(supersedes previous).
The UN is showing vision
rather than division on climate change, Premier Matteo Renzi
told the General Assembly Friday on the occasion of the signing
of the COP 21 Paris agreement to combat the threat posed by
climate change.
"For the first time in many years this very prestigious
hall, often full of divisions, is finally a place of visions and
not divisions, it finally gives a message of responsibility for
our children, our grandchildren and finally a message of
opening," Renzi told the UN.
He said it was a "great day because finally the
international community is giving a message for the future".
On Thursday Renzi said it was aiming to take the share of
its energy generated by renewable sources from 39% to over 50%.
Italy's new push in renewable energy will regard wind and
water power more than solar energy, an area where the country is
already a leader, Renzi said after a failed referendum on
offshore drilling.
On Friday Renzi told the UN General Assembly that "we are
very proud as Italians for the results we have obtained and the
ones we will obtain".
He said climate change and the environment will be key
parts of Italy's future domestic and foreign policies.
"(The environment) is a priority for our government
initiative at a national level but it will also be a priority
for the G7 presidency we will assume next year and for our
commitment in Europe," he said.
"We will continue to work together in the next few months
to implement the Paris accord.
Renzi said "it is a great pleasure to be with you here and
we can discuss individual points, on renewable energy, the
transport system, and the energy efficiency of homes. But the
real challenge is to shut one's eyes a second and imagine our
children and grandchildren. The important thing is the political
message: politics is capable of giving hope to future
generations".
He then tweeted "Italy will be a protagonist of this
historic accord, for our children and grandchildren."
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