- Money will go to greening marine economy and boosting resource efficiency among others
- Since 2014, Italy contributed over €10.5 million to the Environment Fund
Rome, 6 February 2017 – Italy's Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti and Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment, today signed a new agreement to intensify collaboration on pressing environmental issues, such as clean energy and environmental education.
On the occasion, the Italian government also made a significant, €5 million contribution to the Environment Fund.
The money will help UN Environment implement crucial projects to design a sustainable financial system, boost resource efficiency and reinforce the sustainable management of natural resources and the marine economy.
“This generous contribution is yet another signal of Italy's unwavering commitment to a clean, safe and healthy planet. We look forward to working with the Italian government to build the green future we all deserve,” said Mr Solheim.
Today’s donation brings Italy's total contributions to the Fund to over €10.5 million, or $11.2 million since 2014.
The country’s environmental priorities also include the transition to a green economy, clean energy and environmental education.
On January 1, Italy took over the Presidency of the G7 group of countries, offering a major opportunity to ensure the environment remains high on the multilateral political agenda. Italy will host the G7 Environment Ministers summit in June in Bologna. UN Environment is actively supporting the Italian Presidency in the preparations for this important meeting.
Italy is also expected to play an active role at the third UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, in December, where the world's environment ministers will tackle the pressing challenge of pollution worldwide.
Background
The UN Environment Fund depends on voluntary national contributions and is the main source of money for UN Environment to follow its programme of work in tackling transboundary challenges on topics ranging from climate change to the sustainable management of chemicals and flagging new environmental threats.
Italy is also a major donor to other project work for the environment through sources such as the Global Environment Facility.
For more information contact:
Isabelle Valentiny, Head of Communications, UN Environment Europe Office, isabelle.valentiny@unep.org +41 79 251 82 36
