7th Environment Action Programme

The indicator represents the trend of national emissions of persistent organic compounds by sector of origin, from 1990 to 2023. The objective of achieving emission values ​​lower than those of 1990 was achieved both for PAHs (-32%) and for dioxins and furans (-44%), albeit with different trends.

The indicator represents the time series of national greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2023, broken down by sector of origin. Data analysis shows that in 2023 there was a significant reduction in emissions compared to 1990 (-26.4%), explained by the economic recession, which curbed consumption in recent years, but also by a greater use of renewable energy sources. This resulted in a reduction in CO₂ emissions from the energy sector (-26.9% compared to 1990).

The indicator represents, over the period 1990-2023, the trend of greenhouse gas emissions in Italy per capita and relative to GDP. A decrease is observed for both, accentuated by the growth of the population and GDP, which highlights a decoupling between drivers and pressures.

The indicator consists of the share of greenhouse gas emissions generated by installations covered under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), established by Directive 2003/87/EC, as well as emissions from all sectors not included in the ETS—namely small- and medium-scale industry, transport, residential and commercial buildings, agriculture, and waste. These non-ETS emissions were regulated under the Effort Sharing Decision (Decision No. 406/2009/EC) up to 2020 and, from 2021 onward, under the Effort Sharing Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/842).In 2020, emissions from the non-ETS sectors were below the national annual target of 37 MtCO₂eq. However, from 2021 onwards, emissions have not aligned with the annual reduction targets set under the Effort Sharing Regulation.

The indicator represents the time series of national emissions of heavy metals from 1990 to 2023, by source sector. Since 1990, a reduction in emissions has been observed for all metals. In particular, emissions of cadmium, mercury and lead are in line with the objectives set at the international level by the Aarhus Protocol, having decreased compared to 1990 values by -62%, -65% and -95%, respectively.

The indicator represents the trend in national emissions of particulate matter (PM10) by sector of origin from 1990 to 2023, highlighting a marked reduction over the years on a total level (-42.9%). The road transport sector, which contributes to total emissions with an emission share of 9.8% in 2023, presents a reduction of 67.8% over the entire period. Emissions from non-industrial combustion, in the same period, grew by approximately 33.7%, representing the most important sector in 2023 with 45.9% of total emissions.

The indicator provides an overview of the current presence of alien animal and plant species in Italy, describing their numbers and trends in introductions over the past century. It reports the average annual introduction rate (the mean number of new alien species introduced each year), the main pathways of introduction (according to CBD categories), and the distribution of invasive alien species of Union concern.

The number of alien species in Italy is steadily and continuously increasing. Based on the data currently available, more than 3,800 alien species have been introduced into the country, of which 3,699 are currently established in the territory. The average number of species introduced per year has grown exponentially over time — from 6 species per year in the 1970s, to 16 per year in the previous decade, and reaching 25 per year in the current one. The cumulative number of alien species introduced in Italy since 1900 also confirms this exponential trend, showing an increase of over 500% in 120 years.

The indicator, based on data processed within the Carta della Natura project, shows the distribution of Ecological Value (VE) across 17 Italian regions, providing a representation categorized into different classes. Ecological Value is understood as a synonym for natural significance and is calculated—starting from the regional habitat maps—for each mapped polygon, excluding those referring to built environments and fully urbanized areas. This indicator offers an overview of the environmental mosaic within various regional contexts, highlighting high-value areas, including their protection status. The analysis presents the percentage of protected areas in each region and the composition of protected and unprotected zones in terms of Ecological Value. The protected areas system (EUAP areas, Natura 2000 sites, and Ramsar areas) covers territories characterized by the highest Ecological Value classes but still leaves significant portions outside protected areas.

This indicator represents the national trend of emissions of tropospheric ozone precursors: nitrogen oxides (NOx) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), disaggregated by source sector. A marked decrease is observed between 1990 and 2023 (-74% for NOx and -57% for NMVOCs), mainly driven by the strong reduction of emissions from the transport sector.

The indicator describes the trend in national emissions of the acidifying substances SOx, NOx, and NH₃, both in total and by sector, highlighting the decreasing trend from 1990 to 2023 (-72.3%). With reference to Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants—which defines national emission reduction commitments compared to 2005, applicable from 2020 to 2029 and from 2030 onwards—sulphur oxides and ammonia achieved the required 2020 reduction target as early as 2009, while nitrogen oxides reached it in 2014.

High noise levels can affect your well-being. The effects of noise on health include stress, reduction of psychological well-being and sleep disturbances, but also cardiovascular problems.

In the field of noise pollution management, with the issuing of Directive 2002/49/EC, the European Union has defined a common approach to avoid, prevent or reduce the harmful effects of the population's exposure to environmental noise. The approach is based on the determination of exposure to environmental noise, on public information and on the implementation of Action Plans at local level. The population exposed to noise is determined through acoustic mapping, developed on the basis of common and shared methods. 

From the acoustic mapping, the population exposed to noise levels higher than the levels recommended by the WHO is high. Road traffic represents the main source of noise.

The indicator quantifies soil consumed as a result of a change from a non-artificial soil cover to an artificial soil cover, according to the principle of net land take, i.e. net of transformations from consumed soil back to non-consumed soil (generally the restoration of construction sites and other areas that in the previous year fell under reversible soil consumption).
Gross soil consumption recorded in 2024 affected 8,370 hectares of territory, causing the often irreversible loss of natural, semi-natural, and agricultural areas and their related ecosystem services.

