◼️ 23rd, December 2022 – EURACTIV.COM – Europe’s car industry must look to the future, not the past – https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-of-mobility/opinion/europes-car-industry-must-look-to-the-future-not-the-past/?fbclid=IwAR1AGDFhSfine-1uQEIpW3ZVx07sAOLC100_Paz4NflnGyL7bUVg6QeordM
◼️ 20th, December 2022 – ANSA – Controversial cash measure removed from budget. Shops will have to accept card payments even for small amounts –https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/12/19/controversial-cash-measure-removed-from-budget_e92ccf77-e1fc-4a19-aac1-8abc468208e3.html
◼️ 14th, December 2022 – ANSA – Bologna tops Il Sole 24 Ore quality-of-life ranking. The province of Bologna won the top spot in Il Sole 24 Ore’s annual qualify-of-life ranking.
It is the fifth time in 33 years that the province in Emilia Romagna has come first after it climbed five positions with respect to its 2021 placing. –https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/12/12/bologna-tops-il-sole-24-ore-quality-of-life-ranking_b0f04517-8c03-4d95-b1ab-c15be3dec490.html
◼️ 10th, December 2022 – THE CONVERSATION.COM – Shipping must accelerate its decarbonisation efforts – and now it has the opportunity to do so. Member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the UN agency that regulates international maritime affairs, are meeting on December 5-16 to discuss how to accelerate the industry’s climate mitigation efforts. –https://theconversation.com/shipping-must-accelerate-its-decarbonisation-efforts-and-now-it-has-the-opportunity-to-do-so-195222
◼️ 6th, December 2022 – ANSA – Cash measures in budget could conflict with fight on tax evasion -Bank of Italy. The Bank of Italy on Monday took issue with measures in the government’s 2023 budget bill regarding cash payments and a so-called ‘fiscal truce’ with taxpayers. –https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/12/05/cash-measures-could-conflict-with-fight-on-evasion-boi_4877157c-d387-495f-8d0d-583e2d25f067.html
◼️ 3rd, December 2022 – ANSA -Gas bills up 13.7% in November. Italian gas bills rose 13.7% in November, energy regulator ARERA said Friday. The rise came after a 12.9% in October. The price for customers was 91.2 euros per megawatt hour.
(ANSA). –https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/12/02/gas-bills-up-13.7-in-november_4fa6d4dc-d815-470b-bd3b-76b182b85a7e.html
◼️ 1st, December 2022 – ANSA – Italy’s GDP up 0.5% in third quarter says ISTAT. Tourism and household spending drove rise says stats agency. Italy’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2022 with respect to the previous three months and by 2.6% in comparison with the same period in 2021, ISTAT said on Wednesday. –https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/11/30/italys-gdp-up-0.5-in-third-quarter-says-istat_30426c76-b7af-482d-bc3a-629f9c757eda.html
◼️ 28th, November 2022 – THE CONVERSATION.COM – Pos, obligation for payments only above 60 euros. Occupied houses, Imu stop. Anything Imu on occupied houses, no effective obligation to accept card payments up to 60 euros, –https://news.italy24.press/local/225525.html
◼️ 24th, November 2022 – THE CONVERSATION.COM – COP27 roundup: what went wrong and what happens next. COP27, the latest UN climate change summit which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, has been condemned for failing to summon an adequate response to the escalating climate crisis. – https://theconversation.com/cop27-roundup-what-went-wrong-and-what-happens-next-195265
◼️ 23rd, November 2022 – ANSA – Factbox/2023 Budget Bill: tax cuts for low earners, early retirement option. Around 21 bn of 35-bn package devoted to energy aid. The 35-billion-euro budget bill that Premier Giorgia Meloni presented on Thursday features tax cuts for low earners and options to make it easier for people to take early retirement.
But the main focus was aid to help families and firms cope with soaring energy prices, which the government devoted around 21 billion euros to. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/11/22/budget-tax-cuts-for-low-earners-early-retirement-option_7111e919-a7c6-40e5-a8c7-2c99c93f4708.html
◼️ 21st, November 2022 – THE CONVERSATION.COM –COP27: one big breakthrough but ultimately an inadequate response to the climate crisis. For 30 years, developing nations have fought to establish an international fund to pay for the “loss and damage” they suffer as a result of climate change. As the COP27 climate summit in Egypt wrapped up over the weekend, they finally succeeded. –https://theconversation.com/cop27-one-big-breakthrough-but-ultimately-an-inadequate-response-to-the-climate-crisis-194056
◼️ 19th, November 2022 – THE CONVERSATION.COM – COP27 roundup: how the world can stick to its carbon budget fairly. How much CO₂ can humanity emit before we push global temperatures 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average? That was the limit agreed in 2015 which scientists say offers us a reasonable chance of averting climate breakdown. The answer, according to a new assessment of the remaining carbon budget, is 380 billion tonnes, or less than a decade of emissions at their present rate. –https://theconversation.com/cop27-roundup-how-the-world-can-stick-to-its-carbon-budget-fairly-194876
◼️ 15th, November 2022 – ANSA – COP27: Italy to boost renewables by 70GW in 6 years- Pichetto. Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto said at the COP27 UN Climate Conference in Egypt on Monday that Italy was aiming to boost the amount of energy it produces from renewables by 70 gigawatts within six years. He said this was necessary in order to respect the EU target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55%. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference at the Italian pavilion at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Pichetto said “unblocking” permits for renewable-energy projects was “one of my main objectives”. (ANSA). –https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/11/14/italy-to-boost-renewables-by-70gw-in-6-years-pichetto_18b7cd38-5e0a-4b4c-8719-54ec16033493.html
◼️ 12th, November 2022 – ANSA – Italy needs mixture of caution and investment says Gentiloni. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/world/2022/11/11/italy-needs-mixture-of-caution-and-investments-gentiloni_baae1c26-905e-4c05-8555-00b03f81b763.html
◼️ 8th, November 2022 – COP27: three reasons rich countries can no longer ignore calls to pay developing world for climate havoc https://theconversation.com/cop27-three-reasons-rich-countries-can-no-longer-ignore-calls-to-pay-developing-world-for-climate-havoc-193873
◼️ 5th, November 2022 – Italian gas bills down 12.9% in October. Italian gas bills were down 12.9% in October, market price setter ARERA. This was compared with the third quarter of 2022, it said.
(ANSA).https://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2022/11/03/italian-gas-bills-down-12.9-in-october_eafc124a-3c80-4297-b01d-25dbf50ab00e.html
◼️ 3rd, November 2022 – Bologna to set speed limit at 30km/h from June. Bologna is to set the speed limit in and around the Emilian capital at 30km/h from June, official said Wednesday.
They said the move was aimed at cutting climate-change emissions and raising road safety. (ANSA).https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/11/02/bologna-to-set-speed-limit-at-30km/h-from-june_0fea9f2c-a756-4896-b142-6c557b42e7af.html
◼️ 30th, October 2022 – Eni 9-mt profits up 311% to 10.8 bn. Able to replace 50% of Russian gas this winter says CEO Descalzi. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/business/2022/10/28/eni-9-mt-profits-up-311-to-10.8-bn_01f962ce-c5fc-4351-b310-db3e156ea698.html
◼️ 22nd, October 2022 – Car incentives, the new bonuses start from 2 November. Up to 7,500? for electric. From November 2nd the & quot; new incentives & quot; become operational auto . As we know, at the beginning of October in the Official Gazette the corrections to the car incentives were published as established by the Prime Ministerial Decree adopted by the Government on the proposal of the Minister of Economic Development Giancarlo Giorgetti. Therefore, from 10 am on November 2, the changes will become effective. We briefly recall the news; which essentially concern ISEEs under € 30,000 and companies & agrave; rental https://allinfo.space/2022/10/21/car-incentives-the-new-bonuses-start-from-2-november-up-to-7500-for-electric/
◼️ 19th, October 2022 – ANSA – More EU solidarity on energy needed says Mattarella. More EU solidarity and unity is needed on energy amid spiraling prices due to the Ukraine war, President Sergio Mattarella told his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda at the presidential Quirinale Palace Tuesday, according to the president’s office.
