Most Italian people recognize the
need for major change to tackle the climate crisis and are in
favour of higher taxes on the income and wealth of the rich to
help pay for the ecological transition, according to a major new
international study.
The Ipsos survey of 18 G20 countries commissioned by the
Earth4All initiative and the Global Commons Alliance found that,
in Italy, 62% of people believe the world needs large-scale
climate action this decade.
Furthermore, 61% of Italians support a tax on wealth and 64%
support higher income taxes for wealthy people.
There is also strong support for policies that redistribute
revenues raised from pollution taxes, for example on greenhouse
gas emissions, with 71% in favour.
The survey also said 63% of the Italians polled support an
economic system that prioritises the wellbeing of people and
nature over profit and increasing wealth.
"A large majority of Italians believe a giant leap is needed
this decade to address the climate emergency," said Earth4All
co-lead Owen Gaffney.
"Despite recent political shifts, there remains strong support
for sweeping reforms for planetary stewardship.
"Italians show strong support for fair tax reforms… underscoring
citizen commitment to a just transition.
"There's a clear mandate for accountable governance and policies
that ensure a fair and sustainable transformation".
The findings may seem surprising given the recent successes at
the ballot box of Italy's ruling coalition led by Premier
Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party,
including in this month's European elections.
Meloni's government is highly critical of many of the policies
of the European Green Deal, arguing a more pragmatic approach is
needed in addressing the environmental crisis.
"The big puzzle is why support for climate action and addressing
wealth inequality does not translate into political momentum"
Gaffney told ANSA.
"The survey can't answer this definitively, but it gives us some
pointers.
"Generally, a significant number of people have a low opinion of
government and many don't really trust that the government is
working for ordinary people.
"They might experience this as wage stagnation for many years
and job insecurity. They may worry that an energy transition
will make them worse off"
Indeed, the survey said that Just one in four Italians trust the
government to make decisions that benefit the majority of
people.
This drops to just 21% when it comes to long-term decisions that
benefit future generations.
"Many people want political reform and while people definitely
support democracy as a good way to govern, a surprising number
are not put off by more authoritarian or populist styles of
government," Gaffney continued.
"I think far-right parties have been successful at tapping into
this frustration. But what I hope the survey shows is that an
ambitious agenda for a fair transformation of society - a new
social contract - is a vote winner.
"Climate policies can't be just seen in isolation. This is
systems change".
The results for Italy were in line with those of other G20
countries.
The Ipsos survey said 68% of citizens across 17 G20 countries
back a wealth tax on the rich as a means of funding major
changes to our economy and lifestyle, with only 11% opposed,
while 70% support higher rates of income tax on wealthy people,
and 69% favour higher tax rates on large businesses.
Earth4All, a collective of leading economic thinkers, scientists
and advocates, has released the findings ahead of July's G20
summit in Brazil
For the first time, a wealth tax is on the agenda as these
nations deliberate on strategies to address economic and
environmental challenges.
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