The indicator considers extraction sites for first-category minerals, as classified by current regulations, excluding fluid energy sources and mineral and/or thermal water springs, present in the national territory from 1870 to the present. It serves a dual purpose: identifying potential mineral deposits still exploitable with sustainable techniques and locating potential sources of pollution associated with past extraction methods.

Of the 3,016 sites that have been operational in the past 150 years, only 94 currently hold valid concessions, and 76 sites were active in 2020. 562 abandoned or decommissioned mining sites present a medium to high ecological and health risk. Several museum sites have been integrated into the National Network of Mining Museums and Parks (REMI), coordinated by ISPRA.

The indicator describes the status of the 42 Contaminated Sites of National Interest (SIN), which together cover 148,594 hectares of land surface (0.49% of the Italian territory) and 77,136 hectares of marine areas. This issue affects all Italian regions, except Molise. As of 30 June 2024, for 65% of the total area of the 36 SINs under consideration, information is available on the progress of the procedures: characterization has been completed for 59% of the soils and 55% of the groundwater, while remediation/safety measures have been approved by ministerial decree for 13% of the soil area and 17% of the groundwater. Procedures have been completed for 17% of the soils and 6% of the groundwater. The information provided by the indicator outlines a representative picture of environmental conditions and societal responses in relation to regulatory and sustainability objectives.

Over the period considered (2007–2023), the status of assessed fish stocks has shown an overall improvement: the proportion of nationally managed stocks subject to overfishing has declined, reaching its lowest level (44.4%) in 2023. Although fishing mortality remains critical in several cases, it has exhibited a downward trend in recent years, progressively approaching levels compatible with the long-term sustainable exploitation of resources under average environmental conditions.

The indicator, based on analytically assessed stocks validated at the international level, reflects the overall dynamics of the exploitation status of commercially fished stocks, highlighting the gradual improvement of exploited marine resources. It is also associated with the percentage coverage of landings for which stock assessment data are available, with analyses conducted at both the national and subregional levels according to the geographic subdivision established by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The indicator quantifies fuel consumption in the transport sector, with the aim of reducing and/or diversifying it. Energy consumption in the transport sector has shown a rising trend since the 1990s, followed by a decline starting in 2007. A recovery in consumption was observed in 2018 and 2019, while the sharp reduction in 2020 is attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed by a rebound in 2021 and a further increase in 2022 and 2023.

The indicator provides information on the main landslide events that caused fatalities, injuries, evacuations, and damage to buildings, cultural heritage assets, primary linear communication infrastructures, and service networks across the national territory over the past year. In 2024, there were 185 major landslide events, resulting in 5 deaths, 18 injuries, and predominantly causing damage to the road network and buildings.

In 2023, the preparation for re-use and recycling rate—calculated using Methodology 4 and excluding construction and demolition (C&D) waste from household sources—stood at 50.8%, thus exceeding the 50% target set for 2020.

The indicator measures the total quantity of Waste from Economic Activities started for the recovery operations (R1-R12) referred to in Annex C of Legislative Decree 152/2006. In 2023 the quantities of recovered special waste are consistent, equal to 74.1% of the total managed (178.9 million tons) and the trend is constantly growing (+1.8% in the last three years). The total amount of special waste recovered amounts to 132.6 million tons, of which 4.1 million tons are dangerous. The region with the greater quantity of Waste from Economic Activities recovered is Lombardy (27.7%of the recovered total), followed by Veneto (10.8%) and Emilia-Romagna (8.5%).

In 2023, the total amount of municipal waste disposed of in landfills amounted to approximately 4.6 million tonnes, with 112 landfill facilities in operation nationwide. Compared to 2022, this represents a 10.8% reduction in the total quantity of municipal waste landfilled (equivalent to -559,000 tonnes) and a 4.3% decrease in the number of operational sites (-5 facilities).

Waste from construction and demolition operations constitute, in absolute terms, the most significant flow of Waste from Economic Activities produced at both a European and national level. The construction sector, through the intense use of natural resources, generates strong impacts on the territory and a progressive impoverishment of the raw material due to the opening of natural aggregate quarries. The European Commission has, therefore, considered it a priority to monitor the flow of waste from construction and demolition activities by setting, in Article 11 of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, a specific objective of preparation for the reuse, recycling and other types of recovery of material, including reclamation operations that use waste to replace other materials. In 2023, the recovery and recycling rate of construction and demolition waste stands at 81%, above the 70% target set for 2020 by Directive 2008/98/EC.

In 2023, the Italian economy experienced a more moderate growth compared to previous years, with the Gross Domestic Product and Final Consumption Expenditure on the national territory increasing by 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively, compared to 2022. Municipal waste generation showed a slight increase (+0.7%) following a 1.8% decline recorded over the previous two-year period (2021–2022).

After the 2.1% drop observed in the previous two-year period 2021-2022, in 2023 the overall production of Waste from Economic Activities generated by the national production system (industrial, commercial, artisanal, services, but also of waste treatment and environmental remediation) returns to increase attesting to almost 164.5 million tons (+1.9% compared to 2022, corresponding to more than 3 million tons).

Non -hazardous waste, which represent 93.8%of the total waste produced, have an increase of 2.8 million tons (+1.9%), the dangerous ones of 193 thousand tons (+1.9%).

With regard to the construction sector, the incentives arranged by the government for the renovation of the properties aimed at the energy redevelopment of buildings have continued. These construction/renovation works together with the activities of construction sites intended for the construction of infrastructure and public works and housing and commercial construction have generated more quantities of building and demolition waste.

