Dispatch from Italy | November '25
*** Get a bird's-eye view of Italy’s climate-friendly transition in the CLEW Guide – Italy moves on green transition, but fossil fuel ties remain tight***
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- Italy’s 2026 budget – The draft budgetary plan for 2026 includes a number of provisions related to energy efficiency and green mobility, though it introduces no new major investments in the energy transition. The plan confirms the extension of the Home Renovation Bonus, a tax credit reimbursing half of renovation costs for energy efficiency and safety improvements, and the Ecobonus, which provides larger incentives for energy upgrades like insulation, heating systems, and solar panels. Both will be available through 2027. Incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles will also continue, with about 200 million euros allocated to charging infrastructure between 2026 and 2027. Smaller tax credits, including those for energy-efficient household appliances, are being discontinued. The budget law was approved by the government on 17 October, amendments can be submitted until today (14 November), and it is expected to be passed into law by 15 December.
- COP30: Italy’s role in Belém – Environment and energy security minister Gilberto Pichetto rather than prime minister Giorgia Meloni represents Italy at the UN climate conference COP30. Pichetto stated that Italy is taking part “with ambition and confidence; no steps backwards”. The event tests Italy’s role on climate diplomacy and is watched for whether Rome delivers new commitments or simply reiterates old ones. Greenpeace Italy described Meloni’s absence as “a clear sign of indifference towards one of the most serious crises of our time”.
The latest from Italy – last month in recap
The latest from Italy – last month in recap
- Italy negotiates EU climate target – At the European Council meeting of government leaders on 23 October, prime minister Giorgia Meloni initially stated that Italy would not back the proposed revision of the European Climate Law without significant changes that would avert “compromising the European economy”. Initially, Poland, Italy, Czechia, and other countries opposed the Commission’s original 90-percent emission reduction target for 2040 from 1990 levels. However, on 5 November, Italy ultimately voted in favour of the Council’s agreement following negotiations that included requests for greater flexibility, such as allowing the EU to use international carbon credits to reach part of the target.
- Italy’s energy transition stalling – A progress report by think tank ECCO Climate paints a gloomy picture of Italy’s slow progress toward its 2030 energy and climate goals. Renewables deployment remains well below target – with just 25 percent of the 70 GW capacity increase planned by 2030 achieved so far – while investments in building efficiency collapsed from 120 billion euros in 2021 to 20 billion euros in 2023.
- ENI’s Mozambique gamble – Italian energy company ENI and its partners announced a final investment decision (FID) for the Coral North floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project off Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado coast, a facility expected to double the country’s LNG output. Civil society stakeholders warned that the project replicates major environmental risks found in its existing twin facility – including gas flaring – and would lead to total emissions of around 1 billion tonnes of CO2 over 25 years across the entire value chain of both projects.
- Heat toll surges in Italy – Italy is facing a dramatic heat-related health and productivity crisis, according to a recent data sheet from the Lancet Countdown. Between 2012 and 2021, the country registered an estimated 7,400 heat-related deaths per year, more than double the average of the 1990-99 period. In 2024, Italians on average experienced about 46 days of heatwave exposure, causing the average loss of 15 working hours per person – almost a three-fold increase versus 1990-99.
- Country’s biofuel bet under scrutiny – Italy and Brazil launched an initiative with Japan and India to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035 compared with 2024 levels. The move showcases Italy’s interest in a “biofuel-transition” alongside renewables – but experts warn that these fuels carry risks (negative lifecycle emissions, land-use change, deforestation) and may distract from the core challenge: phasing out fossil fuels and scaling efficiency and clean electricity.
Rudi’s picks - Highlights from upcoming events and top reads
Rudi’s picks - Highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Italy’s lag in renewables – According to the recent Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) “State of the Environment 2025” report, Italy is severely off track on its climate and renewable energy goals. To close the gap, the country would need to increase its annual growth rate in renewables four-fold compared with the past two decades. The institute warns that without stronger policies, Italy risks paying twice: in competitiveness and higher household bills.
- Early heatwave alerts – A new CMCC study demonstrates how machine learning can predict European heatwaves up to 7 weeks in advance. The approach drastically reduces computing needs while improving forecast accuracy, offering crucial lead time for agriculture, energy management, public health, and emergency planning. This innovation highlights how AI can transform climate risk preparedness, potentially saving lives and reducing economic losses.
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