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July 22, 2021From the fight against climate change to the acceleration of the ecological transition, from the prospects of a sustainable and inclusive restart, made possible by innovative technological solutions, to the development of “smart” and resilient cities. The objectives are shared by all, on paper. The problem is to agree on how and by what deadlines. The G20 Environment, Climate and Energy, starting today in Naples (ends tomorrow 23 July), starts with the premise of pushing the international community towards "more ambitious goals" of climate policy and preparing the ground for summits such as the United Nations Conference on climate change 2021, scheduled in Glasgow in the autumn and co-organized by the UK and Italy. Today's day will be dedicated to the Environment, that of the 23rd to Energy and Climate,for the first time as a couple at the G20. The Minister of Ecological Transition, Roberto Cingolani, who is receiving his colleagues, did the honors.
Naples armored for the event: about 2,200 police forces in the field
It is an armored Naples that woke up this morning for the G20 summit on climate, environment and energy, scheduled until tomorrow 23 July at the Palazzo Real. The Neapolitan municipality has issued a traffic device that provides for the stop to cars and pedestrians that goes from Piazza Trieste and Trento, to Piazza del Plebiscito, up to the Lungomare di via Partenope, including via Nazario Sauro. The area has been completely cordoned off with New Jersey and concessions for the tables of bars and restaurants in the area are also suspended.
The historic Gambrinus bar will also close the entrances on the Piazza Trieste and Trento and Piazza del Plebiscito side. Strengthened controls at Capodichino Airport, at the port and in Piazza Municipio, the parking reserved for City Sightseeing tour buses at Cavalli di Bronzo has been suspended. In the 'Red Zone', relating to the maximum security zone and in the 'orange' zone (reserved), no marches and demonstrations of any kind will be possible, even if the Prefect of Naples, Marco Valentini, has assured that he will guarantee "every form of dissent and opposition as long as they are expressed in compliance with the law ". Moreover, for the event that will see Naples" under the eyes of the world ", the Prefect has ensured a 'protected' city with 2000 agents. , carabinieri,army and harbor master's office. In addition, there will be about 200 municipal police officers on the street every day. In order not to leave anything to chance, an anti-terrorism exercise was also held on Tuesday 20 July, which simulated a terrorist attack with wounded and hostage-taking.
The event, which will bring over 50 foreign delegations with ministers from all over the world to Naples, was organized in compliance with Covid regulations: the outcome of a negative swab was necessary in the last 48 hours for both the international delegates and for journalists and professionals. The countries that are part of the G20 represent more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of the planet's population and are: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea , France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom, Russia, United States, South Africa, Turkey and the European Union. To these is added Spain, which is a permanent guest of the G20.
Kerry: "We are at a turning point for a cleaner world"
"By defending the environment we have the real possibility of improving people's lives and we are on the eve of the greatest change since the industrial revolution". This was stated by the US special envoy on climate, John Kerry, in an interview with Repubblica. "My impression is that individual countries want to do better in protecting the environment and they want to do it now," explains Kerry. "Your ministers, like Cingolani, are doing a great job, they are very competent. I met Prime Minister Draghi and he was very clear with me in describing Italy's ambitions: not only to accompany Cop26 to success but also to indicate the road to the future. The co-presidency of Italy and Great Britain for COP26 gives us hope ", Kerry continues.
As for Russia, according to the US envoy, "it can do a lot" to reach a UN agreement at the climate conference in Glasgow. "Putin has made it clear that he also considers climate change for his country. Russia has methane and in the northern regions it has the problem of spills in the tundra, in the permafrost. They have large buildings and entire cities that have become unstable due to the melting soil. . Also, Russia has gas and, although it is not the ultimate solution, using it can help bring it closer, "is Kerry's reasoning.
China, on the other hand, continues to defend the financing of coal plants abroad. Why should the Chinese be asked, according to Kerry. "I believe it is a problem, a challenge, which Beijing must be accountable to everyone", states the US envoy. "We know that some countries consider these plants crucial for their energy production but we no longer consider it correct: today we have wind, sun and other renewable sources that are accessible and cost even less. It is up to countries like China to choose to go meeting these benefits ".
Timmermans: "Environment and recovery go together"
"We politicians at European, national and international level must demonstrate that this transition will be just and in solidarity, only in this way will citizens follow us". This was stated by the vice president of the EU Commission with the delegation to the Green Deal, the Dutch Frans Timmermans, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, on the eve of the G20 for the Environment.
Last week the Commission presented the Fit to 55 plan, which will revolutionize the European economy and our way of life. However, the planned measures have aroused criticism among EU countries and MEPs. Worry about who the cost of the green transition will fall. "The EU has demonstrated with concrete plans that we can make projects that help us achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and reduce emissions by 55% by 2030. It is possible to achieve these goals and at the same time grow the economy. . This is our main message: there is no contradiction between the fight against climate change and the recovery of the economy, "explains Timmermans.
According to the vice president of the EU Commission, "the violence of nature" these days "shows us that we must act urgently". "But there is always the debate on how much the green transition costs, on how much we can ask the citizens. I believe that now citizens have understood that there is no time to waste and that doing nothing costs much more than the measures we have to do. The fear of seeing the Yellow Vests on the street should not prevent European politicians from acting now, "insists Timmermans.
No-global activists occupy the Naples port area
Blitz of activists from environmental movements and social centers in the commercial port of Naples. The protest takes place at the same time as the opening of the G20 environment, climate and energy work which takes place in the Royal Palace. The demonstrators put up a banner with the words "Stop G20" and "Work health environment there is only one struggle, let's rise up". Yesterday afternoon a group of about 50 activists managed to cross the threshold of the "red zone" by entering Piazza Plebiscito and displaying banners against the G20.Zca.
Today at 15 citizens will take to Piazza Dante to denounce yet another failure of politics in addressing climate devastation and mass extinction. Activists and activists - explains a note from Extinction Rebellion Napoli with Greenpeace and Climate Save movement - will stage a funeral procession to symbolize the death of the planet, animals and the enormous cost in human lives that political inaction is causing. It will be headed by Pulcinella, symbol of Naples, bound and tormented by the ecosystem and climate crisis. Everything will take place in a completely nonviolent way.