National municipal waste (MW) generation in 2023 amounts to approximately 29.3 million tonnes, marking a 0.7% increase (approximately +218,000 tonnes) compared to 2022.

The indicator is calculated for a limited sample of Alpine glaciers and represents the algebraic sum of ice mass gained through snowfall accumulation and mass lost through melting during the ablation period. Glacier mass balance data provide a fundamental measure for assessing the "health status" of glaciers.

Analysis of data from 1995 to 2023 shows that, for the glaciers considered collectively, the cumulative mass balance exhibits significant losses, ranging from nearly 25 meters water equivalent for the Basòdino glacier to over 50 meters water equivalent for the Caresèr glacier, corresponding to an average annual mass loss exceeding one meter water equivalent.

This indicator describes trends in cold extremes across Italy, specifically quantifying the number of frost days, defined as days with daily minimum air temperature less than or equal to 0°C. In 2024, a reduction of approximately 13.7 frost days was observed compared to the 1991–2020 climatological baseline.

The indicator describes the trend in extreme heat events in Italy, specifically representing the number of days with a maximum daily air temperature exceeding 25 °C. In 2024, an increase of approximately 6.9 summer days was observed compared to the climatological average for the 1991–2020 reference period.

The indicator describes the trend of mean temperature in Italy.
The increase in mean temperature recorded in Italy over the last thirty years has often exceeded the global average over land. In 2024, the mean temperature anomaly in Italy, relative to the 1991–2020 climatological baseline, was +1.33 °C—higher than the global land surface anomaly of +1.03 °C. In Italy, 2023 ranked as the warmest year in the entire annual time series starting from 1961. Since 2000, temperature anomalies relative to the 1991–2020 baseline have consistently been positive, except for four years (2004, 2005, 2010, and 2013).

The indicator is based on PM concentration data ₁₀ in the atmosphere measured during 2024 in monitoring stations distributed throughout the national territory, collected and archived in ISPRA in the InfoAria database, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2008/50/EC (and the legislative decree implementing Legislative Decree 155/2010) and Decision 2011/850/EU. The monitoring stations that measured and reported PM data ₁₀ there are 576., of which those with sufficient time coverage for the verification of the reference values ​​are 545. The annual limit value was exceeded in one station (equal to 0.2% of cases), while exceeding the daily limit value was recorded in 94 stations (equal to 17.2% of cases). Finally, both the annual WHO reference value (90.5% of cases) and the daily one (96.1% of cases) are exceeded in the majority of monitoring stations.

The indicator is based on the concentration data of benzo(a)pyrene in the atmosphere, measured during 2024 in monitoring stations distributed throughout the national territory, collected and archived in ISPRA in the InfoAria database, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2008/50/EC (and the legislative decree transposing Legislative Decree 155/2010) and Decision 2011/850/EU. The monitoring stations that measured and communicated B(a)P data are 167, of which 162 have data series with sufficient time coverage to verify the reference values. Exceedances of the target value were recorded in 12 stations, equal to 7.4% of cases.

The indicator is based on nitrogen dioxide (NO) concentration data ₂) in the atmosphere measured during 2024 in monitoring stations distributed across the national territory, collected and archived by ISPRA in databases InfoAria, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2008/50/EC (and the legislative decree transposing Legislative Decree 155/2010) and Decision 2011/850/EU. The monitoring stations that measured and reported NO ₂ there are 625, of which 605 have data series with sufficient time coverage to verify the reference values. The hourly limit value is respected everywhere: in no station has 200 µg/m³, as an hourly average, been exceeded more than 18 times. The WHO reference value, which does not foresee exceeding 200 µg/m³, is exceeded in 5 stations (equal to 0.83% of stations with sufficient temporal coverage). The annual limit value, equal to 40 µg/m³ as an annual average, is exceeded in 10 stations (1.7%). The WHO reference value for long-term effects on human health, equal to 10 µg/m³ as an annual average, is exceeded in 444 stations (73.4%).

The indicator is based on the ozone concentration data in the atmosphere measured during 2024, in monitoring stations distributed across the national territory, collected and archived in ISPRA in the InfoAria database, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2008/50/EC (and the legislative decree transposing Legislative Decree 155/2010) and Decision 2011/850/EU. The monitoring stations that measured and for which O. Data were transmitted ₃  there are 348., of which those with sufficient time coverage for the verification of the threshold values ​​and the long-term objective for the protection of human health are 331. The suburban, rural and rural background stations that respect the minimum percentage required for the calculation of the long-term objective for the protection of vegetation (AOT40v) are 158. The long-term objective for the protection of human health (OLT) was exceeded in almost all the stations: 83.4%. The percentage of stations where the OLT was exceeded for more than 25 days was 43.5%. The information threshold for health protection was exceeded in 17.5% of the stations while the alarm threshold was exceeded in only 1 station. The WHO reference value, equal to 100 µg/m³ as the 99th percentile, is exceeded in 310 stations (equal to 94% of the stations with sufficient temporal coverage). The long-term objective for vegetation protection (AOT40v) was exceeded in almost all stations (92.4%).

The indicator is based on PM concentration data _2,5 in the atmosphere measured during 2024 in monitoring stations distributed across the national territory, collected and archived in ISPRA in the InfoAria database, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2008/50/EC (and the legislative decree transposing Legislative Decree 155/2010 and subsequent amendments) and Decision 2011/850/EU. The monitoring stations that measured and reported PM data _2,5 are 341, of these, 207 have data series with sufficient time coverage for the verification of the reference values ​​are 307. The annual limit value of the PM _2,5 (25 µg/m³) is respected in all cases. However, in the majority of monitoring stations, the WHO annual reference value of 5 µg/m³ is exceeded (97.7% of cases).

