ROME/WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24 – “I just finished a long phone call with John Kerry”. Last week the former Secretary of State and new U.S. climate envoy, and Sergio Costa, Italy’s Environment Minister, discussed possible ways of collaboration on global climate action.
The phone call follows Kerry’s call to Great Britain’s environment chief. The United Kingdom and Italy are the co-organizers of the Cop26. According to a statement released by the Italian Ministry for the Environment, the urgency of climate action, establishing maximum collaboration between the two countries, and the importance of the return of the United States to the front line of the fight against climate change, starting with rejoining the Paris Agreement, were at the heart of the conversation.
Kerry confirmed the United States willingness to work alongside the countries organizing the Cop 26, since the battle against climate change is no longer deferrable. Minister Costa underlined that “in recent years the absence of the United States has been felt on this front” and that “Cop 26 must not be an interim meeting, but must represent a milestone in history, leading all countries around the globe towards a paradigm shift”.
“The United States, with its decisive weight – said Minister Costa – will help us in the dialogue with the most vulnerable countries, with small island states, with the richest nations and those who have greater responsibility in the emission of climate-change inducing gases. The role of Kerry will be crucial, also for his personal history”.
The US special envoy gave Costa his full availability, and stressed that he will do everything to meet the expectations of the new orientations of the Biden administration and to support Italy and the United Kingdom in accompanying the most recalcitrant countries on ambitious positions and on the front lines of this historic battle. (@OnuItalia)
