The indicator assesses the trend of greenhouse gas emissions from energy-related processes across different sectors, with the aim of reducing the climate impact of energy use. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy processes decreased by 27.5% over the period 1990–2023, with sector-specific variations.

Emissions from the residential and commercial sector declined by 12.6% compared to 1990, while emissions from the transport sector increased by 5.8%. Over the same period, emissions from the energy industry fell by 47.3%, and those from the manufacturing industry decreased by 45.2%.

In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from energy processes amounted to 308.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, representing a reduction of 8.4% compared to the previous year.

The indicator concerns nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions into the atmosphere, which contribute to acidification and eutrophication processes. These emissions originate primarily from combustion processes (such as energy production plants, residential heating, and transport). They can be reduced through technological improvements and/or by treating the gaseous effluents of the processes.

In 2023, energy-related processes accounted for 89.8% of total nitrogen oxide emissions. Since 1990, NOₓ emissions from energy processes have shown a marked decline (–75.4% in 2023 compared to 1990), mainly due to the adoption of emission abatement technologies in both stationary and, above all, mobile sources.

In 2023, total NOₓ emissions were 57.2% lower than in 2005, in line with compliance with international protocols on acidification.

The indicator refers to atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases that affect climate balance. In 2023, energy-related processes were responsible for 95.5% of carbon dioxide emissions, 12.9% of methane emissions, and 22.4% of nitrous oxide emissions, while they did not contribute to emissions of fluorinated gases. Overall, 80.3% of total greenhouse gas emissions originated from energy-related activities.

During the period 1995–2023, the trend in greenhouse gas emissions from energy processes closely mirrored that of energy consumption up to 2004. Thereafter, a decoupling emerged, becoming more pronounced in recent years due to a decline in GDP, the substitution of higher-carbon fuels with natural gas, and an increase in the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation and industrial applications.
In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from energy-related processes decreased by 8.4% compared to 2022.

The indicator concerns atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), a primary precursor of acidification processes. Sulfur dioxide emissions originate predominantly from energy-related activities. In 2023, such activities accounted for 92.1% of total SO₂ emissions. These emissions primarily result from the combustion of fossil fuels (including power generation plants, residential heating systems, and transport). Mitigation of SO₂ emissions can be achieved through improvements in fuel quality and/or via flue gas treatment technologies. The reduction in SO₂ emissions from energy-related processes (−96.1% in 2023 compared to 1990 and −98.1% compared to 1980), attributable to the use of low-sulfur fuels and the deployment of emission abatement systems, has thus far ensured compliance with international protocols addressing acidification. Overall SO₂ emissions in 2023 were 82.5% lower than those recorded in 2005.

The indicator illustrates the national economy’s dependence on imports of various energy sources to meet its energy requirements. A reduction in the share of oil and an increase in the share of renewable energy sources contribute to a decrease in national energy dependency. Since 2007, a downward trend has been observed, with energy dependency falling from a peak of 85.5% in 2006 to a low of 75.1% in 2020. In 2021, the dependency rate rose to 76.9%, and continued to increase in 2022, reaching 78.7%.

The indicator measures the energy consumed by end users and the total energy consumed by the country. Since 1990, there has been a general upward trend in the energy available for final consumption, reaching a peak in 2005. This was followed by a reversal, with consumption declining to a minimum in 2014. From then until 2018, a recovery in final consumption was observed, followed by a decrease in 2019 and a sharp drop 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 declining again in 2022. In 2022, the energy available for final consumption—calculated according to the methodology adopted by Eurostat—amounted to 112.0 Mtoe, a 6.9% decrease compared to 2021.

The analysis of the contribution of different primary energy sources to gross inland energy consumption shows that the dominant role of petroleum products is declining, while natural gas (37.9% of the total in 2022) and renewable sources (19.0% of the total in 2022) are increasing. Greater diversification and the growing role of renewables have a positive impact on Italy’s energy self-sufficiency level, which remains among the lowest in industrialized countries.

The ratio of final energy consumption to total energy consumption measures the overall efficiency of converting energy from primary sources. The difference between these two values corresponds to losses in conversion processes (such as electricity generation and oil refining), internal consumption of power plants, and distribution losses. From 1990 to 2022, the average ratio in our country (70.6%) has been higher than the European average (62.6%). In recent years, a significant increase in the ratio has been observed.

In 2020, the share of energy from renewable sources in Italy reached 20.4% of gross final energy consumption, exceeding the national target of 17% set for 2020. In 2021, the share decreased to 18.9%, and in 2022 it slightly rose to 19.1%, recording an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Comparison within the European Union highlights that Italy's primary and final energy intensity remains below the European average. This is largely due to historical lack of domestic primary energy sources, —which has fostered energy-saving behaviours, efficient infrastructure, and a relatively low energy-intensive production structure—as well as a high level of energy taxation (which has raised end-user energy prices above those in other countries), lower per capita income, and a relatively mild climate. Based on a ranking of countries by increasing primary energy intensity, Italy ranks 7th among European nations.

White Certificates, also known as “Energy Efficiency Titles” (EET) were introduced by Ministerial Decree of 24 April 2001 to promote the implementation of energy efficiency measures in end-use sectors to meet national energy savings targets for obligated parties. TEE are tradable securities that certify energy savings achieved in energy end-use through the implementation of specific interventions to increase energy efficiency. Each certificate represents a saving equivalent to one tonne of oil equivalent (toe). The White Certificates (WC) mechanism has been gradually modified over the years, in line with legislative developments. In the 2006-2023 period, additional primary energy savings equal to approximately 29.3 Mtoe were certified and 58.5 million energy efficiency certificates were recognised.

The indicator is based on the ratio between atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions and final energy consumption by sector. The average value of emission intensities shows a difference between sectors related to the varying adoption of renewable sources. Overall, the emission intensity for final uses has decreased by 25.1% from 1990 to 2022.

The indicator measures the primary energy, expressed in MJ, required to produce one kWh of electricity, or more precisely, it reflects the efficiency of converting primary energy from fossil fuel sources into electricity for final consumption. Available data highlight a reduction in specific energy consumption related to electricity production of 18.4% for gross production and 20% for net production between 1996 and 2022. The long-term trend of the indicator therefore shows an improvement in the electricity generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power plants.

In 2022, the contribution of cogeneration plants to total electricity production amounted to 37.1%, while the share of cogeneration in gross thermoelectric generation reached 53.1%.