Nuclear, Legambiente: for 75 per cent of Italians it is not a valid alternative, too dangerous and not very convenient

For 75% of those surveyed in an Ipsos poll commissioned by Legambiente, Kyoto Club, Conou, and Editoriale Nuova Ecologia, as of today, nuclear power is not a viable solution and does not represent a valid alternative because it is too dangerous and not cost-effective. Instead, 25% argue that a return to nuclear power is better, given the complex situation. The results of the survey were presented on Wednesday 3 July in Rome during the first day of the 11th National Ecoforum. The Meloni government is betting on nuclear power: in the latest version of the Pniecc it envisaged an electricity mix with a nuclear share 'of around 11% and 22% by 2050'.

For those who do not believe that nuclear power is the right solution, Italy must do more on renewables, circular economy and combating the climate crisis. Clean sources and circular economy, is the reasoning, represent two driving forces for the country, allowing for the creation of new green jobs: more than 1 Italian in 2 believes that they will increase in the future. Two priorities for action emerged first from the survey: for 54% of those interviewed, the government should incentivise the production and use of renewable energies and to develop the circular economy; for 38%, administrations should simplify the authorisation process for renewable energy plants and to develop the circular economy.

With regard to the advancing climate crisis, citizens are increasingly aware of the economic fallout and the impacts on land and people's health. In particular, for 61% of those interviewed, the increase in natural disasters is due to the climate crisis, for 45% climate change has an effect on the cost of living in general, for 44% it leads to an increase in food costs, for 29% to an increase in chronic illnesses, allergies and tolerance. The commitment to counter the climate crisis must see national governments in the front row for 72% of respondents, followed by companies and consortia (42%), local governments (39%), citizens/consumers (35%), media (20%).

Knowledge about the circular economy remains stable. The share of connoisseurs remains stable at 45% (as in 2023). As far as the correct disposal of waste is concerned, 70% of households and individuals are confirmed as the most virtuous with respect to waste disposal, followed by the public sector (62%) and companies (57%). In the ranking of materials considered by citizens as the most hazardous to dispose of, the following are confirmed: used lubricating mineral oil (60%), WEEE (53%), and hard plastics (50%). As for used mineral oil, citizens know that it is collected and can be regenerated, but consumers ask for it to be indicated on the can in order to make informed choices.

According to data from Erion Wee, the consortium for waste associated with electronic products, about 900 tonnes of raw materials such as plastics, glass, cement, copper, aluminium and wood could be recovered from recycling 1,000 tonnes of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). As for the septic sector, according to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), in 2020, it was the third largest source of degradation of water resources and land use. In that year, an average of nine cubic metres of water, 400 square metres of land and 391 kilograms of raw materials were needed to provide clothes and shoes for each EU citizen. 56% of the critical raw materials needed by Europe currently come from China as well as around 90% of the world's production of rare earths, manganese and germanium. Against this backdrop, the Critical Raw Materials Act, enacted in March 2023 by the EU Commission, stipulates that by 2030 the extraction, refining and recycling of these materials must meet at least 10%, 40% and 15% of European needs respectively, with the aim of making industrial supply chains more resilient and less dependent on third countries.