ODA Spending

How much ODA does Italy allocate to climate projects?

In 2023, Italy spent US$245 million on climate and was the 16^th largest OECD DAC donor to climate in absolute terms. Funding to this sector dropped from the country’s highest-ever in 2020, US$598 million.

How is Italian climate ODA changing?

In 2023, 65% of Italy’s climate ODA was spent on projects with a significant climate change component.

How does Italy allocate climate ODA?

Bilateral Spending

Government documents place a strong emphasis on climate resilience in the agriculture sector. Since 2014, Italy has partnered with the FAO to build and promote the GACSA. In 2022, Italy allocated 14% each of its climate-focused ODA to the energy and agriculture sectors.

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

Italy’s climate finance is relatively low. Italy contributes to climate financing through multilaterals, though not all these funds are counted as ODA. This includes contributions to the following multilaterals:

Funding & Policy Outlook

In early 2024, Italy hosted the Africa-Italy Summit, during which 25 African leaders and diplomats joined Italian and EU leaders to launch the pilot programs of the Mattei Plan for Africa: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced EUR5.5 billion (US$6 billion) in credits, grants, and guarantees under the plan. EUR3 billion (US$3.3 billion) will come from the Italian Climate Fund, as announced at COP28.

In 2023, the Italian Parliament adopted a COP28 resolution, signed by 19 Italian MPs from all parties in the majority coalition, committing to the 0.7% ODA/GNI target, with half of ODA dedicated to tackling climate change:

Former Prime Minister Mario Draghi put climate change at the heart of his political agenda: by creating a Ministry of Ecological Transition to ensure that the economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis goes hand in hand with the transition to green energy.

The Italian Parliament and Senate voted to incorporate the protection of the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems in the interest of future generations into ‘Article 9’ of the Italian Constitution on February 22, 2022.

Italy is also a staunch supporter of the GBEP, which supports a wider, more cost-effective use of biomass and biofuels. Italy chaired the partnership in 2019.

Key Bodies