Estimates of the average annual exposure weighted for the population were developed ( Population Weighted Exposure , PWE) to nitrogen dioxide (NO ₂) aggregated at municipal level, through the integrated use of statistical measures and models. The data obtained, relating to the period 2016-2024, allow the comparison of PWE between all municipalities and to have a complete picture of the average exposure at a national level. 
In 2024, 77% of the population was exposed to levels above the WHO guideline value (10 µg/m ³). 
The national average of PWE was 11 µg/m³ ( range minimum-maximum: 3 – 36 µg/m ³). 
In the period 2016-2024, a trend towards a reduction in exposure levels equal to 29% on average is observed, mainly linked to the reduction of emissions from vehicular traffic.

Estimates of the average annual exposure weighted for the population were developed ( Population Weighted Exposure , PWE) to PM10 aggregated at municipal level, through the integrated use of statistical measures and models. The data obtained, relating to the period 2016-2024, allow the comparison of PWE between all municipalities and to have a complete picture of the average exposure at a national level. 
In 2024, 95% of the population was exposed to levels above the WHO guideline value (15 µg/m ³). 
In the period observed there is no trend towards reduction in exposure levels with the national average which in 2024 is equal to 20 µg/m ³ ( range minimum-maximum: 6 – 35 µg/m ³). 

Estimates of the average annual exposure weighted for the population were developed ( Population Weighted Exposure , PWE) to the PM _2.5 aggregated at municipal level, through the integrated use of statistical measures and models. The data obtained, relating to the period 2016-2024, allow the comparison of PWE between all municipalities and to have a complete picture of the average exposure at a national level. 
In 2024, 100% of the population was exposed to levels above the WHO guideline value (5 µg/m ³). The national average of PWE was 12 µg/m ³ (minimum-maximum range: 4 – 24 µg/m ³). 
In the period 2016-2024, the national average goes from 15 µg/m ³ of 2016 at 12 µg/m ³ of 2024, recording a reduction of 20%.

This indicator measures the health impact of heatwaves on the elderly population (aged 65 and over) across 27 Italian cities included in the National Heatwave Health Prevention and Warning Plan. The plan is implemented by the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CCM) of the Ministry of Health and coordinated by the Epidemiology Department of the Lazio Regional Health Service (DEP Lazio). The cities are equipped with Heat Health Watch Warning (HHWW) systems to provide forecasts and alerts.

The summer of 2023 (15 May – 15 September) was characterized by temperatures above the seasonal reference average. Despite these elevated temperatures, observed mortality in the elderly population remained generally within expected levels. Monthly impact assessments highlighted increases in mortality rates associated with heatwave episodes during July and August in several monitored urban areas.

This indicator provides critical information for monitoring climate-related health risks and supports adaptation strategies aimed at reducing adverse health effects of heatwaves on vulnerable population groups.

The Allergenic and Annual Pollen Integral indicator considers two integrals: the Annual Pollen Integral (IPAn) and the Allergenic Pollen Integral (IPA) which describe the quantity of pollen present in a year in the atmosphere of the locations where the monitoring stations are positioned. The Annual Whole Pollen and the Allergenic Whole Pollen are locally subject to very significant variations from one year to the next caused by the different trends of seasonal weather and climate characteristics. These are cumulative quantitative indicators which therefore do not give indications on the distribution methods of airborne pollen during the year.

The indicator describes the times of pollination of a specific botanical family during the year. The start and end dates and duration of a family's pollen season change based on location, because pollination is extremely sensitive to weather and climate differences. It should be noted that the duration of the pollen season is not related to the greater or lesser quantity of airborne pollen. The comparative examination of the data of the beginning and end of pollination of the monitored families can highlight the presence of airborne pollen, for some locations, even in the months of January and December.

The indicator refers to carbon stock, i.e., the amount of carbon stored in Italy across the different forest carbon pools, and to the variation in carbon stock (carbon sink), which accounts for both the carbon sequestered and the emissions released due to wildfires, harvesting, and natural mortality within national forest ecosystems.

Carbon stock and carbon sink are effective indicators for assessing the condition of a country’s forest resources, as they are influenced by forest productivity and, negatively, by both natural and anthropogenic disturbances (such as fires, logging, pests and pathogens, natural mortality, etc.).

Carbon stocks in Italian forests are increasing, indicating a net positive balance between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals (carbon sink). This trend is partially driven by conservation and forest protection policies and, on the other hand, by a decrease in harvested timber volumes due to complex economic and social factors.

Emissions from forest fires remain a significant concern. The trend of the national carbon sink over the period 1990–2022 has been heavily affected by a reduction in GHG removals associated with areas burned annually. The impact of biomass loss from large-scale wildfires in 1990, 1993, 2007, and 2017 is particularly evident in the carbon sink trend.

This highlights the critical role of wildfires in shaping the contribution of national forests to the global carbon cycle.

n 2023, organic farming in Italy covered 2,456,020 hectares, involving approximately 94,400 organic operators. Organic agriculture accounted for 7.4% of all farms and 19.8% of the utilised agricultural area (UAA), according to the 2021 ISTAT Census, falling 5.2 percentage points short of the 25% UAA target for organic farming. 

Over the past 33 years, the trend has been upward in both the number of operators and cultivated area, countering the long-standing decline in utilised agricultural area in Italy.

 At the European level, Italy ranks among the most virtuous Member States.

