The world is facing a crucial turning point in the fight against climate change: after the unanimous commitment of almost 200 countries at COP28 in Dubai for the gradual abandonment of fossil fuels, the G7 is preparing to play a key role. In fact, right at TurinFrom 28 to 30 April, G7 members will demonstrate how they intend to translate the commitments made in Dubai.
But what should we expect? On the morning of Tuesday 23 April, during a briefing Luca Bergamaschidirector and co-founder of Here you arethe independent Italian climate think tank, e Andrea Ghiandacommunications manager of Here you arespoke precisely about this, highlighting strengths and critical points.
Future objectives: what will be discussed at the G7
This year’s G7 is part of the “road to Belém”, a journey that will end at Cop30 in Brazil in 2025, a summit that will be crucial as the countries signing the Paris Agreement will have to present new emission reduction plans to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
But before arriving in Brazil there will be a stop in Baku: in fact, Cop29 will be held in November and another crucial point of discussion will be the climate financewhich provides a budget to support the investments necessary to reduce emissions and address climate impacts.
The next stop, however, as seen, will be Turin: the summit of the next few days takes on unprecedented importance as Member countries will have to send a clear and strong signal to all citizens, businesses and investors on the necessity and feasibility of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
To achieve this goal, according to Bergamaschi, three fundamental pillars must be considered: a strategic framework for transition, energy transition and global support. But let’s proceed in order.
Starting from the strategic dimension, the G7 will have to agree on a strategic plan aimed at designing national transition plans for the entire economy, in order to limit the increase in temperatures to 1.5 °C. And these plans will have to illustrate exactly how they intend to gradually abandon fossil fuels and adopt renewable sources.
Speaking instead of energy transitionin Turin it will be essential to indicate how countries intend to transition from fossil fuels to renewables and improve energy efficiency: this is a process which, however, will have to be accompanied by investments in infrastructure and technologies enabling the energy transition, such as electricity grids and batteries.
In the end, theThe G7 will need to offer support to developing countries to implement global climate resilience: this – they underline – will have to include an increase in direct financial flows and a review of financial rules to guarantee fair access to multilateral financing.
The role of Italy
And since Italy is the host country, it will play a key role in guiding the negotiations: Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin will have to balance the different priorities and avoid focusing on marginal or obsolete technologies for decarbonization.
Second Here you areIndeed, investing in biofuels or nuclear energy would be an impractical choice: the former have a limited impact on reducing emissions, while nuclear is expensive and takes a long time to implement. But there is an urgent need to focus on immediate and economical solutions, such as renewables and energy efficiency, which can guarantee a safe and sustainable transition.
In short, the G7 in Turin represents a unique opportunity for accelerate the transition towards a green economy and to demonstrate to the world that the fight against climate change is an absolute priority. But bold, concrete actions will be needed to meet this challenge.
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