EEA – Set of Indicators

The indicator represents the historical series of national greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2024, by sector of origin. The analysis of the data shows, in 2024, a significant reduction in emissions compared to 1990 (-30.2%), explained by the economic recession which has slowed down consumption in recent years but also by a greater use of renewable energy, with a consequent reduction in CO emissions ₂  of the energy sector (-30.2% compared to 1990).

The indicator consists of the emission quotas generated by plants subject to the quota trading system (EU emissions trading, EU ETS), established with Directive 2003/87/EC, and the emissions of all sectors not covered by the ETS system, i. e. Small-medium industry, transport, civil, agriculture and waste, according to Decision 406/2009/EC (Effort Sharing Decision, ESD) until 2020 and according to the Effort Regulation Sharing (ESR 2018/842) from 2021. Emissions from non-ETS sectors in 2020 were below the required target of 37 MtCO2eq. In 2021 and 2022 ESR emissions are in line with what is required by the annual target, while from 2023 they are above the target, by 0.6 MtCO ₂ eq in 2023 and 9.6 MtCO ₂ eq in 2024.

The indicator represents the historical series of national emissions of heavy metals from 1990 to 2024, by sector of origin. Since 1990 there has been a reduction in emissions for all metals. In particular, cadmium, mercury and lead emissions are in line with the objectives set at an international level by the Aarhus Protocol, having reduced compared to 1990 values ​​by -64%, -65% and -96% respectively.

The indicator represents the trend of national emissions of particulate matter (PM10) by sector of origin from 1990 to 2024, highlighting a marked reduction over the years on a total level (-48.3%). The road transport sector, which contributes to total emissions with an emission share of 10.7% in 2024, presents a reduction of 67.7% over the entire period. Emissions from non-industrial combustion, in the same period, grew by 5.2%, representing the most important sector in 2024 with 39.6% of total emissions.

The Natura 2000 Network, established under the Habitats and Birds Directives (known as the Nature Directives), consists of 2,649 sites in Italy, covering a total area, net of overlaps, of 5,844,888 hectares on land, equal to 19.4% of the national territory, and a marine area of 2,344,963 hectares, equal to 6.5% of the waters under national jurisdiction (territorial waters and EPZ) (2025 data, transmitted to the Commission in January 2026). The Network is fundamental for the implementation of the Nature Directives, but it is also important in relation to the targets of the European and National Biodiversity Strategies for 2030 (EBS2030 and NBS2030), which call for expanding protected zones to at least 30% of the land surface and 30% of marine waters; in addition to the N2000 Network sites, all areas subject to protection, including National and Regional Parks and all other protected areas, contribute to this target. In the Italian regions and autonomous provinces, the Network has a heterogeneous extension, with percentages of protected regional territories and waters ranging from 12% (Emilia-Romagna) to 36% (Abruzzo) on land and from less than 1% (Marche) to 31% (Puglia) at sea. 

The wildfire phenomenon, analyzed on the basis of data collected from 1970 to 2024 by CUFA of the Carabinieri Corps (formerly the State Forestry Corps), shows a fluctuating trend, with peak years (1993, 2007, 2017, 2021) alternating with periods of decline (2013, 2014, 2018, 2024).
Wildfires occurring within Protected Areas (recorded since 2003), although showing annual fluctuations, remain at high levels, with an average of 11,000 hectares burned over the last three years.
The incidence of deliberately caused fires is very high, representing about half of all recorded events and exceeding 60% in some years.

Land fragmentation is the process that leads to a progressive reduction in the surface area of natural and semi-natural environments and to an increase in their isolation. This process, which transforms large territorial patches into smaller and more isolated units, is mainly driven by urban expansion—implemented through more or less sustainable development patterns—and by the growth of infrastructure networks aimed at improving connectivity between urbanized areas through linear works. In 2024, 42.41% of the national territory was classified as having high or very high fragmentation. The regions with the largest share of very highly fragmented land are Veneto (39.73%), Lombardy (33.73%), Emilia-Romagna (25.22%), Puglia (25.22%), and Campania (25.76%). These figures confirm the close relationship between fragmentation and urbanization density.

The indicator represents the national trend in the emission values ​​of tropospheric ozone precursors: nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds, distinguished by sector of origin. The marked decrease from 1990 to 2024 is highlighted (-75% for NOx, and -57% for NMVOC), determined by the strong decrease in emissions deriving from transport.

