Green transition and sustainability, an 800 million game for Taranto

The game of transition and sustainability is worth 800 million for the Taranto area, which is the endowment made available by the Just Transition Fund (JTF) for the reconversion of an economic model that still revolves heavily around the former Ilva. The response of companies to the JTF is considered good by the Apulia Region, which between this year and next will launch most of the calls (a first part has already been launched) in support of the endowment, the expenditure of which must then be accounted for in 2029. "Taranto can and must become a hub on the issues of sustainability - both economic and social - and circularity," said Salvatore Toma, president of Confindustria Taranto, at a meeting held yesterday on 'Competitive and sustainable transition: a new paradigm for companies' promoted together with the Ambrosetti study. "Sustainability is an important theme," Toma added, "and we must continue to stimulate SMEs in innovation and the right transition. Sustainability that also touches the large company. We must give important and strong signals'.

"We have involved Abi of Apulia to testify that those who decide to build a path of sustainability in companies gain a competitive advantage, which also means being able to access financial resources easily, and at a lower cost," notes Lella Miccolis, vice president of Confindustria Taranto.

'Transition must be supported by the financial system because it pays off,' says Lara Ponti, vice president of Confindustria with responsibility for transition. Europe and increasingly the banks are moving in this direction and it is necessary for companies to understand that investing in sustainability also means better access to credit. As Confindustria we are working on the importance of territories building contexts to facilitate transition. The data tell us that the territories that have invested in all the elements that make up sustainability, are the most competitive territories: in the education chain, in energy, physical and digital infrastructure, and, last but not least, in an institutional system of clear and certain rules and administrative quality. In Taranto,' says Ponti, 'Ilva, the relationship between sustainability and competitiveness is a crucial junction. With respect to it, there is also a responsibility that all institutional, political and business players must assume'. For Vincenzo De Marino, president of the Abi Puglia committee, 'the link between the sustainability of the company and its riskiness is direct. The more a company invests in sustainability, the lower its riskiness and, consequently, its creditworthiness tends to be better with easier access to credit. If we look at Crif's sustainability observatory, a 2025 document referring to 2023 and 2024, Puglia still has a lot to do as an absolute value. In comparison with other Italian regions, it is a little further back in the ranking. On the other hand, if we look at 2024 compared to 2023, we see an improvement and in the South it is among the most virtuous regions. There is still a long way to go in Puglia,' says De Marino, 'but in 2024 compared to 2023 there has been an acceleration. Puglia and Calabria are the two best regions. Telecommunications, food, tourism and clothing are improving in terms of sustainability'