The two men discussed confirming clear support for Ukraine against Russia, recognizing Poland’s work in taking in Ukrainian refugees, and the need for greater European solidarity and unity, starting with the energy issue which risks causing serious consequences for citizens and businesses, the office said. (ANSA).https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2022/10/18/more-eu-solidarity-on-energy-needed-says-mattarella_0b1dfc6b-068c-406e-b644-5bca7a4ce80e.html
◼️ 16th, October 2022 – ANSA – Why the ‘energy price cap’ is confusing – and how it could be better communicated – If you thought energy bills in Britain were capped at £2,500, you are not alone. Even Prime Minister Liz Truss recently made the same mistake, incorrectly claiming that no household would pay more.Ahttps://theconversation.com/why-the-energy-price-cap-is-confusing-and-how-it-could-be-better-communicated-192112
◼️ 14th, October 2022 – ANSA – Energy crisis: how to help small businesses survive and become more sustainable. The number of companies in financial distress has spiked in parts of the UK to the highest level since the 2007-8 global financial crisis laid waste to the global economy. The latest government figures show that in August more than one in ten UK businesses reported a moderate-to-severe risk of insolvency (being unable to pay the bills). Nearly a quarter of these companies say energy prices are their main concern. –https://theconversation.com/energy-crisis-how-to-help-small-businesses-survive-and-become-more-sustainable-191188
◼️ 12th, October 2022 – ANSA – Gas: Italy set for ‘tranquil winter’ says Cingolani. Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said Tuesday that Italy should have enough gas to get through the winter despite uncertainty about supplies from Russia amid the war in Ukraine.2https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/10/11/gas-italy-set-for-tranquil-winter-says-cingolani_37b089db-c0b8-4e10-82b7-83b0d98f8909.html
◼️ 6th, October 2022 – ANSA – Italy rating cut possible without reforms – Moody’s. A cut to Italy’s credit rating is possible without reforms, Moody’s said Wednesday. Moody’s, which did not change its assessment of Italy after the recent general election, pending the formation of a new government, said “we will probably downgrade Italy’s rating if we saw a significant weakening in the country’s medium term growth prospects because of the failure to implement growth-stoking reforms, including those laid out in the (massive EU-funded post-COVID) Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)”.https://www.ansa.it/english/news/business/2022/10/05/italy-rating-cut-possible-without-reforms-moodys_b7071017-c6e3-4f5b-ace1-c7650a52b472.html
◼️ 30th, September 2022 – Electricity bills set to rise 59% says regulator. Italian power regulator ARERA said Thursday that the nation’s already sky-high electricity prices are set to go up even more, with the average family’s bill rising by 59%.
It said that without extraordinary measures to curtain the rise, the increase would have been 100%. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/09/29/electricity-bills-set-to-rise-59-says-regulator_73c9b562-a3e8-44b2-8c7e-f857263cd540.html
◼️ 28th, September 2022 – EC okays 2nd tranche of Italy’s NRRP cash. The European Commission said Tuesday that it has given the green light to Italy’s request for a second tranche of cash for its post-COVID National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or PNRR), worth 21 billion euros, after Rome achieved the necessary reform milestones.https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2022/09/27/ec-okays-2nd-tranche-of-italys-nrrp-cash_4c93da89-e7a7-4b09-a201-7ae80739efe0.html
◼️ 27th, September 2022 –5.2 billion euros in public funding for hydrogen in 13 EU Member States. The European Commission has give its green light to a second Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on hydrogen in which 13 member states are participating. It will provide up to 5.2 billion in public funding, which should unlock a further 7 billion in private investment. https://fasi.eu/en/news-2/81-funding/news/24993-5-2-million-euros-in-public-funding-ofr.html
◼️ 22nd, September 2022 THE CONVERSATION.COM – Energy crisis: how the EU hopes to tackle high power prices while protecting its cross-border electricity market. Europe is getting more of its power from renewable sources every year but, as the current crisis has shown, power markets remain at the mercy of increasingly volatile gas prices. https://theconversation.com/energy-crisis-how-the-eu-hopes-to-tackle-high-power-prices-while-protecting-its-cross-border-electricity-market-191015
◼️ 20th, September 2022 -ANSA – Petrol drops to lowest level in almost a year. Average price of unleaded at self-service pumps below 1.70 euros. the lowest level in almost a year, according to figures released by specialist publication Quotidiano Energia (QE) on Monday. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/09/19/petrol-drops-to-lowest-level-in-almost-a-year_22a95db7-c20f-401e-bc52-6fd2dd292790.html
◼️17th, September 2022 -ANSA -Govt approves third package of energy-cost aid – Support in new decree worth 14 billion euros say sources https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/09/16/govt-approves-third-package-of-energy-cost-aid_2349284b-9077-4ec7-8859-ab8ef1563588.html
◼️16th, September 2022 – ENEA.IT Transport: A new alliance in Italy to improve road and rail safety. Italy is to become the first European country with an integrated system to monitor critical infrastructures thanks to an agreement among ENEA, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobility (MIMS), https://www.enea.it/en/news-enea/news/transport-alliance-ministry-of-sustainable-mobility-enea-ingv-for-road-and-rail-safety/?fbclid=IwAR2JD_uYvML2fOCeoNKD9RanWVhGq2cMwWYw9eIQ82P8YSJ4v9zbC-xHjw8
◼️14th, September 2022 – EUPARLIAMENT
Energy prices: MEPs call for swift measures to shield consumers and businesses. Measures against the dramatic rise in energy prices were up for a debate with the Czech Council Presidency and the Commission on Tuesday.
◼️12th, September 2022 – ANSA
Over 9 million in Italy in ‘serious employment difficulty’. Over nine million people in Italy are in serious difficulty when it comes to employment, according to a report released on Friday by the Di Vittorio Foundation of the CGIL trade union.
The report said that in 2021 16% of the population were jobless, far higher than the official unemployment rate of 9.5%. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/09/09/over-9-million-in-italy-in-serious-employment-difficulty_b6685f68-d9a1-4c13-acf9-4d3b5285be29.html
◼️10th, September 2022 – EUPARLIAMENT. What is carbon neutrality and how can it be achieved by 2050? With the European Climate Law, the EU is committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that mean in practice? https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/priorities/energy/20190926STO62270/what-is-carbon-neutrality-and-how-can-it-be-achieved-by-2050
◼️8th, September 2022 – ANSA
Energy saving plan worth 607 euros per household. The government’s proposed energy saving plan is worth 607 euros per household a year, according to a copy ANSA has obtained and which ranges from savings on showers to those on washing machines. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/09/07/energy-saving-plan-worth-607-euros-per-household_643f5f4f-baaf-44e1-bc75-a422f9427c65.html
◼️3rd, September 2022 – ANSA
If Russia turns off gas to Italy there will be rationing from January, a top Italian think tank said Friday.
“If Russia turned off the gas tap today, with stocks at 83%, at the start of January we will be forced to ration consumption,” Davide Tabarelli, president of Nomisma Energia, told ANSA.
