The centrality of climate change and environmental protection in the ongoing debate at global level and within the EU represents an increasingly characterising element of the Italian foreign policy. Our country is set on a virtuous path of sound climate commitments and steady transition to clean energy sources, which allows us to play a leading role in the main international fora dedicated to this topic.
Italy – in line with the global environmental leadership played by the EU – has fully achieved its climate reduction targets set for 2020 and committed to even more ambitious ones by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This is part of a long-term strategy aimed at ultimately reaching the “zero sum” between CO2 emissions and absorption, by fostering a profound transformation of our economy and society. Italy promotes a pragmatic ecological transition based on the principle of technological neutrality, capable of blending environmental protection with the safeguard of our citizens and the competitiveness of the economic system.
This framework requires a complex and multifaceted action, both on the domestic and international sides, to be translated into timely, coherent, and coordinated policies. The Farnesina is increasingly committed to encouraging, analysing, and coordinating international activities on climate and the environment together with all other relevant public administrations (PDC, MASE, MIMIT, MEF, MIT, MASAF, etc.), as well as in synergy with the renowned Italian excellencies in the fields of business, research, and civil society.
It is in this context that our climate diplomacy unfolds, through which we pursue a joint sensibilisation and collaboration action towards big CO2 emitters in international fora such as the G7, G20 and UNFCCC, in cooperation with our EU and transatlantic partners. Our aim is to raise awareness towards climate finance – the global mobilisation of resources needed to address the epochal challenges faced by developing countries – and youth leadership for climate action.
It is a particularly complex challenge, given the many different views and interests held by countries and regional blocs, but at the same time of great political value, paying special attention to the needs of developing economies and countries whose national plans still lack the required ambitiousness.