The indicator considers fertilisers used in agriculture, i.e. inputs primarily employed to support crop growth. It analyses their spatial and temporal distribution to provide an overall representation of environmental impact, based on the quantities and types of fertilisers placed on the market.

In 2023, more than 4.5 million tonnes of fertilisers were placed on the market.

Mineral fertilisers (including simple, compound, and those based on meso- and micronutrients) accounted for 40.7% of the total. This category has historically been the most sold, with the only exception in 2022, despite a long-term decline (2000–2023).

Organic fertilisers (including soil improvers and organic fertilisers) followed closely, representing 39.8% of total sales, with a long-term upward trend (2000–2023). The most sold subcategory was soil improvers, with over 1.2 million tonnes. Their sales volume has remained relatively stable in recent years and, for the second consecutive year, exceeded that of simple mineral fertilisers, which remain the dominant subcategory within mineral fertilisers (64.7%).

In 2022, approximately 103 thousand tonnes of plant protection products (PPPs) were placed on the market, containing around 44.5 thousand tonnes of active substances.

Compared to the previous year (2021), sales of PPPs declined by 11.6%. A similar decrease was recorded in the volume of active substances, which fell from approximately 50 million kilograms in 2021 to 45 million in 2022 (-11.5%). Consequently, the quantity of active substances distributed per hectare also decreased: from 4.0 kilograms per hectare of Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) in 2021 to 3.6 kilograms in 2022.

Over the broader period from 2014 to 2022, the PPP market experienced a contraction of -20.8%. Active substances declined by 25.0% relative to 2014, the year the previous National Action Plan (PAN) for the sustainable use of PPPs entered into force—currently undergoing advanced revision. Trends vary by product category: active substances in fungicides declined by -21%, insecticides and acaricides by -32.3%, herbicides by -40.8%, and miscellaneous products by -26.5%. In contrast, biological products showed a notable increase of approximately 59% since 2014; however, they still represent only a minor market share of 1.1% of the total.

Bees, pollen, and other beekeeping matrices provide important information about the state of the environment, particularly in relation to chemical contamination from plant protection products (pesticides). Laboratory analyses can detect active substances from these products on the bees' bodies and in the pollen they collect during their flights in treated areas.

ISPRA has long been involved in research and monitoring activities aimed at identifying the possible factors and causes of honey bee colony mortality, including those related to agricultural practices involving the use of pesticides, especially in natural and agriculturally intensive areas.

The data collected suggest a fluctuating trend around an annual average of several dozen bee mortality cases, often with the detection of active pesticide ingredients on the bees or in other beekeeping matrices.

The EU Ecolabel is the European Union’s voluntary ecological quality label, established under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, as amended. It identifies products and services with a reduced environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle, while also ensuring high performance standards. This indicator shows the number of valid certifications issued by the Italian Competent Body to companies applying for their products and services, which stand out on the Italian market for their attention to environmental protection and consumer well-being. The number of licences and certified products/services increased over the period from 1998 to 2024. As of 2024, there are 538 valid EU Ecolabel licences in Italy, covering a total of 16,327 certified products and services, distributed across 17 active product/service groups.

The indicator refers to company sites with an environmental management system compliant with the UNI-EN-ISO 14001 standard, certified by a body accredited by ACCREDIA, which attests to the body’s competence and independence in accordance with relevant international standards. As of the end of 2024, there are 37,540 Italian company sites holding a valid certification, marking a significant increase compared to 2023 (31,687). Half of the certified companies are located in the northern regions of Italy, with Lombardy leading in the number of certifications, accounting for 7,442 company sites with a management system conforming to UNI-EN-ISO 14001.
In addition to Italian company sites, a substantial share of foreign enterprises—representing 14% of the total—have also certified their environmental management systems.
The economic sectors with the highest adoption rates of certification are “Construction”, “Transport, logistics and communications”, and “Other services”, with 5,075, 3,994 and 3,484 certified company sites, respectively.

As of 31 December 2024, the number of organisations listed in the EMAS register, net of cancellations and suspensions, totals 1,185. This figure confirms a recovery compared to 2018, showing an increase of 22.8%. The total number of new EMAS certificates issued to organisations/businesses is 2,357. The productive sectors with the highest participation are: Waste and Material Recovery, Energy, Building and Landscape Services, Specialised Construction Works, Public Administration, and Wholesale Trade. The leadership of the Central-Northern regions is reflected in regional measures supporting EMAS. The most active regions are Lombardy, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lazio. Regarding EMAS registrations by organisation type, recent years show a generally stable situation with a balanced distribution among small, medium, and large enterprises.

In July 2025 it is highlighted that the offer of environmental information and communication tools on the web by the monitored institutions is stable compared to 2024 both with regard to the overall average of the monitored websites (31 points compared to a maximum value of 46 points), and if we refer to the average of the SNPA websites (29 points), while the average of the sites of the research bodies and MASE goes from 37 points to 36. There are 15 sites that obtained a score higher than the overall average. The institutional site richest in web tools and content is that of Istat (42 points).

Final electricity consumption exhibited a steady upward trend from 1990 to 2008, subsequently declining as a consequence of the economic crisis. In 2020, in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, consumption contracted by 5.7% relative to the previous year, followed by a rebound of 6.2% in 2021, and a subsequent downturn in the following years. By 2023, consumption had decreased by 4.6% compared to 2021, stabilizing at 24 Mtoe. The share of industrial consumption declined from 51.7% in 1990 to 38.3% in 2023, while the combined share of the tertiary and residential sectors increased from 43.2% to 56.3%. The contribution of agriculture and fishery remained nearly constant at approximately 2%, whereas the transport sector, despite fluctuations, accounted for around 3.4%.