◼️1th, September 2022 – ANSA
Italy hit as Russia cuts gas supplies to Europe. Eni said Wednesday that Italy has been affected after Russia cut gas supplies to Europe and completely halted supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
Gazprom said it was stopping supplies via Nord Stream 1 for three days due to maintenance work.
Eni said Gazprom had told it that Italy would get around 20 million cubic metres of gas on Wednesday, down from around 27 million in recent days. (ANSA).
◼️30th, August 2022 – ANSA
Govt studies gas aid amid party clamour. The Italian government is studying more moves to help households and businesses with spiralling energy hikes amid a Russian gas squeeze and as political parties clamour for rapid action. The measures are being considered as gas and electricity prices in Italy continue to rise and Mario Draghi’s government is also raising efforts to secure an EU-wide gas price cap.
◼️25th, August 2022 – ANSA
Coming up: energy, minimum wages, common charger. MEPs are set to adopt new laws to improve the lives of Europeans in the autumn, including on energy security, gender equality and artificial intelligence.
◼️17th, August 2022 – THE CONVERSATION
Why are gas prices still high despite oil getting cheaper – and what will happen next? Energy expert Q&A.
◼️13th, August 2022 – ANSA
Ferragosto holiday sold out as foreign tourists flock back. Italy’s mid-August Ferragosto holiday is sold-out as foreign tourists have flocked back to Italy after the COVID pandemic break, CNA Turismo e Commercio said Thursday. The tourism body said the results were far better than even the pre-pandemic summer of 2019. Between August 12 and 21, it said, over 10 million tourists will stay in Italian accommodations, traditional and new ones.
◼️10th, August 2022 – THE CONVERSATION
If all the vehicles in the world were to convert to electric, would it be quieter?. If everyone everywhere received a free electric vehicle at the same time – and owners were required to travel at really slow speeds across well-maintained roads – the world would sound different.
◼️4th, August 2022 – ANSA
Prioritize climate crisis scientists tell parties before Italy’s election. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Parisi backs the appeal, says voters should focus on climate emergency too
◼️1st, August 2022 – ANSA
Italian economy has recouped ground lost in pandemic says ministry. 2nd quarter growth of 1% takes GDP above average for 2019
◼️28th, July 2022 – EU PARLIAMENT
Green Deal: key to a climate-neutral and sustainable EU. The Green Deal is the EU’s answer to the ongoing climate crisis. Find out more about this roadmap for a climate-neutral Europe.
◼️26th, July 2022 – EUPARLIAMENT
Passenger rights: travelling in the EU without any worries you set off on your summer holiday, it is good to know that EU passenger rights protect you, should anything go wrong while travelling. EU rules ensure a minimum level of protection for passengers, irrespective of the mode of transport: flight, train, bus, coach or ship.
◼️23rd, July 2022
ANSA
General election to take place on Sept 25.
◼️21st, July 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Reducing carbon emissions: EU targets and measures. To tackle climate change, the European Parliament adopted the European Climate Law, which raises the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target to at least 55% from 40% and makes climate neutrality by 2050 legally binding.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/priorities/climate-change/20180305STO99003/reducing-carbon-emissions-eu-targets-and-measures
◼️20th, July 2022
ANSA
Resignation was painful, obligatory – Draghi. ROME, JUL 20 – Premier Mario Draghi on Wednesday told the Senate that his decision last week to present his resignation after the 5-Star Movement (M5S) failed to back the government in a confidence vote was “as painful as it was obligatory”.
He added that he agreed with President Sergio Mattarella’s decision to refuse to accept the resignation and request for him report on the crisis of government to parliament.
Draghi recalled that Mattarella asked Draghi to form a government of national unity early in 2021 after the collapse of the previous executive to address the health, social and economic emergency Italy was facing in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But he stressed that “a premier who has never presented themselves before voters (at elections) needs broad support (from the political parties)”. (ANSA).
◼️19th, July 2022
ANSA
Algerian gas supplies to Italy to keep growing – Draghi. After significant increases in gas supplies to Italy in recent months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rome’s partnership with the North African country is set to grow further as it seeks to end its reliance on Moscow for energy, Premier Mario Draghi said during a visit to Algiers on Monday
◼️17th, July 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
New EU industrial strategy: the challenges to tackle. MEPs want the EU’s updated industrial strategy to enable European companies to be competitive, clean and resilient, and to also help the shift to a more digital and environmental economy.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/priorities/circular-economy/20201112STO91445/new-eu-industrial-strategy-the-challenges-to-tackle
◼️15th, July 2022
THECONVERSATION
The Uber files: leaked documents reveal a strategy of chaos – has anything changed? Uber has had a controversial history since its founding in 2009, from violent conflicts among drivers to a secret software allegedly used to evade law enforcement. Now, a leak of over 124,000 documents dubbed the Uber filesd shows the extent to which the firm under co-founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick capitalised on that chaos to expand across 40 countries.
https://theconversationuk.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tyhhhdtt-ozjjlhpu-u/
◼️13th, July 2022
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists publishes “The Uber Files, to tmake the global public opinion aware of the techniques Uber utilised to expand its international business. The ICIJ tells “The secret story of how the tech giant won access to world leaders, cozied up to oligarchs and dodged taxes amid chaotic global expansion.” Many thousands of small and medium mobility entrepreneurs, in particular those operating in Passenger transport-on-demand, have been ruined by the above mentioned illegal behaviors. Here’s the link to the ICIJ investigation: https://www.icij.org/investigations/uber-files/
◼️12th, July 2022
ANSA
Gazprom cuts Italy’s gas supplies by a third. Russian energy giant Gazprom on Monday cut its gas supplies to Italy by a third, Italian fuels giant Eni said. The cut came on the same day Gazprom shut down the Nord Stream1 gas pipeline to Europe for 10 days, officially for maintenance. Germany and France, as well as the EU, voices fears of a total stop to Russian gas supplies amid the Ukraine war.
◼️8th, July 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Plenary highlights: digital rules, cost of living, mental health. MEPs adopted new digital rules, discussed how to tackle the rising cost of living and called for action on mental health during the 4-7 July plenary session.
◼️5th, July 2022
ANSA
Italy’s taxi drivers start two-day strike
◼️3rd, July 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Coming up in plenary: digital rules, Ukraine, cost of living. Parliament will vote on new digital rules, discuss the priorities of the Czech presidency and look at rising prices during the plenary session on 4-7 July.
◼️28th, June 2022
ANSA
Climate Crisis: Many cities on red alert as heat wave intensifies. (ANSA) – ROME, JUN 28 – Twelve of Italy’s 27 biggest cities, including Rome, Florence, Naples and Palermo, were put on red alert by the health ministry on Tuesday due to a heat wave that has pushed temperatures well above the seasonal average, with thermometers hitting peaks of 40°C. The number on red alert is set to rise to 19 on Wednesday.
Italy’s regions of Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany, Trentino Alto Adige, Val d’Aosta and Veneto, meanwhile, are braced for a wave of storms that is forecast to hit the north.
The current heat wave, the latest in series to have already hit Italy this year even though summer has only just begun, has exacerbated the nation’s drought crisis that comes after months of low rainfall and an extremely dry winter.
Italy’s civil protection department has failed to rule out water rationing during the day because of the drought, which is causing massive problems for agriculture.
Civil Protection Department Head Fabrizio Curcio told Sky Tg24 on Monday that the volume of water in the Po, Italy’s longest river, was up to 80% lower than usual.
More frequent and intense droughts and heat waves are among the consequences of human-caused climate change, scientists say.
