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 can international financial commitments, like those from Italy to Africa, enhance global resilience against climate change impacts?**
**Interview with Dr. Samira Rossi, Environmental Policy Expert**
**Host:** Good afternoon, Dr. Rossi, and thank you for joining us today. There’s a lot of buzz around Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent statements at COP29 in Baku. She emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach to environmental protection. What are your thoughts on this perspective?
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. Prime Minister Meloni’s call for a pragmatic approach resonates well with current discussions in environmental policy. It reflects a shift away from rigid ideological frameworks toward solutions that are adaptive and responsive to the realities we face in climate change.
**Host:** What do you think is the significance of her commitment to technological neutrality in the decarbonization process?
**Dr. Rossi:** Technological neutrality is crucial. It recognizes that there’s no single solution to our reliance on fossil fuels. Instead, we need a variety of technologies to address climate change effectively. This approach allows for innovation and flexibility, ensuring that we can adapt our strategies over time as new technologies emerge and as we learn from our experiences.
**Host:** She also mentioned Italy’s financial commitments, particularly to the African continent. How important is international collaboration in tackling climate issues?
**Dr. Rossi:** International collaboration is vital. Climate change knows no borders, and its impacts are disproportionately felt by vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries. Italy’s financial support for initiatives like the Green Climate Fund not only helps these nations but also enhances global resilience against climate impacts, fostering a cooperative effort that can lead to more sustainable outcomes.
**Host:** Meloni warned against the risks associated with a purely ideological approach. Can you elaborate on what those risks might look like?
**Dr. Rossi:** Absolutely. An ideological approach can lead to polarization, where stakeholders become entrenched in their positions, making collaboration difficult. This can stifle innovation and prevent pragmatic solutions from being explored. For instance, if we focus solely on a single energy source or technology, we may overlook potentially effective alternatives that could mitigate climate impacts more rapidly.
**Host:** given the urgency of addressing climate change, do you believe Italy and other nations are moving quickly enough towards these pragmatic solutions?
**Dr. Rossi:** While Italy is taking steps in the right direction, there’s always room for improvement. The pace of change is often too slow relative to the challenges we face. A concerted effort to implement more adaptable, experience-based policies as highlighted in recent environmental literature could help hasten progress. We need policies that are not only well-intentioned but also flexible enough to adapt to new information and technologies as they arise [[1](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320710001618)].
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights. It’s clear that a balanced, pragmatic approach can guide us toward more effective environmental policies. We look forward to seeing how these discussions evolve at COP29 and beyond.
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation that we must continue!