The indicator measures both the energy consumed by end users and the total energy consumption of the country. Since 1990, the available energy for final consumption has shown an upward trend, peaking in 2005. Thereafter, a reversal occurred, reaching a minimum in 2014. Between 2014 and 2018, final consumption increased again, followed by a decline in 2019 and a sharp reduction in 2020, due to the lockdown of economic activities aimed at containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Consumption then rebounded in 2021, before decreasing over the following two years. In 2023, the energy available for final consumption, calculated according to the Eurostat methodology, amounted to 110.5 Mtoe, representing a 1.3% decrease compared to 2022.

The analysis of the contribution of different primary energy sources to gross domestic energy consumption shows that the dominant role of petroleum products is decreasing in favor of an increase in natural gas and renewable energy sources, which accounted for 35.4% and 20.5%, respectively, in 2023. Greater diversification and the increasing role of renewable sources have positive effects on Italy’s energy self-sufficiency, which remains among the lowest in industrialized countries.

The indicator illustrates the dependency of the national economy on imports of various energy sources to meet its domestic demand.  The decrease in the share of oil and the concurrent increase in the share of energy from renewable sources have led to a reduction in the nation's energy dependence. A decline in energy dependency has been observed since 2007, falling from a peak of 85.5% in 2006 to a low of 75.1% in 2020. In 2023, the dependency rate was recorded at 76.1%.

The legislation (Legislative Decree 152/2006) mandates achieving good status of water bodies (chemical + ecological) by the deadlines established by the current legislation. The analysis of chemical status shows heterogeneous values among the districts, with 100% of water bodies in good status only for the Central Apennines and 52% for Sardinia. In all other districts, the percentage of water bodies in good status never exceeds 50% and ranges from 3% in the Eastern Alps to 40% in the Northern Apennines.

A comparison between the status in the 2nd Water Management Plan (WMP) cycle and that in the 3rd cycle shows maintenance of good chemical status for 100% of the water bodies in the Central Apennines, an improvement for those in the Northern Apennines (from 30% to 40%), Sardinia (from 12% to 52%), and Sicily (from 11% to 17%), and a worsening for the water bodies in the Eastern Alps District (from 51% to 3%), Po River (from 65% to 23%), and Southern Apennines (from 18% to 11%).

At the national level, the number of water bodies in good status is 56 out of 172 (33%) in the 2nd WMP cycle, while in the 3rd cycle it is 42 out of 146 (29%).

Coastal marine waters are “surface waters located inside an imaginary line, every point of which is one nautical mile seaward from the nearest point of the baseline used to determine the limit of territorial waters, and which may extend up to the outer limit of transitional waters” (Paragraph 1 of Article 74 of Legislative Decree 152/2006). The legislation (Legislative Decree 152/2006) mandates the achievement of a “good” status of water bodies (chemical + ecological) by the dates set by current legislation; failure to achieve environmental objectives results in the implementation of remediation measures. Based on the analysis of data reported by the Districts in the 3rd Reporting to the European Commission for the 2016–2021 six-year period (3rd RBMP), the chemical status of Italian coastal marine waters appears heterogeneous. This heterogeneity is evident both in terms of the number of water bodies identified per district and their classification. The Eastern Alps and Po River Districts have all water bodies in a “not good” chemical status, while in Sicily and the Southern Apennines District, over 60% of the water bodies are in a “not good” status. The Northern Apennines, Central Apennines, and Sardinia Districts, instead, register more than 50%, more than 90%, and more than 80%, respectively, in a “good” chemical status. At the national level, 51% of coastal marine water bodies are in good chemical status. Comparing the 2nd and 3rd RBMPs, in the 2nd RBMP, water bodies with unknown chemical status amounted to 26% (147 out of 561), whereas in the 3rd RBMP, only one water body has an unknown status. Generally, water bodies in good chemical status are comparable between the two RBMPs—52% and 51%, respectively—while water bodies in not good chemical status increased in the 3rd RBMP (49%).

Transitional waters are defined in Legislative Decree 152/2006 as "surface water bodies near a river mouth, partially saline due to their proximity to coastal waters but significantly influenced by freshwater flows." This definition encompasses coastal lagoons and coastal ponds subject to ecological classification. Italian transitional environments are exposed to numerous pressure factors, often leading to degradation of ecological conditions in these fragile ecosystems. The ecological status analysis shows heterogeneous values, both in the number of Water Bodies (WB) and in the distribution across quality classes, with a prevalence of sufficient and poor statuses in all Districts. Comparing the status of the 2nd Water Management Plan (WMP) cycle with that of the 3rd cycle, it is observed that for all hydrographic districts, ecological status remains predominantly sufficient and poor. However, there is an increase in the percentage of water bodies in good status in the Eastern Alps District (from 7% to 11%), Northern Apennines District (from 10% to 20%), Southern Apennines District (from 0% to 6%), and Sardinia District (from 0% to 26%). National analysis of ecological status shows that the number of water bodies in good or high status increased from 9 out of 172 (5%) in the 2nd WMP cycle to 22 out of 146 (15%) in the 3rd cycle.