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/06/28/climate-many-cities-on-red-alert-as-heat-wave-intensifies_087493a1-0f63-43db-bc01-b4b2e42be0b1.html
◼️25th, June 2022
ANSA
Lombardy on Friday declared a state of emergency for drought in the northern region after water levels in the Po fell by over three quarters amid the worst drought in 70 years. A decree by Governor Attilio Fontana cited the “grave situation of water deficit” and said it needed to “support the population, the environment and the productive activities”. The decree, in force until September 30, urges all citizens to “use water in an extremely parsimonious way, sustainable and effective, limiting its consumption to the minimum indispensable”. Town councils are urged to restrict the use of drinking water. (ANSA).
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/06/24/lombardy-declares-drought-state-of-emergency_7ea02ddc-d242-4964-bea4-b683c144197e.html
◼️23rd, June 2022
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Climate change: Parliament pushes for faster EU action and energy independence. MEPs adopted their position on three key EU draft laws to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and to protect jobs and citizens.
◼️21st, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Coming up: green deal, gas reserves, Ukraine. MEPs will vote on plans to cut carbon emissions, boost gas storage and support for countries hosting Ukrainian refugees in the 22-23 June plenary session.
◼️18th, June 2022
ANSA ENGLISH
Climate Crisis: Italy’s drought emergency escalates. Half of north Italy’s agricultural output at risk says farmers association; water use limited to essential purposes in scores of towns.
◼️16th, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Cutting emissions from planes and ships: EU actions explained. Emissions from planes and ships are increasing, while the EU wants to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Read about EU measures to reduce their emissions. Despite only accounting for about 8% of the EU’s total emissions, emissions from aviation and shipping are increasing. In an effort to cut the EU’s total emissions 55% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050, the EU has ambitious plans to counteract climate change. The legislative package called Fit for 55 aims to deliver the EU’s Green Deal’s objectives, includes proposals to reduce emissions from both sectors.
◼️15th, June 2022
ANSA
Israel to help Europe with gas, Bennett says after Draghi talks. Israel is set to help Europe to obtain alternative sources of gas to Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said as he made a joint statement with Italian Premier Mario Draghi after a meeting in Jerusalem.
◼️11th, June 2022
ANSA
Petrol prices up again to 2.018 euros a litre. Gas prices in Italy have risen further, with the average price of unleaded petrol at self-service pumps climbing to 2.018 euros a litre, up from 2.009 euros last week, according to data from Quotidiano Energia.
It said the average price of a litre of diesel was 1.939 euros, up from 1.924. (ANSA).
◼️9th, June 2022
ANSA
Draghi signs flagship Hydrogen Valley protocol. Premier Mario Draghi on Wednesday signed the protocols with the regions involved for the Hydrogen Valley project, one of the flagship elements of Italy’s post-COVID National Recovery and Resilience Plann (NRRP), which is being funded with almost 200 billion euros of EU grants and low-interest loans.
“The project of the regions of Piedmont, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Basilicata and Puglia aims to create Green hydrogen production sites in disused industrial areas,” Draghi said.
“It contributes to stimulating growth and creating employment.
“It takes us nearer to our energy and climate goals, which the government is determined to keep and, what’s more, pursue with greater and greater conviction”. (ANSA).
◼️8th, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Cutting EU greenhouse gas emissions: national targets for 2030. To help fight climate change, the EU has set ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The EU wants to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and this target, along with an interim target of 55% emission reduction by 2030, are set in the European Climate Law. The EU has launched various initiatives to reach these targets. One of them is the Effort Sharing Regulation, which is being updated as part of the Fit for 55 legislative package.
◼️7th, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
EP TODAY, Tuesday 7 June. In two debates with Commission Vice-President Timmermans and the French Presidency, at 9.00 and 14.30, MEPs will discuss eight proposals to combat climate change by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to protect jobs and citizens, part of the “Fit for 55” in 2030 package. In the morning, they will look into the revision of the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the Social Climate Fund. The afternoon debate will focus on the new CO2 emissions reductions for new cars and the rules on land use and forestry. The votes will take place on Wednesday.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/it/press-room/20220531IPR31806/ep-today-tuesday-7-june
◼️6th, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Emissions from planes and ships: facts and figures (infographic). Greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation and shipping have grown rapidly over the past three decades. Check out our infographics. Although aviation and shipping each account for only about 4% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, they have been the fastest growing sources of emissions that contribute to climate change.
◼️4th, June 2022
ANSA
Climate Crisis: Italy’s seas are feeling the heat says Greenpeace. Italy’s seas are feeling the effects of the climate crisis in a big way, with rising water temperatures causing drastic changes to marine biodiversity, according to a new report by Greenpeace.
The second edition of the Mare Caldo (Hot Sea) report, prepared with the University of Genoa’s DiSTAV Earth, Environment and Life Sciences Department, said species that are sensitive to the special nature of Italy’s seas are disappearing while species that are better suited to warmer waters, often alien ones, are proliferating.
◼️3th, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
CO2 emissions from cars: facts and figures (infographics). Ever wondered how much CO2 is emitted by cars or whether electric vehicles really are a cleaner alternative? Check out our infographics to find out. Transport was responsible for about a quarter of the EU’s total CO2 emissions in 2019, of which 71.7% came from road transportation, according to a report from the European Environment Agency. The EU aims to achieve a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 2050, compared with 1990. This is part of its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 under the European Green Deal roadmap.
◼️2nd, June 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and its reform in brief. The EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) aims to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions. Discover how it works and why a reform is needed.
◼️1st, June 2022
ANSA
Draghi says ‘satisfied’ with results of EU summit. Italy pleased with energy price cap ‘study’ by EC says PM
◼️31st, May 2022
EU PARLIAMENT
Metsola on Ukraine: We need to disentangle ourselves from Russian energy. Roberta Metsola called on EU leaders to commit to long-term engagement when it comes to Ukraine, including securing energy independence for the EU.
◼️29th May, 2022
ANSA
13 mn Italians travelling over June 2 long weekend-hoteliers. Some 13 million Italians will be travelling over the June 2 Republic Day long weekend, hoteliers group Federalberghi said Friday.
Many Italians have taken Monday off so they can have a four-day break including the holiday on Tuesday. Some 87.4% of travellers will stay in Italy, Federalberghi said. The majority will go seaside destinations (44.5%), followed by art cities (21.3%) and the mountains (8.8%). The 12.6% going abroad will mostly choose major European capitals and cruises, Federalberghi said. Retail group Confcommercio confirmed the figures saying that nine million Italians had already booked their trips and a further 4.3 million may leave at the last minute. (ANSA).
◼️24th May, 2022
ANSA
Cutting EU greenhouse gas emissions: national targets for 2030. The Effort Sharing Regulation sets national targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions to help the EU reach net zero emissions by 2050.
◼️22nd May, 2022
ANSA
Highway company to give cash back for road works. Toll fees to be reimbursed by 25%-100%. Italy’s highway company Autostrade per l’Italia (ASPI) is to give cash back for road works, the anti-trust authority announced on Friday.
Users of the motorway network will be given back part of their toll fees in proportion to the delays they suffered from construction and maintenance work on the motorways, the body said.
The paybacks will range from 25% to 100%.
In view of the company’s willingness to give the compensation, the authority only fined ASPI the minimum rate of 10,000 euros, sources said. (ANSA).
◼️21st May, 2022
EU PARLIAMENT – REPORT CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change: better using EU forests as carbon sinks. Learn how the EU wants to use forests’ power to absorb CO2 to fight climate change and reduce its carbon footprint even further through our infographics.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/priorities/climate-change/20170711STO79506/climate-change-better-using-eu-forests-as-carbon-sinks
◼️20th May, 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
EU must strengthen support for citizens and businesses and help for Ukraine.
