For the European Parliament that is committed to defending the environment, Pope Francis is also fine. In view of the next UN Conference in Bonn it was approved a new resolution against CO2 emissions: the most dangerous for public health. The planet is in danger and so Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato si" also ended up in the text of the document.
Now the word passes to the national Parliaments for sharing. The commitment is to define by 2018 an efficient and valid climate strategy for all. The UN COP 6 Conference will take place in Bonn from 17 to 23 November and talks will begin. A long-awaited occasion and there shouldn't be any negative voices.
But caution is mandatory these days, given how things are going on the other side of the world with Donald Trump's scissors. In two weeks time, decarbonisation will be discussed in Bonn, a further moment to push forward and concretely demonstrate the compliance of actions with the 2015 Paris Agreement.
National Parliaments should speed up and move away from slow pace. According to Confindustria, every euro of public spending to improve the efficiency of the energy system generates 1,5 euro in employment growth, investments, environmental benefits. If the use of coal effectively stops by 20230, domestic demand could grow by more than 500 billion euros. This is the Italian landscape. In France, the government has just announced 20 billion euros for the next 5 years. The UN goal is 2050 with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by those who produce them.
Times can also be shortened, evidently. When the MEPs discussed the resolution, they recalled "progress in the transport and agriculture sectors, compared to the 2020 targets". Slight progress, however, for various reasons: bureaucratic and of substance. Compared to the UN Conference in Paris 2015, there are those who fear a huge flop and not only (once again) for the positions of the US President. At stake are interests that influence the strategies of a large number of countries.
Geopolitics is a complicated matter, but the only way to continue believing in the objectives of climate change remains the one mapped out, costing years of hard work and mediation. Obviously it takes money. Even in Strasbourg they are convinced, where they started asking banks and financial institutions to align lending and investment practices in favor of applicants. The problem is that the times for obtaining loans and credits must be compatible with those useful for reducing pollution and harmful emissions.
In order to reconvert their equipment and review production cycles, companies need time and economic certainties. Banks must be ready. Companies need to plan ahead. The Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate, envisaged by the European Union itself, acts on this very different context. Italy is getting ready. A recent study by Enea and Cnr has brought together the macro areas of the European energy landscape in a database: traditional sources, renewables, cogeneration storage.
It shouldn't be underestimated, especially when we think about data that certify that 9 out of 10 people die every year from excessive levels of pollution. The European reference to Pope Francis' encyclical, therefore, is fine. It cannot remain only in the premises of a resolution, however perspective. Nor would it be gratifying for a parliament representing 27 countries.
