Attempts thus far have yielded no fruitful results
Under the Paris Agreement on climate change, nations, including Italy, are mandated to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - comprehensive, nation-specific plans outlining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. These NDCs, initially due by 2020, are to be updated every five years to reflect increased ambition.
As per the Paris Agreement, these submissions should include emission reduction targets, climate adaptation plans, and an implementation strategy detailing the means to achieve set targets. For instance, the United States committed to reducing emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, while the EU promised a reduction of at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030.
Italy, being an EU member state, participates within the broader EU commitment rather than setting its individual target for the Paris Agreement. The EU’s initial NDC target was a reduction of at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, but it later increased to at least 55% as part of the European Green Deal.
However, Italy faces challenges in meeting its climate goals. The Climate Risk Index 2020 ranks Italy sixth globally for deaths related to the harmful effects of climate change. Moreover, Italy lost 14 billion in its agricultural sector in 2018, and the economy has been projected to lose two points of GDP since 1999 due to climate change impacts.
To tackle these issues, Italy needs to review its CO2 emissions, primarily from high-emission subjects such as air operators, industrial thermoelectric plants, manufacturing and production plants, storage, and transport. Additionally, citizens and businesses must also address their carbon footprints.
Italy's NDC, submitted in alignment with the EU's collective target, aims for a 33% reduction in emissions by 2030 (relative to 2005). However, with the revised EU target set at a 55% reduction, a more ambitious approach is required. Stefano Caserini, a professor at the Politecnico di Milano and member of Italian Climate Network, opines that Italy must change gears from 2020 onwards to achieve these new targets.
Italy is encouraged to invest in the energy sector, with a focus on reducing subsidies for fossil fuels, which currently amount to 18.8 billion euros. Additionally, import duties on products from countries that lack climate commitments could favor "Made in Italy green" products.
The world of renewables in Italy has been stagnant since 2014. According to Sergio Ferraris, the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) will likely need to be revised to accommodate the new targets. More emphasis should be placed on an industrial policy plan revolving around renewables.
Agriculture and the seas can also contribute significantly to emissions reduction efforts. Regenerating soil can help absorb CO2 and improve soil resilience and fertility. An updated authorization framework will provide significant support for wind and solar energy in Italy, as the current one dates back a decade.
With the original NDCs due by 2020 and subsequent deadlines missed by many countries, it is crucial for Italy to act promptly and submit more ambitious NDCs that reflect updated science and political priorities. A comprehensive Climate Decree, focusing on renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, industrial processes, and land use policies, may be necessary to meet these challenging targets.
- The Paris Agreement requires Italy, along with other nations, to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that include emission reduction targets, climate adaptation plans, and an implementation strategy.
- To achieve more ambitious climate goals, Italy needs to significantly revise its NDC, potentially investing in the energy sector by reducing subsidies for fossil fuels, developing an industrial policy plan for renewables, and updating its authorization framework for wind and solar energy.
- Given the stagnation in the renewables sector since 2014 and the delayed submission of NDCs by many countries, it is critical for Italy to submit updated NDCs reflecting current science and political priorities, possibly through the implementation of a comprehensive Climate Decree.
