The centrality of climate change and environmental protection in the global and EU debate is an increasingly relevant aspect of Italy’s foreign policy. In fact, our country -which is on a virtuous path in terms of concrete commitments on climate and energy transition towards clean sources – plays a leading role in the main international forums dedicated to the issue, from which the international community’s actual level of ambition towards an increasingly pressing global challenge will emerge.
In terms of content, in line with the global leadership role played by the EU, Italy has fully met the greenhouse gas reduction targets set for 2020 and has re-launched its commitment to more ambitious goals for 2030, but with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This is a long-term strategy that is likely to have a radical transformative impact on our economy and society, aimed at achieving “zero” in the balance between CO2 emissions and removals.
The outlined framework naturally requires complex and articulate actions, both internally and internationally, to be turned into timely, coherent and coordinated follow-up. The Foreign Ministry is increasingly committed to ensuring an action of stimulation, analysis and coordination of international environment and climate activities, in constant liaison with the various competent Administrations (PDC, MITE, MISE, MEF, MIMS, MIPAAF, etc.), as well as in synergy with the recognised excellence that Italy can boast in the world of business, research and civil society.
It is in this context that, inter alia, our climate diplomacy is being pursued, with which we intend to develop – in close collaboration with our EU and transatlantic partners, as well as in contexts such as the G7 and G20 and in the context of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement – a joint action to raise awareness and collaborate with the main CO2 emitters at global level (the so-called big emitters), by paying increasing attention to climate finance – through the global mobilisation of the resources needed by developing countries to meet this momentous challenge – and to young leaders for climate action.
This is a particularly complex challenge, given the diversity of opinions and interests held by the various countries and regional blocs, but at the same time of great political relevance, targeted to developing countries, in particular, as well as to the countries with insufficiently ambitious plans.