(Finance) – To Rimini Meeting, European Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni has underlined the crucial importance of the PNRR for Italy’s future, warning that bureaucracy must not hinder its implementation. Meanwhile, the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratintouched various key themes related to energy transition and sustainability.
During a meeting on theenergyPichetto Fratin said that Italy’s “largest mine of critical minerals” is represented by the waste, highlighting the importance of recycling in the context of the ecological transition. On the sidelines of the event, he met with Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulagato consolidate a collaboration aimed at supporting the tUganda’s environmental reportwith a focus on virtuous practices in waste management and the circular economy.
Pichetto Fratin expressed the need for standardize separate waste collection at a national level and to reduce the number of water managers in Italy. Despite the difficulties, he reiterated the importance of a more centralized management of water resources to face future challenges.
On the energy front, the minister stressed that, to meet the growing demand for energy expected by 2050, Italy will have to explore all available solutions, from renewables to nuclear. “In 2023 we purchased 18 billion kWh from France“, he recalled, highlighting the need to invest in nuclear research and production to ensure the country’s energy security.
Even the CEO of Acea, Fabrizio Palermo, He spoke at the Meeting, illustrating the importance of thewater as an economic flywheel. Palermo highlighted that Water directly contributes 20% of Italy’s GDP And indirectly to another 20%raising the alarm on theinadequacy of Italian water infrastructure, which require huge investments. There has been no shortage of proposals to review water tariffs and encourage investment in the sector and reduce losseswhich currently amounts to 41% compared to the European average of 26%.