Meloni says Italy to stick to Paris climate targets

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday (7 November) at the COP27 summit that Italy's new right-wing government is committed to decarbonisation in accordance with the Paris climate accord.

The 2015 Paris Agreement signed by signatories had committed to achieving a long-term goal to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5degC above preindustrial levels. This is the threshold at which scientists fear that climate change will spiral out of control, EU Reporter informs.

Meloni stated that "despite a complex international situation, already affected and further disrupted due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine", Italy is committed to continuing its decarbonization pathway in full conformity with the Paris Agreement goals.

Meloni said in English that she intends to make a just transition to help the affected communities, and that no one should be left behind. This is her first address at a major international summit, since taking office last month.

It has drastically reduced its dependence on Russian gas after the invasion of Ukraine in February. Meloni stated that Italy would continue its energy diversification strategy with African countries.

She stated that nations must do more to address the climate crisis.

"Fighting climate changes is a shared effort that requires the full participation of all countries as well as pragmatic co-operation among all global actors.

"Unfortunately, we must admit that this isn't happening," she said.