PARTNERSHIP Italy - UK

IN FOCUS | 13 www.italchamind.eu Climate change: global warming requires resolutive actions International support for the UK and Italy to host COP26 W hen the United Kingdom bid to host the COP26 in 2020, the government knew it would be the biggest climate conference after the Paris agreement in 2015. At the time, countries had agreed to limit their emissions to safe levels, curbing temperatures to 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Five years later, the COP26 represents the deadline for countries to comply with their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and set targets for the next decade. COP26 In early September 2019, the UK received international backing to host the summit in collaboration with Italy, an important sign of cooperation between the two countries. Organised by the UN, the yearly conference gathers all the parties involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Conference of the Parties (COP) has now reached its 25th edition, being held in Santiago del Chile in December 2019. It will be at this occasion when the UK candidacy to host the COP will be formally accepted. COP26 is set to be organised in Glasgow - one of the most sustainable cities in the UK - at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC), where up to 30,000 delegates are expected to attend during the two-week programme, along with 200 world leaders for the final weekend. It will be the largest summit ever hosted in the UK, and one of world-wide importance as it will deliver an international response to the climate emergency. Long-term commitments are expected to be found by governments and large enterprises to undertake resolutive actions to stop and reverse what now seems to be the biggest challenge that humankind will face for the next decades to come. Italy, co-hosting the conference, will organise preparatory events and a significant youth event in the run-up to the talks. STRATEGIC COOPERATION The partnership between the UK and Italy is fundamental, as both entities are keen on getting the most from the COP26 and finally achieve what was set with the Paris Agreement. The two countries are now bonded by a strategic alliance that will see several appointments taking place in the near future, starting from the COP25 to Italy’s Presidency of G20 in 2021. Despite an initial disappointment from Italy that had also put forward their candidacy for the COP26, the country managed to agree on a partnership and organise the events that will prepare the conference. The Young COP, in particular, is a great success for the Italian government, as it will engage the youngsters who will debate and give tangible suggestions that will subsequently be evaluated during the final talks. ·