From 1993 until today. Eni and the Municipality of Ravenna meet for the ninth time together in the field of hydrocarbons. It is a historic area for the Six-legged Dog Society which has consolidated plants here in the exploitation of energy potential. The municipal council has said yes to the new agreement which provides for the disbursement of a contribution of 2 million euros from Eni for sustainable projects. A solved case that has national significance.
The new agreement concerns environmental monitoring, coastal conservation, energy and sustainability, economic development. Scenarios at the center of political and trade union disputes with environmental associations who want to evaluate the new agreement in detail. Coinciding with the global climate strike of Fridays for Future, Legambiente, the Emilia-Romagna Climate Emergency Network and other organizations have called a day of study on the approved protocol. Very relaxed atmosphere, however, in the Municipality where the Mayor Michael de Pascale supports the validity of the agreement and the long collaboration with Eni.
Respect for ecological balances must be a priority. When you touch the buttons of development, employment and sustainability, you have to be cautious. Ravenna recognizes natural gas as an important energy source in the transition towards an energy system with a lower environmental impact. Jobs are not at risk. But, declared the Mayor, the difficult moment we are experiencing makes the agreement even more precious. «It confirms Eni's commitment as one of the most important economic actors for Ravenna, for the development of the territory through the use of advanced and innovative technologies».
The choices are inspired by sustainable development models, therefore maximum attention to the observation of erosion and geodynamic phenomena and to respect for the biodiversity of the natural coastal areas. Tourism and natural beauty must not be affected by industrial activities. We will see. As for the energy chapter and sustainability, the Company led by Claudio Descalzi will have to pay attention to the objectives of the Action Plan for Sustainable Energy and Climate (SEAP) of the Municipality, without neglecting related activities and overall turnover.
On a more general level, the planned activities must also take into account the Plan for the Sustainable Energy Transition of Suitable Areas (PiTESAI) that the Minister of Energy Transition Roberto Cingolani has undertaken to present by 30 September. Eni recalls that upstream activities and the territories where they take place can get along by seeking a synthesis between environmental, economic and social sustainability. The same spirit that ultimately animates environmentalists. Fears about negative impacts are widespread throughout Italy.
In terms of industry and the environment to be combined in a responsible way, the Ravenna area has long been an area of experimentation and concertation. Here the plan – also by Eni – Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for the storage of CO2 in old depleted gas wells is underway. The project to conserve up to 500 million tons of resource goes in the direction of decarbonisation "not only of Eni's activities but also of other industrial realities", recalls the Company. High-tech operation to mitigate pollution and climate shocks. It can also be useful to Minister Cingolani. There ecological and energy transition is particularly topical, not just because of the recently established super ministry, but because of widely known climate and environmental emergencies, environmentalists say. They are fighting to "get out of coal, oil, natural gas, up to the use of only renewable sources". An intriguing but complex journey, along which there are intermediate stages such as this one in Ravenna. For the ninth time.