The indicator describes the trend of national emissions of acidifying substances SOx, NOx and NH ₃, both at a total and sectoral level, highlighting the decreasing trend from 1990 to 2024 (-73%). With reference to Directive 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council, concerning the reduction of national emissions of certain air pollutants, which defines the national emissions reduction commitments compared to 2005, applicable from 2020 to 2029 and starting from 2030, sulfur oxides have reached the reduction percentage set for 2020 as early as 2009; ammonia since 2008, while nitrogen oxides reach it in 2016.

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 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 shows the amount of Waste from Economic Activities disposed of in landfills by category and by type of waste and the number of landfills. In 2023, the quantities of Waste from Economic Activities overall disposed of in landfills amount to 7.9 million tons, equal to 4.4% of the total quantity of Waste from Economic Activities managed at national level (about 179 million tons). Compared to 2022, there is a decrease of about 997 thousand tons (-11.2%), while, compared to 2021, there is a reduction of 2.3 million tons (-22.4%). The total number of operating landfills is equal to 249: 105 landfills for inert waste (42.2% of the total operating systems), 133 landfills for non -hazardous waste (53.4% ​​of the total), and 11 landfills for hazardous waste (4.4% of the total). Analyzing the three-year period 2021 - 2023, there is a progressive decrease in the total number of operational landfills ranging from 270 of 2021, to 261 in 2022 and 249 in 2023.

In 2024, the total amount of municipal waste disposed of in landfills amounted to over 4.4 million tonnes, and the number of operational landfills is equal to 102 plants. There was a reduction, compared to 2023, in the total quantity of urban waste disposed of in landfill equal to 3.7% (-170 thousand tons), and in the number of operational sites equal to 8.9% (-10 facilities). 

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.

In 2024, national municipal waste (MW) generation stood at just over 29.9 million tonnes, increasing by 2.3%, corresponding to 664 thousand tonnes, compared with 2023.

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%.

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 describes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (CH₄, N₂O and CO₂) released into the atmosphere by the agricultural sector, mainly resulting from livestock management and fertilizer use. It also assesses the sector's contribution to total national greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards emission reduction targets.

Since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture have shown an overall downward trend. However, further emission reduction measures will be required to achieve the targets established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement and relevant European legislation. In particular, under the Effort Sharing Regulation (EU) 2023/857, Italy is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the sectors covered by the Regulation—including agriculture, buildings, transport, waste and industrial installations not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)—by 43.7% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels.

In 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture accounted for 10.8% of total emissions from the sectors covered by the Effort Sharing Regulation, while emissions from the agricultural sector were 15.2% lower than in 2005.

The indicator measures the energy consumed by end users and the total energy consumed by the country. Since 1990, there has been an increasing trend in energy available for final consumption, with a peak reached in 2005 of 139 Mtoe. Subsequently, a reversal of the trend was noted, reaching a minimum reached in 2014 (114 Mtoe). Until 2018, a recovery in final consumption was observed, followed by a decline in 2019 and a sudden reduction in 2020 due to the lockdown of economic activities to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, followed by a recovery in consumption in 2021, and then a decline in the following two years. In 2024, the energy available for final consumption, accounted for according to the methodology adopted by Eurostat, is equal to 109.3 Mtoe, +0.4% compared to 2023.

In Italy, the share of energy from renewable sources reached 20.4% of gross final consumption in 2020, exceeding the national target of 17%. In 2023, this share declined to 19.6%, remaining well below the 2030 target of 38.7%.

The "chlorophyll" parameter is the only direct indicator of phytoplankton biomass available and has taken on the role of a metric for classifying ecological status according to the Biological Quality Element (BQE) – Phytoplankton in coastal waters (Ministerial Decree 260/2010). Chlorophyll is particularly sensitive to changes in trophic levels determined by nutrient (N and P) inputs from catchment basins flowing into the coastal area.
In 2020, high status was recorded in 71.4% of cases, good status in 12.3%, and sufficient status in 16.2%. A general improvement in status was observed in Campania and Marche, while Emilia-Romagna and Sardinia saw a worsening. Marche, Liguria, and Abruzzo maintained all stations at high status.

