Gianfranco Battisti signs the letter for long-term sustainable strategy

Addressed to European leaders, the letter urged them to set a more ambitious target in the fight against CO₂, with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 55% by the end of this decade, exceeding the previously-foreseen 40%.

Amongst the signatories of this challenge were some 150 CEOs and Chairs of the largest international companies (including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Ikea, Assicurazioni Generali and Enel) along with Gianfranco Battisti, CEO and General Manager of the FS Italiane Group.

“In 2019, I committed to taking a leading role in the actions to prevent climate change by reducing FS Italiane’s emissions by 55% in 2030 compared with those of 1990 and to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Despite rail being the most emission-efficient mode of transport, as a large company, we are committed to improving even further.”

The initiative – led by the European Corporate Leaders Group (CLG Europe), an organisation founded to promote a business model compatible with climate protection – is welcomed by the European Commission, which set a 55% emission reduction target by 2030.

Zeroing in on CO₂ emissions is one of the three long-term targets adopted by the FS Group in 2019. Inspired by the principles of sustainability, these aims are intended to provide a perspective that embraces economic, environmental and social dynamics to business strategies.

This path of sustainability must accelerate the time to limit the worst effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable and competitive economic recovery.

This would result in the EU realising the first continent to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, a commitment that is now shared and brought forward by large companies, aware that they can act as a driving force pushing other institutions.