The G7 in Turin on the environment, energy and climate begins.Protests outside the palace of Venaria:«The circus has begun»

Minister Pichetto:«Italy presents itself with clear ideas».But here comes the rebuke of the experts:«None of the G7 economies are in line with climate objectives»

The G7 on Climate, Energy and Environment opens today, Sunday 28 April, in Venaria Reale, Turin.A three-day event that will see the ministers of Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States gathered at the gates of the Piedmontese capital, but also the leaders of the European institutions.Italy, the minister assured Gilberto Pichetto, comes to the meeting «with clear ideas and the determination necessary to make this G7 the bearer of real and ambitious results».The priorities of the summit, he added, concern the consolidation "of the initiatives already underway" and a series of joint actions to "give a strong push to the development of renewables" but also of "all the sources which, with scientific support, can guarantee energy security, contributing to the achievement of environmental objectives".A not too veiled reference to the nuclear, a source of energy for which the current Italian government has repeatedly demonstrated its own interest.«The nuclear issue will be discussed, then we need to see what the agreement will be for the final statement:we will talk about fusion and we will talk about fission", Pichetto specified.

A bridge between Cop28 and Cop29

The summit that opens today in Venaria Reale serves first and foremost to act as a bridge between the Cop28 of Dubai and the Cop29 of Baku, Azerbaijan.At last year's climate summit, nearly two hundred countries took the leadunanimous commitment to progressively abandon fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal), the main causes of global warming.The summit which opens today in Turin, explains the Ecco think tank, "represents the first moment to demonstrate how the G7 countries interpret the commitments made in Dubai".According to experts, there are three pillars on which these days' appointment will be judged.First of all, «an agreement on a strategic framework aimed at the design and development of national transition plans for the entire economy, aligned with the objective of containing the temperature increase by 1.5 degrees».Second pillar:outline the strategy through which «the G7 countries intend to undertake the transition from coal, oil and gas towards renewable sources and energy efficiency, the two great priorities that emerged from Cop28».In the end:reach agreement on a tool "to facilitate energy transition and resilience at a global level", with particular attention to developing countries.

The rebuke of the experts

In view of these days' summit in Turin, the think tank Climate Analytics took a closer look at the emissions reduction plans of the G7 countries.The result:none of them are on track to meet their 2030 goals.According to Climate Analytics, G7 economies must reduce their emissions by 58% by the end of the decade (compared to 2019 levels) to meet their Paris Agreement commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial period.“These economies, which represent 38% of global GDP, are not doing what is necessary, despite having both the technology and the financial resources to make the leap in quality,” commented Neil Grant, main author of the analysis.

The issues on the table

The official program released by the Ministry of the Environment helps to outline in more detail what will be discussed in these days at the G7 in Turin.For the environmental part, the focus will be on "sustainable consumption and production, circular economy and resource efficiency", with particular reference to "the theme of recycling critical raw materials and circularity in the textile and fashion industries".The topics of combating pollution, biodiversity, ecosystems, the sea, the oceans and the sustainable use of water resources will then be addressed.As regards climate and energy, «the topic of the Net Zero agenda will be addressed, with objectives aimed at strengthening storage systems and flexibility, in order to manage the strong contribution of renewables».But there will also be space to talk about energy efficiency and strengthening security, "in particular for the supply chain of critical minerals necessary for the development of renewables".

Among the "new energy technologies" that the Environment Ministers will discuss is also nuclear energy, a divisive topic not only for public opinion but also for governments themselves.Germany and Spain, for example, have started the process of dismantling their power plants and want to embark on a path of only renewables.Other countries, such as France, are instead betting on the potential of atomic energy.«On nuclear power we are for research and experimentation:we believe it is the solution to provide continuity in the future.It is not an immediate issue, but we are strongly committed on this front also with large companies at national level, with universities and research centres, so we are fully cultivating the nuclear option", declared Pichetto, specifying Italy's position.

The protests

For a few days, even before the leaders of the seven powers of the world met in Venaria Reale, various protests took place outside the palace.«You are 7, we are 99%.Against the G7 climate, environment, energy", read a banner from the Fridays for Future procession on Friday 19 April in Turin.A new demonstration is planned in the city today, which will bring together various environmental associations.Among the movements that in recent days have contested the summit chaired by Italy there is also Extinction Rebellion, which organized a protest action outside the RAI headquarters in Turin.Some activists – armed with tricycles, clown wigs and flags – displayed a banner with the words:«G7 Environment:-2 days until the circus starts."According to reports from the environmental movement, the Police Headquarters has reported 60 activists who protested and broke into the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper.These complaints «aim to demonize those who are expressing peaceful dissent in a completely militarized city.And which will cost, again, thousands of euros in legal fees," the group wrote in a note.

On the cover:Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin at the press conference to present the G7 Environment (ANSA/Maurizio Brambatti)