Tackling climate change and the energy transition are some of the biggest challenges we face. And they touch everyone. We who feel obligated to leave a better world to the generations following ours; and young people who will become the main heroes of this world. I spoke about this on the last day of “Europe with Worth” with 500 girls and boys.. Starting with the commitments that Europe is making, I listened to the ideas of young people in schools in an interactive way, getting them to vote and participate in debate through a participatory democracy app.
As always, it was extraordinary to see how much enthusiasm and preparation there was in Meritare l’Europa, the political school headed by Matteo Renzi of Italia Viva and Renew Europe.. To break the ice, I started with a provocation by asking the guys whether they think climate change exists or not. For new generations (and hopefully for mine too), there is no doubt that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have an undeniable impact on global warming. Science is unanimous in this sense.
The next million dollar question: When polled on a 1 to 5 numerical scale regarding the position between maximum environmental protection and maximum economic growth, young reformists fell exactly in the middle (2.5). Behind this answer lies The big challenge for the European Union is to make the Green Deal not an (un)happy strategy for economic growth, but a plan for sustainable industrial development.which can combine attention to our planet with support for green investments.
So what is Europe doing in this area? In 2021, we voted for legislation that is unprecedented in its ambition and complexity. European climate law which sets two important emissions reduction targets. The first is the 2050 plan: achieving climate neutrality, that is, a complete – or at least offset – reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Young people confirmed that they are very prepared in this regard by voting correctly for the interim target for reducing emissions by 2030, i.e. by 55% compared to 1990. Twitter. Instead, we need laws that encourage the development of green technologies, funds that enable the transition, and rules that set pollution limits. That’s why Europe is equipped with the Fit for 55 package..
On the ambitions of the 2030 and 2050 goals members of Meritare l’Europa have shown some further division: many think these are achievable goals and that we should do more. And for a significant minority, we are already doing too much. The EU is one of the few regions in the world to have reduced emissions over the past 20 years. Today we account for about 9-10% of global emissions, with China accounting for 30%, USA 15%, India 7%, Russia 5%. So it is clear that we cannot defeat climate change alone.. And many other countries around the world seem unwilling to go down the same path as us, at least not at the same speed. Despite these data, The vast majority of young people from Italia Viva believe that Europe, historically one of the biggest polluters, must set an example and therefore become a world leader in the fight against climate change..
I leave this three-day political school more motivated and inspired than ever.. I also take on the important responsibility of being a voice for young voices to be heard. For this reason, I will fight – as I have always done in recent years – to put the environment at the center of the European Parliament. I will do this, as demanded by the young people of Meritare l’Europa, with a pragmatic and non-ideological approach, fighting for a Europe that is a leader in sustainable investment and green technologies, combining the energy transition and economic development.
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