Progress towards achieving the good environmental status of marine waters depends on a series of key factors regulated in Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD) and implemented in Italy through Legislative Decree 190/2010 (and subsequent amendments). One of the main factors is linked to contamination in waters and organisms and to the progressive elimination of pollution, ensuring that the presence of contaminants does not generate significant impacts or risks for the marine environment. Descriptor 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC specifically requires the assessment of the presence of chemical contaminants (D8-C1) and their effects (D8-C2). This is accompanied by Descriptor 9 which provides for the evaluation of the level of contaminants in the edible tissues of fishery products compared to the limits established by Regulation (EU) 2023/915. In 2024, monitoring of the Marine Reporting Unit (MRU) West Mediterranean Sea (MWE). The data collected comes from the specific monitoring carried out by ISPRA and from the institutional monitoring of the experimental zooprophylactic institutes. The definitive evaluation, in relation to the judgement Good Environmental Status (GES), will be processed as soon as all the data produced by the regional agencies are available. With the data available to date, bioaccumulation has a problem linked to exceeding the regulated value of mercury, however from a health point of view a positive opinion is confirmed. This result is in line with what has already been highlighted in past years. For the sediment matrix there is a criticality linked to the presence of TBT and some metals.

The ecological status of surface waters reflects the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Directive 2000/60/EC (transposed in Italy with Legislative Decree 152/2006) mandates the achievement of "good" quality status for water bodies, which is determined by the assessment of both ecological and chemical status. The indicator provides an evaluation of the ecological status of surface water bodies—specifically inland waters—based on classification data from the WISE 2022 Reporting related to the 3rd Water Management Plan. At the national level, comparing the ecological quality status data between the 2nd and 3rd Management Plans shows a reduction in water bodies with unknown status, from 18% to 10%, though they are still present. In general, the ecological status has not significantly changed from the previous management cycle, except for the percentage of lakes in good status, which has increased from 17% to 35%.

The tide is a periodic phenomenon of rising and falling of the sea surface due to the gravitational attraction exerted by the Moon, the Sun and other celestial bodies on the masses of water present on Earth and secondarily also due to meteorological disturbances. Data from the National Mareographic Network (ISPRA) were used to characterize the amplitude of the astronomical component of the tide signal along the Italian coasts. As is well known, the astronomical tide presents profound differences in the different Italian seas, reaching its maximum excursion in the Northern Adriatic and in the Venice Lagoon, being also strongly influenced by the configuration of the basin.

The maps of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at 12 months provide a national and large-scale assessment of hydrological drought conditions, obtained using rainfall data collected and published by the regional hydro-meteorological services and those of the autonomous provinces and those of the abolished National Hydrographic and Mareographic Service (SIMN, now merged into ISPRA) of the Department for National Technical Services. The 12-month aggregation time step chosen for the SPI evaluation is the one that best describes the effects of drought (precipitation deficit) on river flow, reservoir recharge and the availability of water in aquifers. 

In 2025, the 12-month SPI maps (SPI12) continued to highlight drought conditions for the Central-Southern territories and the major islands, even if these conditions, on an annual scale, were less severe than in previous years and very localized. In terms of SPI12, the months of January, September and October 2025 were those most characterized by drought conditions, from extreme to moderate, although the percentage of Italian territory affected by such conditions was just over 10%. Northern Italy was, however, characterized by situations of mostly severe (1.5 ≤ SPI < 2.0) and locally extreme humidity (SPI12 ≥ 2.0).

Central, Southern Italy and the major islands, due to the rainfall deficits and high temperatures also recorded in 2025, as well as the drought conditions already reported starting from the second half of 2023 and then in 2024, continued to have problems related to the use of water resources (water stress) with environmental and socio-economic impacts.

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 the emissions of the main air pollutants produced by the transport sector to be assessed. In Italy, harmful emissions produced by road transport have decreased significantly in recent years, thanks to the introduction of catalytic converters, fine particulate filters and other technologies installed in vehicles. From 1990 to 2024, emissions from total transport of non-methane volatile organic compounds will be reduced by 87.4%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 71.6% and fine particulate matter emissions by 69.6%. Sulfur oxide emissions, now almost absent in road transport, are still significant in sea transport. Polluting emissions into the atmosphere are monitored at a national level for the purpose of verifying compliance with the reduction commitments imposed at European level, with the aim of achieving air quality levels that do not entail significant negative impacts and significant risks for human health and the environment. 

