The Italian government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been accused of sending mixed signals on its climate policy, as it adopts different positions depending on whether it is addressing the domestic or the international audience.
Critics say that the government is trying to appease both its conservative base and its European allies, but risks losing credibility and effectiveness in the fight against global warming.
On the one hand, Meloni has reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.