Meloni Denounces ‘Dogmatic’ Climate Policies

Nov. 27—Speaking at the G20 meeting Nov. 22, Italian Prime Minister Gioria Meloni said Western nations should not impose “dogmatic” climate policies on Africa. "In my opinion, we must abandon once and for all the ideological dogmatism that is causing more harm than good. In Europe, for example, choices have been made in the past that have brought entire productive sectors to their knees, without producing any real benefit in terms of global emissions. In Africa, dogmatic approaches imposed by foreign partners that do not take into account the specificities of African nations paradoxically risk reinforcing old patterns of dependency.

“This is a losing strategy, so a pragmatic balance must be found between the need to limit emissions and the risk of compromising the most advanced productive systems and preventing the weaker ones from establishing themselves.

“In my opinion, the challenge is to affirm the principle of technological neutrality, because there is no single solution capable of quickly building a solid alternative to fossil fuel supplies, but also because this spurs research, innovation and virtuous competition. The energy mix must be balanced and must combine all available technologies. Renewables, gas, hydrogen, biofuels, CO₂ capture systems, as well as research into nuclear fusion, which would change history by producing clean, safe and unlimited energy.”

In that speech, as well as in the speech she gave the previous day, Meloni advertised her “Mattei Plan” for Africa, based on creating jobs. She mentioned the EU Global Gateway and the Lobito Corridor, which was interpreted by some geopolitical commentators as a counter position to China’s “Tazara” railway. In reality, the two infrastructures are complementary: while the former is an East-West trans-oceanic connection, the latter is a North-South one, and the two can (will) be connected.