The European Union is billing its €750 billion (about ¥98.5 trillion) pandemic Recovery Fund as the opportunity of the century to transform the region's economy and help it lead the world in reducing carbon emissions.
But a closer look by environmentalists at the spending plans prepared by Italy — the biggest recipient of EU cash — raises questions about how green Rome's contribution will be, how it will be measured and even what investments can be classed as "green."
They have criticized the plan presented to parliament this week as falling well short of the revolution that was promised.