- Existing EU funds need to be boosted by other means, such as profit tax for energy companies, and seizing Russian oligarch assets
- Temporary EU social resilience package should be set up
- New strategic autonomy fund could boost energy and food security
◼️19th May, 2022
SUSTAINALBLE BUS
Genoa’s public transport electric transition project is taking more and more shape with the presentation, held today, of the first units of the 30-vehicles batch of Solaris 12-metre electric buses. The delivery of all 30 will be completed by July. By the end of the year also a further 15 10.5-metre Irizar e-buses are scheduled […
https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/solaris-electric-buses-genoa-amt/
◼️16th May, 2022
ANSA
Incentives for low-impact cars, scooters kick in. Discounts of up to 5,000 euros for Green vehicles
◼️14th May, 2022
STARTMAGAZINE.IT
Reducing car emissions: new CO2 targets for cars and vans explained. Updated: 12-05-2022. To reduce car emissions, MEPs propose tougher CO2 limits on cars and vans to reach zero emissions on roads by 2035. In an effort to deliver on its ambitious climate goals, the EU is revising legislation in sectors that have a direct impact under the Fit for 55 package. This includes transport, the only sector in which greenhouse gas emissions remain higher than in 1990, having increased more than 25%. Transport accounts for a fifth of total EU emissions.
◼️13th May, 2022
EUNEWS
EU court raps Italy for breaching air-quality norms. The European Court of Justice on Thursday rapped Italy for breaching air-quality norms.
The Court approved an infraction procedure by the European Commission for the “systematic and continuous” breach of the annual limit on nitrogen dioxide in the air.
◼️11th May, 2022
ANSA
Ukraine: Gas flows to Italy have not slowed says SNAM. Gas infrastructure company SNAM said Wednesday that flows of gas to Italy have not slowed after Ukraine’s gas grid operator said it was cutting Russian gas flowing to Europe through two sections of its network that were under the control of Russian troops. (ANSA).
◼️10th May, 2022
Draghi flies to Washington to meet Biden at White House.Premier Mario Draghi is flying to Washington on Monday where he will meet United States President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.
◼️7th May, 2022
Venice’s MOSE flood barriers will be be completed in December 2023, MOSE commissioner Elisabetta Spitz said Friday.
Ahead of their completion, the ‘Moses’ barriers have already started saving the lagoon city from its endemic acqua alta flooding.
The project has been dogged by cost and work overruns. (ANSA).
◼️6th May, 2022
SUSTAINABLE BUS
Bologna welcomes a fleet of VDL e-buses. 21 Citea Electric on delivery. TPER welcomed yesterday its first VDL Citea SLF-120 Electric, the first of a supply of 21 e-buses that was the subject of a tender awarded to the Dutch group
https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/bologna-tper-electric-buses-vdl/
◼️5 May, 2022
ANSA
European regions have varying circular-economy models – research. A new European study has said that Lombardy and other highly urbanised areas – such as Berlin, ×le-de-France, Madrid and Zürich – should accelerate efforts to make better use of their trash.
◼️03 MAY 2022
ANSA
Italy’s employment rate reaches record high – ISTAT, said Monday that Italy’s employment rate reached 59.9% in March, with over 23.04 million people in work here, the highest level on record since the start of the statistical series in 2004.
The national statistics agency said the number of people in employment in Italy rose by 81,000 in March compared to February and by 804,000 with respect to the same month in 2021.
◼️01 MAY 2022
ANSA
Italy says goodbye to most COVID-19 restrictions. Italy takes a big step back towards normality on Sunday when most of the country’s remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be dropped.
As of May Day, it will no longer be necessary to have the ‘base Green Pass’, which shows a person is vaccinated for COVID, has recovered from it or tested negative in the last few days, to eat and drink inside at bars and restaurants or to go health centres, gyms, sporting events, night clubs and conferences.
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/04/29/italy-says-goodbye-to-most-covid-19-restrictions_52121562-95eb-463e-b08c-24817ed58ea2.html
◼️29 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Ambitious budget interventions if needed – Franco. “Ambitious” budget interventions will be made to defend the economy from the effects of the war in Ukraine if necessary, Economy Minister Daniele Franco told the Confcommercio-Ambrosetti Forum on Thursday.
Franco said both Italy’s economic policy and the EU’s “must adapt to the change in circumstances.
“We absolutely must avoid another recession,” the minister added.
◼️27 APRIL 2022
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EU takes steps to suspend all duties on imports from Ukraine. The European Commission has proposed today to suspend for one year import duties on all Ukrainian exports to the European Union. The proposal, which is an unprecedented gesture of support for a country at war, would also see the suspension for one year of all EU anti-dumping and safeguard measures in place on Ukrainian steel exports.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_2671
◼️23 APRIL 2022
THELOCAL.IT
Italy plans to cut air conditioner use to save energy.
https://www.thelocal.it/20220422/italy-plans-to-cut-air-conditioner-use-to-save-energy
◼️22 APRIL 2022
SUSTAINABLE BUS
Switch Mobility to showcase Metrocity at BUS2BUS in Berlin (and new 12m e-bus at European Mobility Expo in Paris). Switch Mobility will showcase its new Metrocity electric bus at BUS2BUS in Berlin and, most important, its new 12-meter vehicle at Euro Mobility Expo in Paris, two of the main public transport exhibitions scheduled for 2022 in Europe. Switch Mobility new manufacturing and technology centre will be built on a greenfield site in the Soto
https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/switch-mobility-bus2bus/
◼️20 APRIL 2022
SUSTAINABLE BUS
Italian Autoguidovie and the tender for 120 electric buses. 67 million euros investment for 120 electric buses. Autoguidovie, the main Italian private-owned public transport company, with activities in the north of the country, speeds up its investment plans towards zero-emission mobility, and last week published a large tender for the purchase of battery-electric buses. The tender specifications state that bids must be received by […]
https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/autoguidovie-electric-bus-tender/
◼️20 APRIL 2022
ANSA
IMF cuts Italy growth forecasts to 2.3% in 2022, 1.7% 2023. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its Italy growth forecasts to 2.3% in 2022, and 1.7% in 2023, respectively down 1.5 percentage points and 0.5 points on the last such forecasts in January.
Growth will continue to slow, reaching 0.5% in 2017, the IMF said.
Italy and Germany are the eurozone countries which have seen the growth forecasts cut the most because of their relaince on Russian gas amid the Ukraine conflict.
The IMF said the Ukraine war would crimp growth and high inflation was a “clear danger”. (ANSA).
◼️19 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Big potential on gas deal with Congo-Draghi-Sassou-N’Guesso. Premier Mario Draghi had a phone conversation with Congo President Dénis Sassou N’Guesso Tuesday morning and agreed on the broad potential for bilateral partnership, in particular in the energy sector, a statement from the premier’s office said.
Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cinglani are set to visit the African country and Angola this week to negotiate gas deals to help cut Rome’s reliance on Russian gas amid the Ukraine war.
Draghi was set to lead the mission but has had to pull out after contracting COVID-19.
In their phone conversation, Draghi and Sassou N’Guesso also agreed to meet in person shortly. (ANSA).
◼️14 APRIL 2022
THELOCAL.IT
Italy to decide on lifting Covid mask mandate after Easter. Italy’s government is expected to end the requirement to wear masks in public places at the end of April, but a final decision is yet to come.
https://www.thelocal.it/20220414/italy-to-decide-on-lifting-covid-mask-mandate-after-easter/
◼️13 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Ukraine: Italy always has channel open with Russia-Di Maio. ROME, APR 13 – Italy always has a channel open with Russia in the hopes of reaching a peace deal in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday. “The fundamental issue is diplomacy,” he told Radio Anch’io.
