WWF Italia Expresses Concern Over Meloni’s UN Address

Rome: The Italian section of the environmental association WWF expressed concern Thursday over Premier Giorgia Meloni’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. In her address, Meloni criticized climate crisis policies, arguing that ‘Green plans’ in Europe and the West could lead to deindustrialization before achieving decarbonization, failing to consider the means and needs of the less affluent.

According to Ansa News Agency, Meloni stated that unsustainable environmentalism has nearly destroyed the automotive sector in Europe, caused issues in the United States, led to job losses, hindered competitiveness, and depleted know-how. She argued that such policies have paradoxically not improved the planet’s overall health, emphasizing that while she is not a climate denier, environmental respect should not come at the expense of human centrality.

WWF Italia responded by accusing the premier of denying reality. They argued that Meloni portrayed environmental policies and ecological transition as sources of social and economic instability, disputing their environmental benefits and accusing them of depleting know-how. WWF Italia countered this claim, stating that innovation today is driven by the transition, and Italy’s reluctance to embrace bold choices and collaborative efforts toward this goal is damaging the economy and impoverishing large population segments.

The organization highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, stating that the premier’s perspective risks undermining necessary responses. They cited a University of Mannheim study estimating Italy’s economic losses at 11.9 billion euros in the summer of 2025 due to extreme climate events. Additionally, the statement referenced a study indicating 62,775 heat-related deaths in Europe during the summer of 2024, with Italy experiencing the highest number of fatalities, exceeding 19,000.