Coastal marine waters are defined as “surface waters situated inside an imaginary line one nautical mile away, at every point, on the outer side from the nearest point of the baseline used to define the territorial sea limit, and potentially extending to the outer boundary of transitional waters.” The legislation (Legislative Decree 152/2006) mandates achieving "good" status (ecological + chemical) for water bodies by the deadlines set by current regulations; failure to meet environmental goals entails remediation measures. Based on the analysis of data reported by Districts in the 3rd Reporting to the European Commission for the six-year period 2016–2021 (3rd WMP), the ecological status of Italian coastal marine waters is heterogeneous. This heterogeneity is expressed in both the number of water bodies identified per district and their ecological classification. The Eastern Alps, Northern Apennines, Central Apennines, Sicily, and Sardinia Districts show a percentage of water bodies in good and high ecological status greater than or equal to 70%. Specifically, in the Sardinia District, more than 40% of water bodies are in high status. Nationally, more than 60% of water bodies (261 out of 394 total) are in good and high ecological status. Comparing data from the 2nd WMP and the 3rd WMP shows that in the 2nd WMP, 27% of water bodies had unknown ecological status (149 out of 561 total), while in the 3rd WMP, only one water body is in unknown ecological status. In general terms, the proportion of water bodies in good and high ecological status increased from 55% in the 2nd WMP to 66% in the 3rd WMP.

The indicator evaluates the demand for freight transport (also in relation to economic growth) and the evolution over time of modal split. The transport demand is increasingly met by road freight transport, which continues to dominate other transport modes in terms of growth and modal share (approximately 59% in 2024).

The indicator measures passenger transport demand (according to different modes) and compares its trend with that of economic growth and population. Transport demand is increasingly met by individual road transport (passenger cars and motorcycles), which, due to its growth and modal share (approximately 79% in 2024), remains dominant compared to other transport modes.

The indicator allows for the assessment of emissions of the main air pollutants produced by the transport sector. In Italy, harmful emissions from road transport have significantly decreased in recent years, thanks to the introduction of catalytic converters, particulate filters, and other technologies installed in vehicles. From 1990 to 2023, road emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds decreased by 87.6%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 71.3%, and fine particulate emissions by 69.9%. Sulfur oxide emissions, now almost absent in road transport, remain significant in maritime transport. Air pollutant emissions are monitored at the national level to verify compliance with reduction commitments set by the European Union, with the goal of achieving air quality levels that do not cause significant negative impacts or pose serious risks to human health and the environment.

The indicator allows the evaluation of the trend of specific carbon dioxide emissions of the circulating car fleet through the comparison between the values resulting from type-approval procedures and the values deriving from the actual use of vehicles on the road. It is also useful for the monitoring of carbon dioxide emissions of the circulating car fleet in relation to compliance with the voluntary agreements between the European Commission and the automotive industry. Since 2001, the year in which the Civil Motorization began to monitor the specific emissions of the newly registered fleet, these emissions have been decreasing and are in any case significantly lower than the estimates of real on-road emissions, showing a gap between type-approval data and real-world data.

Soil degradation refers to the reduction in the biological productivity of soil resources. This process is often intrinsically linked to biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change. Assessing soil degradation requires considering multiple interdependent factors, each contributing differently to the phenomenon.

In recent years, Italy has participated in the pilot project on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), promoted by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and in the LDN Target Setting Programme, which supports countries in identifying voluntary LDN targets and defining associated measures to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3. This goal is monitored through the "Proportion of degraded land over total land area" (SDG Indicator 15.3.1).

For the assessment of this indicator in Italy, three sub-indicators proposed by UNCCD under the LDN framework have been adopted:

1. Land cover change
2. Soil productivity index
3. Soil organic carbon content

Additionally, further indices and parameters relevant to the Italian context and available at the national level have been considered. The results show that in 2019, the proportion of degraded land in Italy, excluding water bodies, was 17.4%, according to the UNCCD methodology. Furthermore, nearly 56,000 km² (approximately 18.5% of the national territory) experienced increased degradation between 2006 and 2019.

The indicator represents projections of national greenhouse gas emissions up to 2055, considering the scenario based on policies in place as of 31 December 2022 — thus including those under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) — and the scenario with additional policies and measures defined by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).
The scenario was developed starting from the latest consolidated historical data for 2023, as well as the expected evolution of key macroeconomic drivers according to the information provided to the European Commission.
Information available for 2024 and data relating to the first seven months of 2025 were also taken into account.
The projected reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions (including LULUCF) estimated for 2030 compared to 1990 are -42% in the current policies scenario and -53% in the additional policies scenario.

The indicator represents the trend in national emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5) by sector of origin from 1990 to 2023, highlighting a marked reduction over the years at a total level (-41%). The road transport sector, which contributes to total emissions with an emission share of 8.9% in 2023, presents a reduction of 77% over the entire period. Emissions from non-industrial combustion, in the same period, grew by 34%, representing the most important sector in 2023 with 64.4% of total emissions.

In Italy, geothermal energy, renewable and sustainable, is concentrated in 10 concessions in Tuscany with 34 plants that, in 2023, produced 5,692 GWh, covering 31% of the regional demand and 70% of Tuscany's renewable energy sources.

The direct uses of geothermal heat (climate control, spa use, district heating) and geothermal heat pumps, about 20,000, are growing but still underutilized compared to Northern European countries. The environmental impact is limited and mitigated by abatement systems (AMIS) and reinjection of fluids. Italian resources, concentrated in the Tuscan-Lazio area, also show potential for recovery of strategic elements such as lithium, crucial for the energy transition.

The indicator evaluates the pressures on the environment and the efficiency of resources used by the economy to generate wealth, as well as its progress toward achieving a circular economy. In 2022, the ratio of national waste production to gross domestic product (GDP) was slightly above the European average (66 kg/1,000€ vs. 60 kg/1,000€). Overall, the economic system still appears unable to limit waste production in relation to the wealth produced. 

