ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ON THE WEB

The monitoring carried out in July 2024 highlighted a heterogeneous situation with respect to the two subgroups of institutions in the sample (Figure 1).
The average score achieved by the websites of research institutions (CNR, CREA, ENEA, INGV, INFN, Istat) and MASE (37 points) is higher than the overall average (31 points) and the average score of the SNPA websites (29 points). The latter value also includes the score for ISPRA’s website, which, although a research institution, is an integral part of the SNPA. The website of INGV registered the highest score (42 points). The website of ARPA Sicilia, with 5 points more than in 2023, showed the best performance. The websites of INFN (+4 points) and APPA Bolzano (+3 points) also performed well. Negative scores were recorded for ARPA Liguria and MASE, which lost 7 and 4 points, respectively (Table 1).

Regarding the richness of the information offered by the websites (Figure 3), expressed by the number of news items, publications, useful links, regulations, and databases, the websites with the most content remain those of ISPRA and ARPAE Emilia-Romagna (20 points). All websites include publications, online forms for requesting environmental services, news, databases, and at least one email address for contacting the institution (Figure 4). As for the news, the data also considers updates, counting only those published within seven days of the monitoring date. Social networks are used by 26 institutions, which is stable compared to 2023. Details on the use of major social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter) show that YouTube and Twitter are the most widely used, present in 90% and 80% of the sample, with a stable trend for Twitter compared to 2023 and a growth of +6 percentage points for YouTube (Figure 5). Since last year, LinkedIn, the social network dedicated to professional relationships, has been included in the monitoring. LinkedIn allows users to create specific profiles by indicating work experience, studies, awards received, and publications. The 2024 monitoring showed an increase in its use by 7 percentage points. All research institutions and MASE use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, while, for SNPA, 87% of its entities have a YouTube channel, 74% have a Twitter profile, 52% have a Facebook profile (+4 percentage points), and 39% have an Instagram profile (+9 percentage points). LinkedIn is used much more by research institutions and MASE (86%) compared to SNPA (48%) (Table 4).

Regarding the degree of use of social media, the number of videos published on YouTube in the last six months and the number of Facebook posts and tweets published in the week prior to the monitoring date were considered. Seven websites achieved the maximum score (10 points): five are research institutions (Istat, INGV, INFN, ENEA, and CREA); two belong to SNPA: ISPRA and ARPA Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Figure 6). The most followed YouTube channels (Table 5) are those of INGV, ISPRA, and INFN. INGV ranks first for popularity with its main YouTube channel and thematic channels (environment, earthquakes, and volcanoes), totaling the highest number of subscribers (28,184). Among the environmental agencies, ARPA Umbria remains the most followed (4,010 subscribers). The Facebook profile with the highest number of likes is that of INGV, with almost 352,000 likes (Table 6). In addition to the main Facebook profile, the institution has active thematic profiles (earthquakes, volcanoes, and environment). Second place goes to MASE (almost 137,000 likes), followed by INFN (over 54,710 likes). INGV’s Facebook pages saw the largest increase in likes over the past year (almost 46,000), followed by ARPA Sardegna and INFN (over 5,200 for both profiles). Among the environmental agencies, ARPA Liguria remains the agency with the most followed Facebook profile.

As for Twitter followers (Table 7), INGV remains in first place with 63,728 followers; this data is obtained by adding up the followers of the institution's four Twitter channels, dedicated respectively to earthquakes, volcanoes, the environment, and communication. Stable in second place is the MASE Twitter channel. Among regional agencies, ARPA Piemonte ranks first in followers (16,459). Despite not being among the observed variables, it is noted that the use of Telegram, a free instant messaging app, is beginning to spread among social media channels. Telegram allows users to chat with their contacts using a nickname, so there is no need to exchange phone numbers. The app also allows the organization of public and private groups and offers various features, including channels and bots. Bots are instant automated chat services that interact with user requests by following specific pre-programmed commands. As of now, ARPA Campania, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Piemonte, Veneto, MASE, Istat, and INGV are using Telegram.

Finally, an analysis concerns the most innovative tool: smartphone applications (Table 8). Compared to 2023, the number of available apps has increased from 40 to 50. Three new apps have been added solely for monitoring air quality. The most common types are those for monitoring weather conditions, bathing water quality, and pollen levels.