National Adaptation Plan: what happened?
The National Adaptation Plan was approved at the end of last year. In December of last year, Minister Pichetto meritoriously accelerated the conclusion of a process that seemed endless, even if the Plan itself is lacking in two fundamental respects: it does not identify either the priorities or the sources of financing.
After which the Plan was put in a drawer and it did not enter the Government’s prioritiesalso in view of the next financial law: the ruling class, including the industrial one, seems much more attracted by useless large-scale works, from nuclear power to the Strait of Messina Bridge. And yet, today climate change puts the economy at risk, as well as people’s lives and property, as demonstrated by a recent study published in Nature * which quantifies the GDP losses linked to the rise in sea levels alone in the two regions that are (today) the driving forces of the economy, highlighting that Italy risks being one of the countries most affected.
There is even a risk of GDP decline of -20.84% in Veneto and -10.16% in Emilia Romagna within the century.
Of course, in Romagna some emergency interventions have been carried out, so much so that a quantity of water equal to or greater than that of last year has caused less harm to people (it is still too early to say about things). Unfortunately, the Region continues to manage watercourses with totally inadequate and often counterproductive maintenance interventions, as the WWF has been denouncing for years. Interventions are still carried out, especially following emergencies, prevention and planning are lacking and, above all, the necessary tools, such as the Sediment Management Programs, required by law, are lacking for almost the entire territory (there is practically only one for the Po), which are otherwise required by law.
So all the structural problems remained, because adapting means changing to be prepared for a new reality. And instead, we continue, with increasingly evident limitations, to deal with the emergency. In 2023, then, the Government had promised 100% reimbursements to citizens: these reimbursements did not arrive at all and most of the flood victims could only count on civil society and local support.
It is necessary to apply the Adaptation Plan and Local Strategic Plans
WWF demands that that the Adaptation Plan be implemented immediatelyboth by immediately launching the governance and implementation bodies, including those of participation, and by providing for an adequate allocation plan in the now upcoming budget. Furthermore, it is essential to start Local strategic plans of adaptation.
Equally vital is to predict the financing for climate neutralityif emissions continue to rise, we risk not being able to manage climate change. Italy cannot choose the past, simply because it no longer exists: it must invest in thinking about the new climate reality, seeking the path to prosperity and a thriving economy in the new conditions.
WWF Italy Press Release
