Welcome to the second post of “Italy: did you know that…?”, the new section of Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing’s social media channels that allows you to find out many little-known facts about Italy.
Did you know that Italy is considered the European superpower in circular economy? In our country, 79% of wastes are directed towards recycling, a much higher rate comparing to the one of other European countries such as France (55%), Great Britain (49%), Germany (43%) and Spain (37%), and more than double than the EU average (36%).
Italy ranks first in Europe when it comes to reducing the waste generation, as well: our companies produce 43.2 tons of wastes per one-million-euro output, lower than Spain (54.7), Great Britain (63.7), Germany (67.4) and France (77.4). The efficiency of its circular economy allows Italy to save 58 million tons of CO2 per year.
Moreover, for each kilogram of resources used by its economy, Italy generates an output of 3.5 euros (PPA), better than Spain (3.1 euros), France (2.7 euros), Germany (2.3 euros) and the EU average (2.2 euros), contributing to decrease Italian environmental footprint, reduce energy consumption and limit CO2 emissions.
Remarks from the Ambassador of Italy to China, H.E. Mr. Luca Ferrari
Italy attaches great importance to circular economy. In the recent years, we have enormously invested in renewable energies, recycling and in improving the efficiency of waste management. The idea behind circular economy lies at the very core of our political agenda, which we will promote in international events that Italy will chair in 2021-2022, such as the G20 and –with the United Kingdom- the “26th UN Climate Change Conference” (COP26).
We believe that in the field of circular economy there are great opportunities of cooperation with China. We share the priorities of “recycling, reusing and repairing”, so to reduce waste, improve water and soil quality and fight plastic pollution and carbon emissions.
Italian enterprises are at the forefront when it comes to green and blue economy, waste collection systems, but also on the realization of models of smart cities and industries, which are of strategic importance in the ongoing transformation of the Chinese economic structure.
The Embassy and all Italian institutions in China will continue to bolster the dialogue with all relevant Chinese Authorities to strengthen cooperation and business with regards to circular economy.
