The minister for Labour, Cooperation and Professional Training for the region of Puglia, Michele Losappio, the vice-chancellor of the University of Bari, Corrado Petrocelli, and the Gas Natural Foundation}s International Projects Co-ordinator, Manuel Beguer, presented the book "Forests and the carbon cycle in Italy: how to mitigate climate change" in the "Salon degli Affreschi" of the University of Bari's Palazzo Ateneo.

The presentation ceremony was also attended by the coordinator of the University's Environmental Policy and Quality of Life Committee, Angelo Tursi, and lecturers Paola Mairota and Giovanni Sanesi of its Department of Plant Production Sciences. A further 150 people attended from institutions, companies and universities.

This publication is the result of a study carried out by experts supervised by the University of Bari's Department of Plant Production Sciences with the aim of advancing knowledge about the forests and their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂), one of the main causes of climate change.

The book has been published thanks to a first framework agreement signed by the Foundation and the Region of Puglia under which the two bodies made a commitment to work together on ways to improve the environment, and a later agreement between the Gas Natural Foundation and the University of Bari to carry out research projects into issues of economic development and environmental protection.

The Gas Natural Foundation

This project represents a continuation of the Gas Natural Foundation's work of education and raising awareness about the production and consumption of energy and caring for the environment in the communities and countries where GAS NATURAL carries out its business activities. It complements the activities being carried out by the company in the Friulia region.

In addition to Italy, the Gas Natural Foundation carries out its international activities in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Morocco and Algeria.