The EPRTR (European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) is the integrated register established by the EU based on Regulation (EC) No. 166/2006, aimed at making publicly available information on environmental impacts caused by industrial facilities falling under the criteria set out in the regulation.

This indicator represents total emissions into surface waters and pollutant transfers in wastewater from industrial facilities that reported such data to the national PRTR register. For the year 2020, 60 substances were reported as present in emissions into surface water bodies, while 49 substances were declared in pollutant transfers via wastewater conveyed through pipelines to external treatment facilities.

The PRTR activity groups that contribute the highest percentages of reported pollutant emissions into both wastewater and surface waters are generally those related to "Waste and Wastewater Management" and "Chemical Industry".

The EPRTR (European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) is the integrated register developed by the EU under Regulation (EC) No 166/2006, with the aim of making publicly available information on environmental impacts from industrial facilities that meet the criteria established in the legislation. This indicator represents the total air emissions from industrial facilities that have reported such emissions to the national PRTR register. The air emissions declared for 2020 refer to 34 substances (non-zero values). Comparing 2020 data with 2007, it is observed that for 25 substances, total national atmospheric emissions have decreased (for 23 of these, reductions exceed 40%), while for 8 substances, overall emissions have increased (including: hydrogen cyanide +356% from 2007, hydrofluorocarbons +19%, and ammonia +109%).

The indicator allows for the assessment of surface and groundwater contamination by pesticide residues released into the environment. Monitoring pesticide presence in water is complex due to the number of substances involved and their diffuse use. Measured levels are compared with the concentration limits established by current regulations. The presented indicators provide an analysis of the evolution of contamination over the 2012–2021 decade, in terms of the frequency of pesticide detection in water, as well as the environmental risks arising from their use. Data from 2021 confirm a state of contamination already reported in previous years, with exceedances of legal limits particularly in surface waters (28.3% of monitoring points); in groundwater, 6.8% of points exceed regulatory limits.

In 2024, the seventh edition of the Catalogue of Environmentally Harmful and Environmentally Beneficial Subsidies identified a total of 191 subsidy measures (compared with 183 in 2022). These included EUR 25.4 billion in Environmentally Harmful Subsidies (EHS), a record EUR 71.8 billion in Environmentally Beneficial Subsidies (EBS), and EUR 26.3 billion in Uncertain Environmental Impact  Subsidies (UEIS). Among environmentally harmful subsidies, those supporting fossil fuels amounted to EUR 19.6 billion in 2024.

The indicator represents the projections of national greenhouse gas emissions up to 2055, considering the scenario based on current policies as of 12/31/2022, therefore including those of the PNRR and the scenario with the additional policies and measures defined by the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). The scenario was calculated starting from the latest consolidated historical data relating to 2024, as well as from the expected evolution of the main macroeconomic drivers according to the indications provided to the European Commission. The information available for 2025, as well as the data relating to the first months of 2026, were also taken into consideration. The expected reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions (including LULUCF) estimated for 2030, compared to 1990, in the scenario with current policies and in the scenario with additional policies are equal to -44% and -55% respectively.

Italy has structurally reduced its material footprint, going from 17.9 to 10.3 tonnes per capita between 2008 and 2024, reaching values lower than the EU average. This result reflects significant progress in terms of efficiency and circularity, but it requires consolidating the decoupling between economic growth and resource consumption in order to make the competitive advantage durable.

The Circular Material Use Rate (CMUR) measures  the share of material resources reused by an economy. In the period 2004-2024 the rate of circular use of Italian materials goes from 5.8% to 21.6%

Statistical information on environmental taxes can be broken down by tax category, the units paying the tax, the class of environmental activity, and the destination of the revenue. In Italy, environmental taxes amounted to €60.8 billion in 2024 (+11.6% compared to the previous year). In 2023, revenue from environmental taxes accounted for about 6.1% of total tax and social contribution revenue and about 3% of Gross Domestic Product in 2024.

In 2022, total expenditure by the Italian economy on environmental protection amounted to €51.4 billion, corresponding to 2.6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This latter value remained broadly stable over the period 2016–2022, indicating continuity in investments devoted to environmental protection. Resources are mainly allocated to waste management and wastewater management, which represent the two most significant expenditure items (46% and 25%, respectively).