“Precisely when the sides refuse to work on diplomacy we must accelerate on this
◼️11 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Draghi travels to Algeria to sign gas agreement. ROME, APR 11 – Premier Mario Draghi and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio are travelling to Algeria on Monday to sign an agreement on gas supplies as Italy seeks to end its reliance on Russia gas following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Di Maio said the deal will make it possible to address eventual “Russian blackmail over gas”.
On Sunday Rome described Russia’s demands for payments of gas supplies to be made in roubles as “unacceptable”. (ANSA)
◼️11APRIL 2022
ANSA
Some 14 million Italians will start travelling again at Easter, hotel group Federalberghi said Friday.
One in four (24.9%) will take advantage of the April 25 Liberation Day holiday to make a long holiday ‘bridge’, it said.
Some 89.5% of Easter travellers will stay in Italy while 10.5% will choose a foreign location, the survey said.
The favourite destinations for those staying in Italy will be the seaside (28.9%), art cities (28,7%), and the mountains (16.4%).
For those going abroad, major European capitals will win out (57.8%). (ANSA).
◼️11APRIL 2022
ANSA
Draghi travels to Algeria to sign gas agreement. ROME, APR 11 – Premier Mario Draghi and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio are travelling to Algeria on Monday to sign an agreement on gas supplies as Italy seeks to end its reliance on Russia gas following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Di Maio said the deal will make it possible to address eventual “Russian blackmail over gas”.
On Sunday Rome described Russia’s demands for payments of gas supplies to be made in roubles as “unacceptable”. (ANSA)
◼️09APRIL 2022
THELOCAL.IT
After two years with limited opportunities to visit Italy, Covid restrictions are easing and travel is resuming. But what can you expect if you haven’t visited for a while?
https://www.thelocal.it/20220408/travel-what-to-expect-if-youre-coming-to-italy-this-easter/
◼️08 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Premier Mario Draghi reiterated on Thursday that Italy was ready to back new European Union on Russia, including energy measures, if necessary to put further pressure on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
“The European Commission has announced a new package of sanctions that Italy supports with conviction,” Draghi told a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is in Rome.
“We are ready for new steps, including on the energy front, together with our partners.
“The EU must show conviction and rapidity”.
On Wednesday Draghi has said Italy would comply if the European Union decided to impose an embargo on Russian gas.
An embargo of this kind would cause massive problems for Italy as it imports around 40% of its gas from Russia.
“Do we want to have peace or do we want to have the air conditioning on?” he said.
He said Italy’s gas needs covered until October even if Moscow turned off the supply of its gas. (ANSA).
◼️07 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Draft DEF puts 2022 GDP growth at 3.1%, deficit 5.6% Growth forecast down from 4.7%, deficit target confirmed. A draft of the governments DEF economic and financial blueprint puts 2022 GDP growth at 3.1%, down from 4.7% in a previous estimate, and confirms a budget deficit of 5.6%, according to a copy of the document which ANSA has seen.
The DEF will be examined by the cabinet Wednesday afternoon after first being assessed by the government’s ‘control room’ advisory body.
The DEF forms the basis for the government’s economic policy and budget for the coming year.
photo: Economy Minister Daniele Franco (ANSA).
◼️06 APRIL 2022
ANSA
EU moves to make sustainable products the norm. The first package of measures for the Circular Economy presented by the von der Leyen Commission aims to make products of the future repairable, recyclable, durable and more energy efficient.
The general framework is provided by a proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which broadens the scope of the current eco-design and energy labelling directive, increasing the number of requirements and sectors covered.
It will no longer just regard electrical appliances, but “all products, except food, feed and medicines” explained European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius.
The requirements do not just regard efficiency, but also sustainability and circularity.
The new obligations will concern all products on sale in the EU market, including imported ones.
An essential instrument for this titanic feat, which will take years to achieve and may have its first concrete effects after 2030, is a digital-traceability infrastructure: a passport that certifies to consumers and businesses how much a product is truly sustainable, repairable and recyclable.
Long time frames look inevitable.
The Commission is increasing the quantity of the requirements and the number of sectors subject to them, but it will not change method.
◼️05 APRIL 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Why is the EU’s right to repair legislation important? Ahead of a planned European Commission proposal on the right to repair during the third quarter of 2022, Parliament is set to outline its priorities on 7 April. The right to repair is seen as a key step for the the EU’s plan to achieve circular economy by 2050 in the framework of the European Green Deal, the EU’s roadmap to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
◼️04 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Stopping war is possible says Mattarella. ROME, APR 4 – President Sergio Mattarella said Monday that it is possible to stop war even as conflict rages in Ukraine in his message for the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
“This is a time that makes us understand even better the value of peaceful co-existence, of the respect of international conventions to reduce the impact of wars on populations, of cooperation between peoples,” Mattarella said in a massage to Santina Bianchini, the head of the Italian Campaign Against Mines (Campagna Italiana Contro le Mine Onlus).
“Stopping wars and destruction is possible, affirming everywhere the reasons of human civilization that we do not intend to disregard.
“Every war is inhuman,” the head of State continued.
“Decisions can be taken in wars that are so cruel that they cut through every limit of horror.
“Planting landmines and using special explosives that am to terrorize the population and cause massacres of unarmed civilians is one of these and it is a crime against humanity that is added to the responsibility for conflict”. (ANSA).
◼️02 APRIL 2022
THELOCAL.IT
Italy’s state of emergency is over ‘but the pandemic isn’t’, says health minister. Italy enters a ‘new phase’ from April 1st, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said, as the country prepares to ease many of its Covid-19 health restrictions.
◼️01 APRIL 2022
ANSA
Italy bids farewell to COVID-19 state of emergency. Health Minister Speranza warns pandemic is not over.ROME, APR 1 – For the first time since January 31, 2020, Italy is no longer in a COVID-19 state of emergency as of Friday, as the nation moves forward with phasing out the measures linked to the pandemic and returning to normality.
With the state of emergency expiring on Thursday, the CTS panel of experts advising the government on its coronavirus measures and the office of COVID-19 Extraordinary Commissioner Francesco Figliuolo ceased to be operative.
They have been replaced by a special health ministry unit tasked with completing the COVID vaccination campaign and adopting other measures regarding the pandemic, which will be active until the end of the year.
The colour system under which Italian regions were classified from low-COVID-risk white to high-risk red have gone too, although monitoring of contagion will continue.
It is no longer be necessary to have the ‘base Green Pass’, which shows a person is vaccinated for COVID, has recovered from it or has tested negative in the last few days, to enter public offices, shops, banks and post offices.
But it is still be needed to consume inside at bars and restaurants.
The pass is no longer be needed to travel on public transport but it will still be obligatory to wear facemasks on local transit until April 30.
It is now possible for sporting stadiums to be 100% full as of April 1 although the base Green Pass is needed to enter.
The Super Green Pass, which can only be obtained by people who are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus and not via a negative test, remains obligatory for health centres, gyms, indoor sporting events, night clubs and conferences until April 30.
People who have come into contact with someone who has caught the coronavirus no longer have to go into quarantine, even if they are unvaccinated.
Only people who have actually caught the virus have to self-isolate.
“The pandemic is not over, it’s just that now we are managing it with ordinary instruments,” said Health Minister Roberto Speranza.
“The real challenge now is to rebuild a new national health service.
“It is the most important thing we have”. (ANSA).
