In recent days the G20 is celebrated in the capital of Italy by the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Scotland. At the center of attention are various topics, which are intertwined: environment, sustainable economy, fight against epidemics, aid to poor countries, protection of human rights, migration, international relations and security. The leaders of nations are said to have a multilateral vision, a tendency to defend creation and the ability to “walk together”.
Of course, there is a red thread that connects Rome to Glasgow, the G20 with the Cop26. And it is no coincidence that events on the calendar follow each other. Because the two appointments, participants and stated purposes for different mixed, show common characteristics. The first of which is multilateralism, properly defined by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as “the best answer to the problem we see today. In many ways the only possible answer”. An essential element is precisely this: having a global political and economic vision that seeks to address the complexity of problems, their intersectional, providing credible and genuinely viable answers. Whether it is a sustainable economy, response to climate change, taxation and the international financial system, the fight against this and the next pandemics, development of backward countries, migration, the fight against terrorism, building irreversible peace in the regions of suffering on earth, of human rights Respect and gender equality in every corner of the earth.
The final G20 document focused on several of these points. Starting with a commitment to limit global warming (Paris ratifies the agreement, keeping global temperature rise below 2 degrees, continuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees, but without indicating an exact date) Up to a minimum tax, up to $100 billion a year in favor of poor countries. Now the ball goes to the United Nations conference in Scotland which, while focusing specifically on environmental issues, will inevitably have to take into account all these other aspects: acting on different fronts is the basis and guarantee for a truly successful one. is to build step by step over time, involving political, economic and social actors.
In this sense it is necessary to correct the doubts shown by the young Greta Thunberg, according to which a real change on the climate front – if anything – will come not from “top” political decisions, but only from integral functions of ecology (expression Pope Bergoglio) originated “from below” in daily life. A change in the cultural paradigm and “eco-friendly” lifestyle is definitely needed, as the youth of Friday for the Future teach us; But strategic decisions and actions are equally essential, starting with institutional leaders, be it heads of state and government, parliament, regional and local administrators. Those who are elected by citizens (at least in democratic countries) must answer about their commitment to a planet that is habitable today and for generations to come.
At this point it is possible to point out two other features that really great meetings like the G20 and Cop26 must attend in order to reach ambitious agreements, and then the results. In addition to multilateralism (the denial of nationalism and populism that runs through a large part of world politics, including Italy), there is a need for intelligent environmentalism, which is achievable, and – pass the expression “borrowed” from the religious level. – Religious meeting The latter, in fact, requires us to walk together, to listen (to the people, to the earth’s wounds and to the people, to mutual requests…) and to consider at the community level before making decisions.
Some signals have been launched in Rome. Now can the synodal style be expected to apply in Glasgow?