ISPRA presented on 28 October in Rome at the Chamber of Deputies three fundamental tools for understanding the state of the environment: the European Report "Europe's Environment 2025" of the European Environment Agency, the ISPRA Report "State of the Environment in Italy 2025: Indicators and Analysis" and the Environment Report of the National System for the Protection of the Environment.
Europe confirms itself as a world leader in climate commitment: it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuels, while doubling the share of renewable energy since 2005. Significant steps on air quality, the circular economy and resource efficiency. Further progress achieved on a number of factors enabling the transition to sustainability – such as innovation, green jobs and sustainable finance – is cause for optimism.
The situation of biodiversity in Europe is more complex; in crisis in all ecosystems: terrestrial, freshwater and marine due to the persistent pressures exerted by unsustainable production and consumption models. Europe is also under stress on climate change: it is the fastest warming continent on the entire planet.
How does Italy fit into this general framework? We are leaders in the circular economy: with a circular use rate of materials we will reach 20.8% in 2023, almost double the EU average (11.8%), placing Italy in second place in the EU. We reduce greenhouse gas emissions (-26.4% between 1990 and 2023) and organic agriculture grows. Energy consumption from renewable sources is increasing, exceeding the 2020 target and aiming for 38.7% by 2030.
Biodiversity, land use and climate are still open challenges. Italian biodiversity, one of the richest in Europe, continues to be under pressure: only 8% of natural habitats are in a favorable state of conservation, while 28% of vertebrate species and 24% of vascular plants assessed are at risk of extinction. Land consumption remains a critical issue: in 2024, 7,850 hectares were lost, equivalent to 21.5 hectares per day. The climate aspect is of concern: 2024 was the warmest year of the entire series since 1961. The observed Alpine glaciers are losing mass at a rapid rate and the rise in sea level, although only a few millimeters per year, is continuous and therefore requires attention. Economic losses per capita due to extreme events have increased fivefold in seven years, and since 2017 Italy has been stably positioned at levels higher than the European average.
On the environmental quality front, Italy shows contrasting results: on the one hand an increase in surface water bodies in good chemical status, which reach 78% of rivers, on the other, despite air pollution showing a general improvement, approaching compliance with the legal limit values, further interventions are needed to fully reach the WHO reference values.
- Video of the conference
- Press release
- Environment in Europe Report 2025
- State of the Environment in Italy 2025
- SNPA Environment Report. 2025 edition
- Database of ISPRA environmental indicators
- Plan
- Photo gallery
Presentations