Being forerunners on certain topics is not enough, you need to have the courage to sum up and move forward to aspire to even more challenging goals, especially in the philanthropic non-profit sector. I see no other way to live my life. And give Mission 3 on Education and Research and from Mission 5 on Social Cohesion and Inclusion of the PNRR we must draw definitive indications to guide our projects which, in addition to having a measurable social impact, must become a strong and widespread social commitment between individuals and institutions, because the game of sustainability does not include extra time.
The starting point with which we presented ourselves at COP26 and to preside over this G20 is that of a country which is at the 25th place for digitization out of 28 European Union countries (DESI index). The crucial underestimation error we are making on an issue at the heart of the European Green New Deal is therefore evident. Implement professionalism who will be able to manage the technological and ecological transformation of the country means looking at the changing world of work and requiring different skills from male and female workers, bearing in mind that digital can offer medium and small businesses excellent opportunities for growth and partnership and above all allow companies to become more competitive.
Other important indications come from the data of the EIGE European Index on Gender Equality 2021 according to which Italy remains below the European average - practically stuck in 14th place since 2018 - with a deficit on the issues of knowledge, work and education. Progress has been made in health and political representation, but we are the country with the lowest number of graduates in Europe, only Romania worse than us, and the highest female unemployment rate. By virtue of these data, the Government's national strategy for artificial intelligence and that on gender equality will have to take into account that the starting point is dramatically far from the standards that have allowed other countries such as France, Portugal and Spain to do these battles the best opportunity to recover economic growth and social welfare.
For us, regenerating the education, work and digital ecosystems means creating the best conditions for reduce social inequalities which ballast the economic recovery and also fully implement participatory democracy.
THEfinancial education it therefore becomes an essential tool for individual well-being, to allow citizens to achieve full emancipation and economic freedom. It is in fact an equalizer of opportunities through which to raise a new generation more aware and prepared to face life choices that are confronted with a complex reality because it is conditioned by a pandemic that has had a very high social cost.
The Cop26 meeting closed promising the opening of a new dialogue for fight the climate crisis between the two superpowers, China and the USA, which pollute and produce CO2 the most. An approach that strengthens the hope that the goal of keeping the temperature increase below 1,5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels is achievable. However, we must also remember the sneaky ones of the last hour, namely China and India, who rowed against the official communiqué, imposing the replacement of the word "elimination" with “reduction” of the use of coal.
All this list of intentions and good intentions needs not only political actions and reforms but also un huge amount of funding. Precisely for this reason, sustainable finance emerges as a protagonist from these days of COP26, which is why we have decided to place our Annual Event within the Week of Sustainable and Responsible Investments, organized by the Forum for Sustainable Finance. Our aim is to underline there can be no green transition without respectful finance ESG criteria, which are now a transversal global phenomenon that has changed not only the nature of financial products but also the approach to investments and the choices of savers.
A recent research by Deloitte on Italy quantifies and translates compliance with the pre-set limits into 470 new jobs per year and +3,3% of GDP for the next 50 years, while warning of how a deviation towards a 3° increase in temperature would cause economic and environmental damage exceeding 1000 billion euros.
This union of intentions between green finance, the 2030 Agenda and sustainability was ratified in Glasgow, with “the GFanz, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for net zero” led by exponents of Anglo-Saxon finance of excellence such as Michael Bloomberg, the former Governor of the Bank of England Carney and other important partnerships.
Over 450 companies representing 50 countries have committed to provide financial support for the transition energy over the next 30 years and at the same time defined concrete action to significantly cut harmful emissions immediately to reach zero by 2050. Under the supervision of the G20, however, this group will have to demonstrate that it is also capable of putting a brake on funding for fossil fuels and this will be the priority, together with support for emerging countries, at the center of a planned action of great importance and very difficult.
Whoever emerges victorious from this debate is and remains an active intent for a paradigm shift towards the dictates of the circular economy, which represents the basis for culturally changing a globalized world in search of a new compass for survival. We are certain that it is essential for us to unite to face, conscientiously and ethically, an energy and environmental transition that is more necessary than ever, which will lead to widespread benefits and a redistribution of opportunities for social participation. Education and work are therefore central to a sustainability that is collective progress, social responsibility and respect for the rules, but also the diversity it strengthens and the wonder of an environment that will host us with greater gratitude because we have shown it due respect.
