Rimini, November 6, 2024 – The climate challenge today involves all the major economies on the planet. Major emitters of greenhouse gases, such as China, the United States, the European Union, and India, have launched major programs and investments to achieve the goal of “net zero emissions”. Together, these countries are responsible for 60% of global CO₂ emissions. The second day of the States General of the Green Economy, a summit organized by the National Council of the Green Economy (which brings together 66 professional organizations), in partnership with the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and under the aegis of the European Commission and the Italian Ministry of Industry, focused on these international issues, with a particular focus on Europe, China, the United States and India.
The European Union, through its Green Deal, has put in place ambitious regulations to reduce emissions. In 2023, it succeeded in lowering them by 31% compared to 1990, marking a resumption of the decarbonization process after a slowdown in 2022. Between 2022 and 2023, greenhouse gas emissions fell by almost 200%. million tonnes, putting the EU on track to achieve its 55% reduction target by 2030. The European Climate Law also set carbon neutrality in stone by 2050.
China, the world’s largest emitter of CO₂, has seen its emissions grow by 39% in recent years, although it is also investing heavily in the energy transition. Faced with the dramatic consequences of the climate crisis on its vast territory, China aims to become a world leader in decarbonization technologies. In 2022, it produced 60% of electric vehicles, 50% of wind turbines and 45% of photovoltaic panels sold worldwide, while remaining the main user of coal (responsible for 70% of its emissions).
The United States, the world’s second largest emitter, but first in emissions per capita, reduced its emissions by 14.5% in 2022. The Biden administration has devoted unprecedented resources to accelerate the transition to greener energy, with the goal of switching to 100% clean electricity by 2035. Several states and large cities are following this direction, such as New York which plans to ban fossil fuels in all new buildings by 2027, or California which requires the electrification of new constructions. Washington State requires new buildings to be equipped with heat pumps.
“The path is clear,” says Raimondo Orsini, director of the Foundation for Sustainable Development. “Even with the new Trump administration, it will be difficult to turn back the clock, particularly because of the Inflation Reduction Act, four-fifths of the funding for which is intended for Republican states. »
In India, total emissions are comparable to the EU, but with a population three times larger, meaning per capita emissions well below the global average, and four times lower than China. India, which is one of the nations most affected by extreme weather events, committed at COP26 in Glasgow to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070. By doubling investments in clean energy By 2030, it intends to strengthen its production capacities in renewable energies and low-carbon technologies.
Antonio Decaro, President of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament, sums up the urgency of the climate challenge: “The images of devastating climate disasters hitting our communities are becoming more and more alarming. We must choose what world we want to leave to our children and grandchildren. For Europe, this means achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. These are ambitious goals, but necessary , and Europe has already taken the path of transition. However, this challenge requires global commitment and everyone must take part. The ecological and environmental transition must go hand in hand with a social transition to prevent Europe from being perceived as imposing incomprehensible and penalizing choices for citizens. »
The States General of the Green Economy 2024 thus reaffirm the importance of collective and global action to face the major environmental challenges of our time.