◼️31 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Set a ceasefire ASAP Draghi tells Putin. Premier Mario Draghi on Wednesday told Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone that a ceasefire in Ukraine should be set as soon as possible, the premier’s office said. It said Draghi had underscored the importance of establishing a ceasefire as soon as possible in order to protect the civilian population and support negotiating efforts.
The Italian premier also reaffirmed the Italian government’s willingness to contribute to the peace process, in the presence of clear signs of de-escalation on Russia’s part, the office said.
The two leaders agreed on the need to keep in touch on the situation, it said.
The Kremlin said Putin reported on developments in Tuesday’s negotiations in Istanbul between Moscow and Kyiv delegations and on Moscow’s request to get gas supply payments in roubles.
Before the one-hour phone conversation Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Rome had recognised “the diplomatic steps taken” after Moscow promised to de-escalate military activity around Kyiv following its invasion of Ukraine.
But he added that “we will assess the Russian announcements on the basis of the deeds”, warning against “delusions”.
Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian vows to pull troops back from Kyiv and Chernihiv had been false. (ANSA).
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2022/03/30/set-a-ceasefire-asap-draghi-tells-putin_4292cafc-6491-4626-958a-72ad35e9cb00.html
◼️30 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Industrial turnover up 16.9% in Jan. ROME, MAR 30 – Italy’s Industrial turnover was up16.9% in the year to January, ISTAT said Wednesday. It was up 2.3% between December and January, the tats agency said.
Producer prices were 32.8% up in the year to February, ISTAT added. (ANSA).
◼️29 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Italy backs Ukraine, ready to help effort to end war Draghi tells Zelensky. Premier Mario Draghi conferred by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Monday and reaffirmed the Italian government’s firm support for the Ukrainian people and authorities and Italy’s full willingness to contribute to international action to put en end to the war and promote a lasting solution to the Ukraine crisis, the premier’s office said. The G7 refused Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand to pay for gas in roubles Monday, saying this showed his back was to the wall, while the Kremlin again condemned US President Joe Biden’s remark that Putin cannot stay on as “alarming”. (ANSA).
◼️27 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Consumer confidence down to lowest since Jan 2021. Italian consumer confidence has sunk to its lowest level since January 2021, ISTAT said Friday.
In March, it is estimated to have dropped from 112.4 to 100.8, the stats agency said.
Business confidence showed a less sharp drop, from 107.9 to 105.4.
ISTAT said the fall in consumer confidence “is essentially due to the strong deterioration of expectations both on the country’s economic situation and on the personal one, as well as increase in expectations on unemployment”. (ANSA).
◼️25 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Ukraine:Extraordinary unity in condemning aggression-Draghi. The G7 and NATO summits showed extraordinary unity in condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine Thursday, Premier Mario Draghi said.
He said they were ready to beef up sanctions if necessary.
“We must use sanctions but we still desperately want peace,” he said.
Draghi called on China to “contribute” to the peace process.
He said the plight of Ukrainian refugees posed a “humanitarian drama”, and the UN must intervene.
Draghi reiterated that a no-fly zone over Ukraine was “impossible” for NATO or the EU and said Italy had also reiterated a pledge to up military soending to 2% of GDP in line with NATO requirements.
“We discussed energy and agri-food security and the EU wants to become independent from Russian gas,” he said. Draghi called for measures against speculative fuel prices
◼️24 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Growth forecasts to be substantially revised – Franco. Economy Minister Daniele Franco said Wednesday that the forecast for Italy’s GDP growth this year is set to be cut in a big way after Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. “Economic activity will slow and, for Italy, the revision of the latest (growth) forecast of the European Commission (of 4.1% for 2022) could be significant and inflation will continue to rise,” Franco told the Bloomberg Italy Capital Markets Forum. (ANSA).
◼️23 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Italy’s GDP to rise 3% this year – undersecretary. ROME, MAR 22 – Economy Ministry Undersecretary Maria Cecilia Guerra told Radio 24 on Tuesday that Italy’s GDP is likely to rise by “about 3%” this year.
That is down from the forecast of growth of 4.7% given in the government’s NADEF economic blueprint, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/business/2022/03/22/italys-gdp-to-rise-3-this-year-undersecretary_ae6d5ca0-2685-4267-a023-8e4b6918cb49.html
◼️22 MARCH 2022
REUTERS.COM
Italy approves decree to curb energy costs, strengthen anti-takeover powers. Italy on Friday approved measures to help consumers and firms cope with surging energy costs exacerbated by the Ukraine crisis, in a wide-ranging decree that also strengthens Rome’s powers to shield key assets from foreign bids. The package, worth 4.4-billion euro ($4.86 billion), is the latest step to curb energy and fuel prices and comes on top of some 16 billion euros budgeted since last July to try and soften electricity and gas bills for firms and households.
◼️22 MARCH 2022
ITALIAN GOVERNMENT
Ukraine, PM Draghi’s call with President Biden, President Macron, Chancellor Scholz and PM Johnson. The President of the Council of Ministers, Mario Draghi, had a telephone conversation this afternoon with US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ahead of next Thursday’s NATO summit and President Biden’s participation in the next European Council meeting.
◼️21 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Ukraine: 60,000 refugees in Italy so far. 30,000 women, 24,000 kids and 5,000 men
◼️19 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Ukraine: EU’s most urgent challenge is energy says Draghi. The EU’s most urgent challenge with the Ukraine war is energy, Premier Mario Draghi said after talks in Rome with the premiers of Spain, Greece and Portugal Friday.
◼️18 MARCH 2022
ANSA
PM Draghi’s meeting with President Sánchez, Prime Minister Costa and Prime Minister Mitsotakis. The President of the Council of Ministers, Mario Draghi, will meet at Villa Madama in Rome, on Friday 18 March at 11am, with the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, with the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, António Costa, and, via video link, with the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Following their meeting, at approximately 12.30, the leaders will issue joint statements to the press.
◼️17 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Ukraine: Zelensky to address Italian parliament March 22. In videolink with MPs and Senators at Montecitorio.
◼️15 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Ukraine: Onward united, firm condemnation of Russia-Draghi-Sullivan. Premier Mario Draghi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday met on the Ukraine war in Rome and agreed on “firm condemnation for the unjustified aggression by Russia and the need to continue to pursue a decided and united response towards Moscow,” the premier’s office said.
The two men assessed developments and implications of the war, it said. (ANSA).
◼️14 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Negotiating renewables deal with Algeria, Libya – Di Maio. Italy is negotiating a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy with Algeria and Libya as it seeks to pivot from its dependence on Russian gas amid the Ukraine war, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Monday.
◼️11 MARCH 2022
ANSA
Intl. tourism expenditure up in 2021 but below pre-Covid era Half of 2019 expenditure says Bank of Italy. Total expenditure by international tourists visiting Italy – and of Italians travelling abroad – recovered in 2021 but tourism flows remained half of those recorded in 2019, before the COVID pandemic, the Bank of Italy said on Friday.
◼️11 MARCH 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Conference on the Future of Europe: follow the fourth Plenary on Friday-Saturday. The Plenary will focus on the 88 recommendations by the Panels on ‘EU in the world / migration’ and ‘A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / Education, culture, youth and sport / Digital transformation’, and related recommendations from National Citizens’ Panels. You can find out more here. The situation in Ukraine is expected to be discussed during the Plenary, with the participation of Ukrainian citizens.
◼️08 MARCH 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
Debate on rising energy prices and manipulation on the gas market. At around 18:15, MEPs will quiz Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on possible anti-competitive behaviour that may have contributed to the dramatic rise in energy prices. You can follow the debate live on EP Multimedia Centre or EbS+.
