Topic:
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Sophia Mahajerin
Climate change is occurring at an alarming rate, and will continue to worsen unless drastic changes are enacted. Events such as heat waves and the melting of glaciers and Arctic sea ice are striking examples of this. Researchers have found that greenhouse gas emissions are not only making heat waves more common, but also making them hotter than ever. In turn, the hot season has been lengthened, which is dangerous for every country’s ecosystem. Permafrost is melting, which then releases methane (a greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. Because of the melting of glaciers and ice, sea levels are rising, which is becoming a threat for coastal communities. Air pollution is also an effect, which often leads to respiratory problems like lung cancer and asthma. The UN has made efforts to combat the effects of climate change by creating an international agreement to help reduce one of the main causes. The UN introduced the Paris Agreement, which is a “legally binding international treaty” targeting gas emissions. 196 countries adopted this treaty, and it was launched on November 4, 2016.
Italy acknowledges the need for immediate action to deal with climate change. Because of this, Italy signed the Paris agreement in 2015. The Paris Agreement is aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of the century. Countries have discussed ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, in order to reach this set goal. In order to mitigate climate change, Italy has focused on implementing renewables and improving their energy efficiency. Coal is set to be phased out as an energy source by 2025. Italy has been actively promoting initiatives to reduce black carbon emissions, with things such as low impact fuels and the use of ecological vehicles for distribution of goods. Italy is also part of the EU, which adopted a clean air policy package for Europe in 2013. It includes an updated National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive, a new directive on medium combustion plants, and additional actions taken to improve air quality in cities. All of these efforts are steps Italy is taking and supporting, to help the whole world.
The Italian Republic proposes that the United Nations create sub-committee groups to address individual effects of climate change, so that all concerns are heard and considered. By creating sub-groups, individual effects can be focused on by those with relevant expertise, for things like heat waves, air pollution, and natural disasters, among other issues. A sub-committee could then present an action plan addressing their particular issue, which could then be approved and implemented by member countries. Wealthier countries can help fund these plans. By making individual concerns global issues, countries are able to unite for the greater good of the world.