The indicator is useful for monitoring progress toward a circular economy, allowing for the identification of the quantities of materials reintroduced into the economy following waste treatment. Compared to the total amount of waste sent for recovery and disposal operations, more than three-quarters of the treated waste is recycled, placing Italy among the countries with the highest recycling rates.

European regulations set ambitious recycling targets for 2025 and 2030 for packaging waste, which represents one of the main monitored waste flows. The packaging waste recycling rate, calculated as the ratio between the amount of waste recycled and the amount of waste produced, tracks progress toward a circular economy by assessing the reintegration of materials into industrial cycles as secondary raw materials. To ensure uniform measurement conditions for the new targets based on the actual quantity of packaging waste reprocessed to create new products, materials, or substances, stringent calculation methodologies have been defined at the European level. With the application of the new methodologies, the targets set for 2025 have already been reached for all packaging fractions, except for plastics. To increase recycling rates, one of the action lines is the development of new treatment technologies, especially for those types of waste that are currently difficult to recover through mechanical processes.

The Italian fauna is estimated to include over 58,000 species, with the total number reaching approximately 60,000 taxa when considering subspecies. However, this biodiversity is under threat, as indicated by IUCN assessments and population trends. Among the 672 species of Italian vertebrates (576 terrestrial and 96 marine), 6 are extinct in Italy, and 161 are threatened with extinction (accounting for 28% of the assessed species). Different vertebrate groups show varying percentages of risk: 2% for marine bony fish, 19% for reptiles, 21% for cartilaginous fish, 23% for mammals, 36% for amphibians, and up to 48% for freshwater bony fish (considering the CR+EN+VU IUCN categories). Additionally, terrestrial and marine vertebrate populations are generally declining by 27% and 22%, respectively.

Breeding birds are the only group for which two IUCN assessments have been conducted, seven years apart. Of the 278 species assessed in the latest 2019 evaluation, 5 are extinct, and 67 are threatened (compared to 76 in 2013), representing 26% of the evaluated species. Half of Italy's breeding bird species are not at immediate risk of extinction.

Among invertebrates, 9% of corals, 11% of dragonflies, 21% of saproxylic beetles, 6% of butterflies, and 11% of assessed bees are threatened with extinction. Invertebrates also show negative trends; for example, 16% of dragonfly populations are in decline, five times higher than those increasing.

The indicator measures the abundance and diversity of bird populations in Italy throughout the year, based on bird ringing data. This assessment helps define Italy’s role in the spatial-temporal distribution of European avifauna. Data from 2019-2020 confirm Italy’s crucial importance as a major migration corridor between Europe and Africa and contribute to identifying critical periods for bird species, which is essential for conservation and management purposes.

The indicator describes land use (agricultural, urban, industrial or commercial, infrastructure, recreational, natural and semi-natural, water bodies, etc.), reporting the territorial surfaces associated with different classes according to the CORINE Land Cover classification system. Between 2012 and 2018, there was a continued general increase in artificial urban areas, primarily at the expense of agricultural land. In Italy, as in the rest of Europe, cultivated areas show a contraction, linked not only to urbanization processes but also to agricultural land abandonment.

Both the number of protected areas and the extent of protected marine surface have steadily increased over time. At present, 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established in Italy, across 10 Italian regions, along with a further 10 areas protecting coastal marine stretches.
Sicily and Sardinia host the largest share of marine protected areas, both in terms of number and area of protected surface. Between 2012 and 2023, at the national level, the surface of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) increased by 3.1%, following the establishment in 2018 of the two MPAs of Capo Testa–Punta Falcone in Sardinia and Capo Milazzo in Sicily, and in 2023 of the Capo Spartivento MPA in Sardinia.

In Italy, a total of 843 terrestrial protected areas (including those with a coastal component) have been established to date, covering more than 3 million hectares, equivalent to about 10.5% of the country’s land surface. An analysis of the historical series (1922–2024) shows consistently positive trends—particularly from the mid-1970s—in both the number and the extent of terrestrial protected areas, while growth trends have tended to stabilize since 2008–2009.

Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Plans are the primary tools available to regional authorities to address the impacts of climate change and implement actions aimed at reducing territorial vulnerabilities. In Italy, the number of adopted regional strategies and plans remains very limited. Despite the absence of a binding regulatory framework and a national programmatic reference context, there are ongoing initiatives, projects, and climate vulnerability studies that are expected to lead toward the formal adoption of first Adaptation Strategies and subsequently Climate Change Adaptation Plans. The challenge posed by climate change urgently requires the definition and implementation of concrete actions to enhance territorial resilience.

The indicator estimates soil loss due to water erosion, expressed in tonnes per hectare per year.
According to European estimates, Italy loses on average 8.77 tonnes/hectare/year, significantly higher than the European average.

Estimates of the average annual exposure weighted for the population were developed ( Population Weighted Exposure , PWE) to ozone (O ₃) aggregated at municipal level, through the integrated use of statistical measures and models. The data obtained, relating to the period 2016-2024, allow the comparison of PWE between all municipalities and to have a complete picture of the average exposure at a national level. 
In 2024, 100% of the population was exposed to levels above the WHO guideline value (60 µg/m ³ as the average of the distribution of the daily maximums of the 8-hour moving averages in the period from April to September). 
The national average of PWE was 96 µg/m ³ ( range minimum-maximum: 50 – 119 µg/m ³). 
In the period observed, there was no trend towards a reduction in exposure levels.