◼️03 MARCH 2022
EUPARLIAMENT
New EU rules for more sustainable and ethical batteries. As batteries become a strategic market, the European Parliament is working on new rules to tackle related environmental, ethical and social issues.
◼️01 MARCH 2022
ITALIANSECURITY.LUISS.IT
The backlash of Russian sanctions on Italian economy. The conflict in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by the international community against Russia will have a very heavy impact on Italian companies, according to Confartigianato, the most representative Italian organization for craft and micro and small business.
https://italiansecurity.luiss.it/economy/the-backlash-of-russian-sanctions-on-italian-economy/
◼️28 FEBRUARY 2022
The Lazio Region has decided to sponsor the social solidarity campaign that Aims is conducting in favor of vaccination against the pandemic: “Vaccinated for sustainable mobility”. From today, this window sticker will appear on the cars of the members adhering to Aims: VETROFANIA Join the campaign, vaccinated to make everyone’s mobility more sustainable.
◼️EUPARLIAMENT – 26 FEBRUARY 2022
With Ukraine coming under attack from Russia, the EU is keen to support Kyiv and forge closer links. Find out how. Since withdrawing from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has been keen to pursue its own path, including forging closer links with the rest of Europe. Ukraine’s relations with Russia have been tense due to the latter’s determination to keep the country within its sphere of influence. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea in violation of international law, a move strongly condemned by the EU. It has also been waging a hybrid war against Ukraine, including economic pressure and disinformation attacks.
◼️EUPARLIAMENT – 23 FEBRUARY 2022
La presidente della Commissione accoglie a Bruxelles Jonas Gahr Store per discutere di aumenti di forniture di gas all’UE, in piena crisi di approvvigionamento. La Norvegia è il secondo principale fornitore di gas all’UE dopo Mosca e la compagnia di bandiera Equinor Norway ha aumentato i flussi verso il continente già da ottobre
◼️EUPARLIAMENT – 21 FEBRUARY 2022
EU progress towards its 2020 climate change goals (infographic). Updated 21 February 2022.
◼️EUPARLIAMENT – 18 FEBRUARY 2022
Parliament approves greener road charging rules. Parliament has approved new, distance-based road charging rules for lorries, which will help reduce CO2 emissions.
◼️ ROMAMOBILITA.IT – 17 FEBRUARY 2022
Bus line 64: drivers and passengers like the new electric bus. The results of the survey carried out by Roma Servizi per la Mobilità during the experimentation on line 64.
https://romamobilita.it/en/media/bus-line-64-drivers-and-passengers-new-electric-bus
◼️ ANSA.IT – 15 FEBRUARY 2022
Electricity bills up 131% Q1, gas up 94%. ARERA reports steep hikes despite govt action. Italian electricity bills will rise 131% in the first quarter of the year while gas bills will go up 94%, power regulator.
◼️ ANSA.IT – 12 FEBRUARY 2022
Important to maintain growth says Draghi. It is Important for Italy to maintain GDP growth, Premier Mario Draghi told a press conference Friday.
Draghi said growth will slow in the first quarter even though Italy’s GDP hike of 4.1% forecast by the EU is still higher than Germany or France.
◼️ ANSA.IT – 10 FEBRUARY 2022
Rethink policy or risk recession says banking chief Patuelli. ABI Chief says energy crisis worst since 1973
◼️ ANSA.IT – 2 FEBRUARY 2022
Inflation surges to 4.8% in Jan, highest since ’96 Energy prices up a record 38.6%. Italian inflation surged to 4.8% in January from 3.9% in December, and is now at its highest since 1996, ISTAT said.
Energy prices showed their biggest hike ever, up 38.6%.
◼️ EUROPEAN COMMISSION – 2 FEBRUARY 2022
European Commission adopts new initiatives for sustainable and smart mobility. Urban mobility: new Commission guidance on regulating taxis and private hire vehicles for more sustainable, accessible and fair services. The European Commission adopted today a guidance notice for national and local authorities on regulating taxis and private hire vehicles. The guidance clarifies how internal market rules should be applied to taxis and private hire vehicles, and how appropriate regulation can make these services more sustainable, accessible, and fair. For instance, the guidance advises against regulation leading to empty runs, such as an obligation for private hire vehicles to return to garage in between rides or geographical restrictions that prevent drivers from taking passengers on return trips from remote locations. The guidance encourages ‘pooling’ of passengers, more sustainable vehicle fleets, and integration with public transport and active mobility. It also emphasises that requirements to become a driver and operating conditions should be simple and proportionate.
◼️ NIKKEI ASIA – 27 JANUARY 2022
Nissan-Renault draw closer by Sharing EV platforms and batteries. Alliance including Mitsubishi Motors to pour $26bn to roll out 35 models by 2030. TOKYO — Nissan Motor, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors are forging a closer relationship, by sharing new solid-state batteries to bring down the prices of electric vehicles, the carmakers announced on Thursday.
◼️ TRANSPORT & ENVIRONMENT – 18 JANUARY 2022
Majority support tighter EU car emissions rules and are willing to pay. Public says it wants the cleanest cars possible as EU Commission weighs up proposals for new rules on vehicle emissions. A large majority of people support stronger EU air pollution rules for carmakers to make vehicles as clean as possible, a new YouGov survey shows. More than three-quarters (76%) of those polled said, when asked, that manufacturers should be legally obliged to reduce emissions from new cars as much as technically feasible. YouGov, commissioned by Transport & Environment (T&E), surveyed more than 8,000 people in seven EU countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania and Czechia.
◼️ THE CONVERSATION – 25 JANUARY 2022
Methane in the atmosphere is at an all-time high – here’s what it means for climate change. Methane recently reached 1,900 parts per billion (ppb) of Earth’s atmosphere according to measurements taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US. This compares with about 700 ppb before the industrial revolution.
◼️ OXFORD MARTIN SCHOOL
Panel Discussion: “Towards COP27: moving forwards after COP26”. At the end of 2021, the world looked with great expectation towards Glasgow for the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, COP26.
https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/events/towards-cop27/
◼️ ANSA
Petrol pump prices up to highest since 2013. Italian petrol pump prices have risen to their highest since September 2013, the ecological transition ministry said Tuesday.
The average price of self-service petrol in Italy has risen over the past week by 2.43 cents, to 1.778 euros, the ministry said.
Diesel prices are up 2.69 cents to 1.647 euros.
GPL is steady at 0.816 euros.
Heating diesel is up 2.92 cents to 1.466 euros.
◼️ ANSA
Mobility of the future takes centre stage at Expo 2020. Expo 2020 Dubai’s first thematic week of the year, the sixth of the World Fair so far, has started and it is devoted to ‘Travel and Connectivity’.
This issue is highly topical as the COVID-19 pandemic has redefined global connectivity, upending travel and international trade.
What are the new approaches to mobility on the planet at such a critical moment for the sector? The issue has been addressed at many pavilions in a variety of ways, although technology is a common denominator.
◼️ ANSA
Electric cars doubled in 2021 in Italy. Incentives must be renewed says Motus-E stakeholders group
◼️ EUROPEAN COMMISSION
New transport proposals target greater efficiency and more sustainable travel. To support the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal the Commission adopted on December 21st, 2021, four proposals that will modernise the EU’s transport system. By increasing connectivity and shifting more passengers and freight to rail and inland waterways, by supporting the roll-out of charging points, alternative refuelling infrastructure, and new digital technologies, by placing a stronger focus on sustainable urban
https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news/efficient-and-green-mobility-2021-12-14_en