Alongside these, with a smaller but still significant share, are expenditures for the protection and remediation of soil, groundwater and surface waters, the protection of biodiversity and landscapes, air and climate protection, as well as noise and vibration abatement activities (excluding workplaces). The picture is completed by expenditure on environmental research and development and other supporting activities, which contribute to the diffusion of innovative and sustainable solutions.

During the period considered (2007–2023), the average exploitation rate of fish stocks — expressed as the mean ratio between current fishing mortality and that corresponding to the Maximum Sustainable Yield (Fcurr/FMSY) — remained generally above the sustainability threshold.

The indicator, derived from analytical stock assessments validated at the international level, describes the overall trend in fishing pressure exerted on commercially exploited stocks.

Within the time series, 2023 stands out as the only year in which the Fcurr/FMSY value fell below the threshold of 1 (0.99), confirming the progressive downward trend observed in recent years for this indicator.

The indicator represents the trend of national emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5) by sector of origin from 1990 to 2024, highlighting a marked reduction over the years on a total level (-48.5%). The road transport sector, which contributes to total emissions with an emission share of 9.9% in 2024, presents a reduction of 77.5% over the entire period. Emissions from non-industrial combustion, in the same period, grew by 5.1%, representing the most important sector in 2024 with 57.3% of total emissions.

The indicator illustrates the trends and conservation status of the over 340 Italian species protected by the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and is based on the results of the last three Italian reports pursuant to art. 17, coordinated by ISPRA on behalf of MASE and transmitted to the European Commission in 2013, 2019 and 2025. The data from the latest report (referring to the period 2019-2024 and delivered in 2025) are presented in detail, in which the 346 species of community interest present in our territory and in our seas were evaluated (226 animal species and 120 plant species), creating 344 distribution maps and 580 reporting sheets (one for each species in each biogeographical region of presence). 

The results show that in 2025, 29% of species are in poor conservation status (SC) and 20% are in bad conservation status, meaning they are in worrying conditions and at risk of extinction. Terrestrial and freshwater fauna is the group with the highest percentage of species in bad SC (22%), followed by terrestrial flora (16%) and marine species (11%). 

Comparing the results of the V Report with the previous ones (III Report-2013, IV Report-2019) no improvements in the SC emerge for most species, even if there was an increase in knowledge for marine species. The percentages of change in the SC of the species between IV and V Report show 74% of the assessments in which the SC of the species remains unchanged, 10% in which the SC improves, 11% of assessments in which the SC worsens and a remaining 5% in which the assessments in the two reports are not comparable. 

The data presented confirm the urgency of implementing the actions envisaged by the EU Regulation 2024/1991 for the Restoration of Nature and by the European and National Strategies for Biodiversity to 2030, whose targets provide that at least 30% of species and habitats in unfavorable SC improve their status by 2030 or show at least an improvement trend. 

The indicator provides the percentage of groundwater monitoring stations divided into quality classes according to the average concentration of nitrates detected over a four-year monitoring period 2020-2023.

The classes typically represent conditions ranging from a low concentration of nitrates (good quality water) to high levels of contamination (at risk or polluted water). At a national level, 69.1% of monitoring stations have average nitrate concentration values ​​lower than 25 mg/l (good quality water); while 11.7% of the monitored stations recorded an average nitrate concentration greater than or equal to 50 mg/l (polluted water). Comparing the values ​​of the four-year period 2020-2023 with the previous one (2016-2019), a decrease in the average concentration is highlighted in 38.8% of the stations, an increase in 26.9% and stability in 34.4%.

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.

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 the conservation status of the 132 habitats protected by the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, one of the main pillars of community policy for nature conservation.  The indicator is based on the results of the Italian reports (III Report-2013, IV Report-2019, V Report 2025) drawn up pursuant to art. 17 of the Directive, coordinated by ISPRA on behalf of MASE and officially transmitted to the European Commission.

