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 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 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.

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 represents the trend of national emissions of persistent organic compounds by sector of origin, from 1990 to 2024. The objective of achieving emission values ​​lower than those of 1990 was achieved both for PAHs (-45%) and for dioxins and furans (-49%), albeit with different trends.

The indicator represents, over the period 1990 - 2024, the trend in greenhouse gas emissions in Italy per inhabitant and compared to GDP. There is a decrease for both, accentuated by the growth of population and GDP, which therefore highlights a decoupling between determinants and pressures.

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 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 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.