“Here we protect the environment even before Davos”. So Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte justified his absence at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, this year focused on the issue of climate change and its consequences, especially on a financial level, instead preferring the encounter with the Italian entrepreneurial world, which en masse joined the Manifesto of Assisi, promoted by the Symbola association, by Ermete Realacci. The meeting also had a strong political value: the prime minister was able to touch what could become his reference area firsthand, that is, the business world attentive to sustainable development and the Catholics of the left, who are among the promoters of this document d intentions, also explicitly inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si'.
The Manifesto of Assisi, "for an economy on a human scale against the climate crisis", is has already been signed by over 2.000 Italian companies and institutions. In addition to the prime minister, the president of the European Parliament David Sassoli and the heads of the large companies involved in the front line were also present, from Enel with CEO Francesco Starace to Terna with the president Catia Bastioli. Here is the text:
“Facing the climate crisis with courage is not only necessary but represents a great opportunity to make our economy and our society more on a human scale and therefore more capable of a future. It is a huge challenge that requires the contribution of the best technological, institutional, political, social and cultural energies. The contribution of all the economic and productive worlds and above all the participation of citizens. The role of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' was and remains important in this direction. We are convinced that, in the presence of serious and forward-looking policies, it is possible to eliminate the net contribution of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
This challenge can renew Europe's mission, giving it strength and centrality. And he can see Italy in the front row. Already today in many sectors, from industry to agriculture, from crafts to services, from design to research, we are protagonists in the field of the circular and sustainable economy. For example, we are first in Europe in terms of the percentage of recycling of the waste produced. Our green economy makes our businesses more competitive and creates jobs by sinking roots, often secular, in a way of producing linked to quality, beauty, efficiency, the history of cities, the positive experiences of communities and territories . It makes social cohesion a productive factor and combines empathy and technology.
A large part of our economy depends on it. Our problems are great and ancient: not only the public debt but social and territorial inequalities, illegality and the black economy, an often inefficient and suffocating bureaucracy, the uncertainty for the present and the future that feeds fears. But Italy is also capable of deploying resources and experiences that we are often unable to exploit. We are convinced that there is nothing wrong in Italy that cannot be corrected with what is right in Italy. The challenge of the climate crisis can be an opportunity to get our country moving in the name of a common and better future.
In any case, within the limits of our possibilities, we will work in this direction, without leaving anyone behind, without leaving anyone alone. An Italy that makes Italy, starting from our best traditions, is essential for this challenge and can make an important contribution to trying to build a civilized, kind world”.
