With a view to continuous improvement and further development, and in response to increasingly pressing environmental challenges and evolving information needs, including those relating to future scenarios, it is essential to continue collecting and processing detailed statistical information, underpinned by a high degree of scientific robustness and disseminated in a timely and dynamic manner.
The indicators included in the Environmental Indicators Database provide not only a comprehensive picture of the state of the environment in Italy, a picture that has been systematically documented for over 20 years, initially through the Yearbook of Environmental Data and subsequently through the more concise publication Environment in Italy: An Overview, but also represent a further step forward in the evolution of environmental reporting. Their distinctive value lies in their capacity to support the effectiveness and quality of public policies and action, while addressing both specific regulatory requirements and information needs arising from requests by national and international organisations.
Comprising more than 300 indicators, the Environmental Indicators Database represents a significant milestone in this evolutionary process and constitutes the most comprehensive collection of statistical data and information on the state of the environment in Italy. It is developed and maintained by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), with the contribution of the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies and the Environmental Protection Agencies of the Autonomous Provinces, within the framework of the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA).
The indicators are classified into 40 Environmental Topics and presented in individual fact sheets containing descriptive information (metadata), including policy objectives, assessments of environmental status and trends, as well as statistical data presented through charts, tables and maps.
The indicators can also be accessed and analysed through different classification and reporting frameworks, ranging from the DPSIR model (Driving forces and economic sectors (D, P); Environmental conditions (S, P, I); Protection and prevention (I, R)) to the national, European and international core sets currently used to monitor environmental policies. These frameworks provide different ways of grouping and organising indicators according to specific information and monitoring requirements (Aggregation Catalogue).
To further enhance access to and dissemination of environmental information, ISPRA has developed dashboards featuring key environmental indicators. Through interactive data visualisations, these tools enable users to explore trends over time, assess environmental performance and monitor progress towards the achievement of sustainable development objectives.