A country covered by almost 40% of forests, more than Germany and Switzerland, and which has seen protected areas of land and sea grow up to 20% of the national territory. Greenhouse gas emissions, which have fallen by 19% in the last 30 years, are reduced, as are the main sources of air pollution. However, ozone, the situation of large urban centers and the Po Valley are of concern. The increase in temperatures since 1985 has given no respite, and heat islands in cities are worsening.
The energy transition is progressing: in 15 years, energy needs have decreased by 18% compared to the peak in 2005 and consumption from renewable sources has more than doubled (19%), but if the industry is ahead, there is still a lot to do for transport and residential uses. Progress is also being made for the circular economy: the economy uses fewer and fewer natural resources, separate waste collection continues to increase and landfill disposal is increasingly reduced. Transition to year zero for land consumption: 60 square kilometers still lost every year or 15 hectares per day.
ISPRA presented the Open Ecological Transition report on 13 December which helps to read and interpret the changes that have occurred in recent years in the most diverse aspects of the Italian environment and to prefigure future changes.
It is a clear synthesis of the many dynamics that contribute to the Italian ecological transition, which immediately brings to society's attention the most important aspects of each problem or phenomenon, highlighting the critical issues but also the results already achieved or achievable.
The document is divided into three parts: The Italian environment at a glance , Natural systems , Human systems , for a total of 12 chapters and 66 entries.