The invasion of disposable masks, the increase of chemical detergents and disinfectants such as hand gels, a great attention to health for the health emergency.
And the environment?
In the background to the priority dictated by the pandemic.
Yet, despite the cliché that the Fridays for future, Greta Thunberg, the demands to save the planet at sunset, there are good signs that all this is not true.
The European Union has signed the Green Deal - the agreement that provides for the reduction of emissions from 40 to 55% by 2030 - and, as the research data of the ENGIE Green Friday Forum indicate, this difficult historical moment has made even more aware of the role each of us has in tackling climate change.
By summer 2021, the Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen will review all our climate and energy legislation to make it "fit for 55".
The first step is the proposal to amend the European climate law to include the 55% target by 2030 as the first step towards the European continent's goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
Here are 5 positive signs for a better 2021 for the environment:
93% of citizens want to change their lifestyle in a sustainable way (source Euromedia Research
).
68% have already embarked on a path
(+ 12.4% compared to 2019) in this way: 30% choose eco-sustainable products such as those at zero km or those of brands that guarantee respect for the environment;
29% are carrying out interventions at home for greater energy efficiency (fixtures, thermal insulation, boiler replacement and intelligent thermostat);
24% choose sustainable mobility, from bicycles, electric vehicles or public transport;
9% installed photovoltaic panels;
and 7% choose energy produced from renewable sources.
This for individuals, however, in the opinion of the interviewees the greatest power in slowing down global warming is in the hands of institutions and companies.
Citizens see the possibility of a change in favor of sustainability thanks to the intervention of the Government (41%), local institutions (25%) and companies (15%).
The most expected interventions are the energy requalification of schools and public buildings (20.5%), the use of green energy sources for these structures, such as photovoltaic panels (13.5%);
the increase of green areas (16.5%) and electric or hybrid public transport vehicles (15%).
48% of companies are aware that climate change will significantly affect their business and their sector over the next 5 years.
52% of the companies implemented initiatives for greater sustainability during the emergency
.
92% of these companies will also continue post pandemic
with initiatives such as smart working.
Percentage that indicates, among other data, how
economic leverage is a determining factor for citizens and companies in pursuing good habits in favor of the Planet.
In fact, the main lever, despite the greater interest in sustainability on both citizens and companies, remains the economic aspect.
In fact, the majority of companies ask
for non-repayable contributions (33.5%) and tax relief (22%),
followed (19%) by state incentives and a clearer regulatory framework.
Citizens are also more likely to act if they can implement actions at no cost or which provide for savings or an incentive.
For most of the interviewees, in fact, making sustainable choices involves higher costs: for example, even if in reality this is not the case, for more than half of the interviewees (53%) it costs more to choose energy from renewable sources.
A figure, however, slightly down compared to 2019 (56.3%).
An even stronger conviction among young people (60.6%), but less widespread in the south (49%).
One aspect that the pandemic has made evident and on which it has brought a strong acceleration is certainly the adoption of
digital technologies,
which in many cases have suddenly become indispensable to allow relational and business continuity.
74% of Italians are convinced of the key role of technology and digitalization in support of sustainability, as are
69% of companies
(peak of 72% in the services sector).
Digital is considered even more important for monitoring activities with a view to respecting the environment (79%, which reaches 81% in services).