Climate Change and Future Scenarios
in the Arctic Region

ROUND TABLE
(Venice, 11-12th December 2014)

Umberto Vattani

The Arctic Region is with no doubt one of the most important and fascinating areas of the entire world. 
As matter of fact I have been last June in the Svalbard islands to visit the CNR premises.

Italy has a historical link with the Arctic even being a Mediterranean country. Throughout the XX Century Italians have been attracted by the Arctic. Commander Nobile made his first flight over an Arctic area in the twenties and more precisely between Klondike and Alaska. In a second moment let me just recall his expeditions in Norway with Amudsen and finally his scientific cooperation with more than one Arctic country, including the USSR.

Nobile is only the best known among the first Italian explorers in the region. Ever since the Italian interest and presence in the Arctic has constantly increased. Today our commitment is extremely diversified. The CNR cooperates in the Arctic with several European scientists, Norwegian in the first place. Numerous research projects are in progress making use of the infrastructure that the CNR has made available to the national and international communities in the Svalbard, including the scientific station “Dirigibile Italia”, a tower devoted to Climate Change studies. The Italian scientific community has the competence to provide support and inputs in all the working groups that Arctic Council promotes. 
Other important Italian institutions are present:  ENEA (Alternative Energies), ASI (Italian Space Agency) responsible for Italian Cosmo Skymed remote earth observation activities, the National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology, the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics. 
On the other hand allow me to recall Eni, the Italian major oil&gas company. A top player in the Arctic region, with a consolidated position and strong competences. In 1965 Eni started its exploration activities in Norway, and is operator of the first Oil development Project in the Norwegian Arctic. Eni is also present in the Barents Sea (since 1993), where it represents the first foreign player, and is the operator of the development of the first oil field in the Offshore Artic (Goliath). Eni is also present in Western Siberia. 
Such an important and diversified presence  in the area probably makes of Italy one of the most committed non Arctic countries in the Arctic.
On such basis Italy is observer in the Arctic Council since the Kiruna Ministerial of 2013. It is the beginning of a new involvement in the Arctic and for the Arctic, a full commitment not only at SAO's level but also in the Task Forces and working Groups.

Today the Arctic community faces a new challenge: sustainable development in the full respect of the environment which means not only nature but populations. Indigenous populations are most likely the least known problem for non Arctic countries even if we are speaking of human beings. Italy has been carrying on in depth researches on the Inuit people thanks also to the Istituto Polare Zavatti of Fermo, whose Director is with you in Venice today. An important exibition on the Inuit has been inaugurated last Saturday in Cecina Italy organized by the Geiger Foundation. We are fully aware that the culture of these populations has to be safeguarded as part of the overall heritage of human kind. Climate change risks to jeopardize the traditional ways of life and their culture.

Protecting the environment goes hand in hand with  defending indigenous populations. The role and commitment of the private sector is vital in this respect. Eni, is extremely sensitive to natural and human environment and since the very beginning of its presence in the Arctic has been committed to the defense of environment. ENI is involved in many projects in the Arctic area regarding health, safety and the environment (HSE) and focused on research and development into environmental matters, reducing the risks linked to climate change. 

We have under consideration a draft document to outline Italy's policy in the Arctic that I hope we will be able to define in the next few months. 
According to Italy, firstly, is important to have a dialogue with Arctic Countries within the Arctic Council and bilaterally with the single Arctic countries.
Secondly, a greater participation of civil society on Arctic-related issues is required. 

Our the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been promoting and supporting seminars and workshops concerning the Arctic. The last one has taken place in October with the help of Arctic Countries Embassies in Rome and contributed to give a further push forward to awareness. 
Italy is fully committed in contributing to a sustainable development of the Arctic region and facing the challenges of global warming.

I wish you a fruitful discussion.
Thank you