ROME - Economic growth and reduced emissions are both feasible.

The debate, titled Green Growth: Nuove strategie per lo sviluppo (‘New strategies for development’), held in Rome’s Villa Wolkonsky, the official residence of the British ambassador to Italy, Christopher Prentice, was moderated by Rachel Sanderson and involved a variety of speakers from both the public and private sectors. 

Sir David King, Emeritus Professor at the University of Cambridge and the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, offered an optimistic point of view in the face of what he termed an ‘existential threat’. In particular, the need for technological developments in energy storage was emphasised, as King stressed that such developments would ensure a supply of energy when weather conditions change day to day. Also highlighted were the potential benefits of Europe working together in this matter, a view later echoed by other participants.

Similarly, economic advisor Daniele Viappiani used data from the New Climate Economy Report to stress that there is no need to choose between the environment and economic growth, arguing that investment in new infrastructures is the key to reducing emissions and increasing economies. The report, a global initiative put together by economists from seven different countries, sets out a ten-point global action plan and is accessible online at http://newclimateeconomy.report/ .

Also participating were Tullio Fanelli, Vice Commissioner of ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) and Francesco La Camera, Director General of the Italian Ministry for the Environment, as well as Pietro Colucci, President of Kinexia, and Francesco Venturini, Delegate Administrator of Enel Green Power. Sir David King highlighted an important link between the public and private sectors as regards the environment, remarking that it is the private sector’s push for long-term certainty forces the government to think ahead.  

Furthermore, the new Global Calculator was presented. This is an online, interactive tool designed demonstrate the link between our lifestyles and the environment, and also to show the public what a low-carbon world might look like in 2050. It can be accessed at http://tool.globalcalculator.org/ .

Paris COP21, which will be held from 30^th Nov. to 11^th Dec. 2015, was another important topic of discussion and was described as the beginning of the next phase of Green Growth.