Italy, China, environment/ The former minister Corrado Clini replies to FT and talk about his behaviour

Corrado Clini*





The article that appeared in the Financial Times (dated August 9, 2015) about the investigations into my work as director-general and Minister of the Environment of Italy, in contrast to what has been largely published in the Italian press, touches upon events and facts that question the grounds of the accusations levelled against me.

I am referring to the “self sabotaging” of former Italian ambassador Bradinini. Bradinini who, despite much evidence to the contrary (such as the PriceWaterhouse report on our “excellent” work in China, official documents issued by Chinese authorities and the many and often cited acknowledgments from international institutions), determined to disparage the environmental cooperation with China for the sole purpose of harming the work and ultimately the success of the Italian Ministry for the Environment in China.

It begs the following questions: what motivation might Bradanini have had to take such action? What circles and powers was he answering to? Why would he commit himself to such a groundless and senseless operation and what have they lost that they might be trying to make me pay for?

The positive effects of our work in Italy and in 45 developing countries (without political padrini) cannot and should not be denied. Nor should that of the 2450 projects for the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, the national and international dissemination of renewable energies and clean technologies, the institutional capacity building in environmental governance with participation and co-financing of at least 200 private companies, 30 universities and research centers, the UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO and the World Bank. It is robust, thorough and progressive work that has earned my team a strong international reputation in our 25 years together. We have been positively acknowledged by the UN, the EU, the G8/G20 and countries such as Brazil and China.

It is no secret that in 2013 my reputation and independent political action upset the ambitions of some old world Italian politicians. These individuals could not bear my progressive approach to environmental protection due to it being so outside the box of the old left orthodoxy and against the greedy green lobbies, seeking profits at the expense of the environment. These people were fretting over my possible new ministerial appointment and even more concerned about rumors of an international role to be appointed which existed outside their internal political power games.

These are the same politicians who backed the controversial career of ambassador Bradanini, who was fired in 2002 by Kofi Annan along with his “boss” Pino Arlacchi from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna.

And these are the very same who are fighting the reform process of Matteo Renzi.





*former italian minister of environment