Specifically, the sheet presents the results of the fifth report in which distribution maps were produced for 124 terrestrial and inland water habitats and 8 marine habitats. Furthermore, 262 reporting forms have been updated, each referring to a habitat in the respective biogeographical regions of presence. In 2025, 42% of habitats are in poor conservation status (SC) (U1), while 48% are in bad conservation status (U2), meaning they are in worrying conditions. Comparing the results of the V Report with the previous ones (III-2013, IV-2019) no improvements in the SC emerge for most of the habitats, even if there was an overall increase in knowledge. The percentages of change in the habitat SC between the 4th and 5th reports show 71% of the assessments in which the habitat SC remains unchanged, 7% in which the SC improves, 19% of assessments in which the SC worsens and a remaining 3% in which the assessments in the two reports are not comparable.  The data presented confirm the urgency of implementing the actions envisaged by the EU Regulation 2024/1991 for the Restoration of Nature and by the European and National Strategies for Biodiversity, whose targets envisage that at least 30% of species and habitats in unfavorable SC improve their status by 2030 or show at least a trend of improvement. 

Eutrophication is a process caused by the enrichment of nutrients, in particular nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which determines an increase in primary production and algal biomass with consequent alteration of benthic communities and, in general, a decrease in water quality. The release of nitrogen and phosphorus into the marine and coastal environment can derive from diffuse sources (river loads, main collectors of agricultural activities and civil discharges) and from point sources (discharges deriving from wastewater treatment plants, industrial and deriving from aquaculture activities). 
The assessment of eutrophication of marine waters according to the Marine Strategy is carried out every six years using a combination of information on nutrient levels (concentrations in the marine environment), the primary effects of nutrient enrichment (chlorophyll 'a' concentration as an indicator of algal biomass) and the secondary effects of nutrient enrichment (impacts on organisms caused by hypoxia and/or anoxia phenomena in bottom waters) that are ecologically relevant.

The most recent assessment transmitted by Italy to the European Commission (October 2024) refers to the six-year period 2016-2021 and highlighted the achievement of Good Environmental Status. The analysis of 2022 monitoring data confirms this indication.

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.

This indicator provides a national overview of the conservation status of 268 breeding bird species assessed in the reporting under Article 12 of the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. The assessment includes species of community interest listed in Annexes I and II of the Directive, as well as those that justify the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

At the national level, the percentage of species with a favourable conservation status increased from 51% (reporting period 2007-2012) to 56% (reporting period 2013-2018). However, this increase was insufficient to meet the target set by the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 (76%).

The short-term population trends, which reflect processes occurring in the last decade, indicate that 46% of species are increasing or stable, while nearly 25% of species are in decline (the population trend of the other 33% remains unknown). Regarding short-term trends in distribution range, the proportion of declining species is lower, as only the most severe declines result in range contractions: 21% of species show a contraction, while the remaining 79% have stable or expanding ranges.

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.

The indicator provides the percentage of surface water monitoring stations divided into quality classes according to the average concentration of nitrates detected and in the four-year period 2020-2023, in order to provide an overview of the level of nitrate pollution. The classes typically represent conditions ranging from a low concentration of nitrates (good quality water) to high levels of contamination (at risk or polluted water). At a national level, 95.3% of monitoring stations have average nitrate concentration values ​​lower than 25 mg/l (good quality water); while 0.6% of the monitored stations recorded an average nitrate concentration greater than or equal to 50 mg/l (polluted water). Comparing the values ​​of the four-year period 2020-2023 with the previous one (2016-2019) shows a decrease in the average concentration in 22.4% of the stations, an increase in 20.6% and stability in 57% of the stations.

Farmland birds represent effective indicators of environmental quality due to their sensitivity to habitat changes and the feasibility of monitoring their populations using standardized methodologies on a large scale. Owing to these characteristics, the Farmland Bird Index is adopted by the European Commission as a context indicator of the Common Agricultural Policy to assess the state of biodiversity in agroecosystems and the effectiveness of conservation and rural land management measures.

The national indicator, calculated on the basis of the trend of 28 species typical of farmland environments over the 2000-2025 period, highlights an overall decline of 33.49%, with 71% of the considered species in decrease. The indicator relating to species typical of mountain grasslands (FBIpm), calculated on the trend of 13 species, also shows a reduction of 29.90%, with 46% of the species in decline. The results reveal a persistent deterioration of biodiversity associated with Italian farmland environments and the need to strengthen the conservation measures provided for by national and European biodiversity strategies.