At Cop28 the all-Italian model of post-earthquake reconstruction in Central Italy

Post-earthquake reconstruction in central Italy was addressed with a repair and reconstruction strategy that brings together adaptation to climate change and anti-depopulation measures for the Apennines:it will be brought as best practice in a meeting at Cop28

ROME – It is not enough to rebuild Central Italy hit by the earthquake, we must repair and revive.To achieve this, a critical issue that pre-existed the earthquake must be addressed, the lack of opportunities in the area which leads to depopulation.An action which, when combined with those for decarbonisation and adaptation to the consequences of the ongoing climate emergency, creates an all-Italian approach based on the protection of human communities in a harmonious relationship with the environment, also with a view to its maintenance which goes far beyond mere protection.This is the all-Italian sustainability model at the center of an event at Cop28, the international climate conference underway in Dubai.

THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CENTRAL APENNINES

The reconstruction model of the territories affected by the seismic sequence that occurred in 2016-17 between Abruzzo, Lazio, Marche and Umbria as a best practice that responds to the challenge of sustainable development in the territories of the central Apennines, while the signs of climate change are already evident in act, through a strategy implemented by the commissioner structure.This is the subject of the meetingCentral Apennines:rebuild and repair by adapting to climate change', which will take place at COP28 tomorrow, 11 December, starting from 7pm local time, with the participation, among others, of the Extraordinary Commissioner for Repair and Reconstruction of the 2016 earthquake Guido Castelli and the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto.

'After many false starts, we are now finally achieving a change of pace', explains Castelli to Dire, a change of pace 'documented in numbers by the fact that the resources we pay monthly to companies involved in reconstruction are beating the previous record every month, we are at 137 million per month, +35% on the previous year.So, there has been a change of pace.
However, in addition to reconstruction 'we have also developed a strategy for the economic and social relaunch of the areas affected by the earthquake', he underlines, 'because I play the role of commissioner for reconstruction but also for repair:beyond the causal link and the damage to be repaired it is necessary to develop positive action so that those places, once rebuilt, do not remain empty‘.

'With this repair and reconstruction strategy we try to counteract the demographic crisis of the central Apennines that pre-existed the earthquake, and we do so with a relaunch strategy that passes from improvement of traffic, from the digitalisation with the broadband connections created with Infratel and more', continues the Extraordinary Commissioner for Repair and Reconstruction of the 2016 earthquake Guido Castelli speaking with Dire.But, he underlines, 'countering the demographic crisis we also apply a measure of adaptation to climate change, because what happens with hydrogeological instability is also a consequence of the fact that we have left the territory of the central Apennines deserted and unmanned'.A 'tailored' adaptation, so to speak, tailor-made for the areas of the central Apennines, in this case or for others.A need also highlighted by the IPCC in the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report, intended for political decision-makers, which highlights the limits and risks of 'maladaptation' and of solutions designed for other realities and applied to the territories as equally applicable.Therefore an action that must be measured and planned according to the specific characteristics of the territories involved, and in this way 'Let's fight the climate crisis and the demographic crisis which in Italy are often sides of the same coin', notes Castelli.

REBUILD BY TRANSFORMING THE APENNINES INTO A CENTER OF INNOVATION AND ADAPTATION

The principle of 'as it was, where it was', which has often proven to be inadequate and obsolete, is therefore no longer pursued compared to the real needs of reconstruction.The devastation caused by the 2016 earthquake offers an opportunity, profoundly renew the building heritage so that it responds primarily to two principles that already look to the future: safety and sustainability.
The demographic crisis that historically affects these territories (but not only) and the effects of global warming require far-sighted planning, which is able to systematize the huge resources of material reconstruction and of the National Plan complementary to the PNRR for the areas of the 2009-2009 earthquake. 2016 (which extends through Next Apennines program, with a total value of 1 billion and 780 million euros), for transform the central Apennines mountain into a hub of innovation and ability to adapt to the changes underway for the years to come.
In short, a way of proceeding 'in the name of the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's approach for a non-ideological but pragmatic ecologism, with the introduction of energy efficiency measures and rewards for those who build in a virtuous manner, for the reduction of consumption', he points out the Extraordinary Commissioner for Repair and Reconstruction of the 2016 earthquake Guido Castelli speaking with Dire.

ENERGY COMMUNITIES

An important element of this approach is the choice to focus on CERs, Renewable Energy Communities.In this scenario, a fundamental piece, strongly desired and supported by the 2016 earthquake commissioner structure, is the creation of 22 renewable energy communities which saw the involvement of more than 50 public bodies.'After all, in the Apennines and It has always been like this in the mountains, the woods and pastures were shared with civic uses, today renewables are shared– says Castelli – it is part of the history of our territory, a model of sharing that today concerns energy, for example, as in the past we divided water or wood.

The central Apennines therefore confirms itself as a pioneer in the development of policies aimed at environmental and energy sustainability.These 22 CERs (involving 64 Municipalities) financed for 68 million euros through NextAppennino (Complementary National Earthquake Plan) represented one of the most evident steps of this strategy which was recently followed by a further step.In fact, in the month of November, the document defining the operational guidelines intended for local authorities that want to develop systems from renewable energy sources for the construction and management of CERs was approved by the Coordination Cabin on the 2009-2016 earthquake.
A tool also aimed at promoting a growing use of public-private partnerships for the creation of CERs.Significant is the fact that the approval of the Guidelines took place the day after the European Commission gave the green light to the government decree on encouraging the spread of self-consumption of energy from renewable sources.Such a tight deadline was made possible 'thanks to the coordination and constant collaboration between the Commissioner's Structure and all the institutions involved, both at a governmental and local level', the Structure reports.

HUMAN PRESENCE CAN SLOW DOWN THE DEGRADATION OF THE TERRITORY

The premise of this strategy is that anthropization is not necessarily the enemy of the environment.'Human presence, in forms and modalities that are in balance with the surrounding environment, can in fact prove fundamental for slow down and counteract the process of land degradation (which then has potentially devastating consequences also downstream)', report by the Commissioner's Structure.The fragilities (hydrogeological risk, landslides) are exacerbated by the abandonment of man and, to limit these phenomena in territories already heavily subject to depopulation for some decades, it is therefore necessary policies that incentivize people to stay'.This is what is happening through the actions implemented by the Extraordinary Commissioner for Repair and Reconstruction after the 2016 earthquake Guido Castelli, supported by the government:a strategy aimed at providing, returning, implementing, renewing services (primary ones, such as school and healthcare, first and foremost), improving road and digital infrastructures, supporting the local entrepreneurial fabric and, therefore, employment.In summary:a set of conditions is being created that induce people to stay, return or come to the central Apennines.
Through these initiatives, the Commissioner's Structure points out, 'we intend to address it in a systemic and organic way the demographic challenge promoting the creation of communities that express a model of life different from the prevailing urban one.Realities 'on a human scale, respectful of the surrounding environment, attractive to young and old, able to follow the path of sustainable development'.In short, for the areas affected by the earthquake, that event can transform into an opportunity to build a different, better future of growth and innovation.A virtuous model that can establish itself as a point of reference, also at COP28 in Dubai.