](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/eu-ban-co2-emiting-cars-2035-is-self-destructive-italy-pm-says-2024-09-18/)].
**Interviewer:** You mentioned Italy’s financial commitments to climate initiatives. Can you share more about the initiatives Italy is prioritizing?
**Meloni:** Certainly. Italy has allocated over four billion euros from our Climate Fund to support various initiatives, particularly in Africa. This includes contributions to the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund, which aim to support countries facing the harshest impacts of climate change. Our goal is to ensure that our investments promote sustainable growth and effective climate action, engaging multilateral development banks wherever possible [[1](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/eu-ban-co2-emiting-cars-2035-is-self-destructive-italy-pm-says-2024-09-18/)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Prime Minister, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that the road to sustainability is complex but vital for our future.
**Meloni:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important issues.
