The meeting was preceded by protests on Sunday at world leaders’ failure to tackle the climate crisis caused by human greenhouse gas emissions by, among other things, phasing out the use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.
Traffic was halted in the northern city and images of United States President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were burned during the demonstrations.
“We have a great responsibility towards our citizens, towards the most vulnerable countries and towards the planet,” said Italian Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin at the opening session of the two-day event.
“We are in the middle of two conflicts grafted onto global crises,” added Fratin, who is the chair of proceedings with Italy holding the duty presidency of the G7.
“The international community awaits our message.
“The G7 is the right place to plan actions for a more effective fight against climate change and pollution and for a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition.”
In addition to ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, European Energy, Climate and Environment Commissioners Kadri Simson, Wopke Hoekstra and Virginijus Sinkevičius are also taking part in the meetings.
ANSA
