Gilberto Pichetto Fratin has been Minister for the Environment and Energy Security since 22 October 2022. Born in Veglio (Biella), Gilberto graduated in Economics and Business from the University of Turin. A chartered accountant and professor of Accounting, he has always worked as a business consultant in the corporate, tax, business and professional sectors. He held public offices in municipal and regional administrations before and after being elected to the Senate with the Popolo della Libertà and Forza Italia during the 16th legislature (2008-2013) and the 17th legislature. He was secretary of the Fifth Standing Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, from 2010 Group Leader of the Popolo delle Libertà and a member of the 11th Standing Committee on Labour, Social Security and the Parliamentary Investigative Committee into the phenomenon of accidents in the workplace.  In the previous legislature, he served as Group Leader in the Senate Budget Committee and with the birth of the Draghi government, he was appointed Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Economic Development.