News

What priorities for European research in the environmental field?

National workshop of the CASRI stakeholders

On 29 October at the Botanical Garden of Rome, the main Italian research stakeholders met to discuss strategies and tools necessary for European research in the environmental field. The event was organized by ISPRA as part of the European project CASRI (Collaborative Action coordinating and enhancing systemic, actionable and transversal Sustainability Research and Innovation) of the Horizon Europe call program WIDERA, whose aim is to promote collaboration, innovation and support for European research for the formulation of a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda capable of addressing common gaps for the environmental and sustainability transition.
During this meeting, the preliminary results of bilateral interviews carried out by ISPRA with key stakeholders on four topics of interest were presented: resilient zero-impact circular production systems, biodiversity and climate, sustainable urbanisation, nature, environment and energy transition.

Meetings on the E.I.A. - Episode n.5

The topics will be training and environmental research on EIA, collaboration with universities, differentiated training targets, quality of environmental impact studies, ISPRA Summer School. With the voices of Minister Pichetto Fratin, ISPRA President Laporta and ISPRA General Director Siclari, the training activities of the School of Specialization in Environmental Disciplines in which the EIA theme is inserted are presented. together with the ISPRA manager of the school Daniela Antonietti. The students of the Summer School on EIA also speak: in June 2024, in fact, future environmental technicians were welcomed in Palermo. 65 university students and PhDs from all over Italy and supported by teachers from ISPRA, the National VIA Commission, ARPA, UniPA and UniSapienza in on-the-job training. A lot of enthusiasm and desire to learn among these young people and great interaction between them and some of the protagonists of the VIA, thanks to the educational program accompanied by workshops and inspections.

The role of the OECD in monitoring the green economy and the contribution of Italian institutions

OECD countries, which represent more than 60% of global nominal GDP, lead the ecological and energy transition and their volume of data on the development of the green economy is enormous.

This special session on the functioning of the OECD's data collection and analysis policies of the most advanced economies will feature top-level speakers to highlight the contribution to the development of the green economy made by the international organization together with its umbrella organizations, such as the International Energy Agency and the International Transport Forum, with the support of Italian institutions, highlighting the specific role played by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Permanent Representation of Italy to International Organizations of Paris.
The debate will focus on the economic aspects of the ecological and energy transition.

COP 29

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November.

The Baku COP 29 Presidency Plan is based on two parallel, mutually reinforcing pillars:

• the first, "enhancing ambition", combines key elements to ensure that all Parties are committed to ambitious national plans and transparency;
• the second, "enabling action", reflects the fundamental role of finance, a key tool for transforming ambition into action and reducing emissions, adapting to climate change and addressing loss and damage.

Project PROMETHEUS: ISPRA on board!

On 25 and 26 October, the kick off meeting of the Life natura PROMETHEUS project took place in Thessaloniki (Greece). Through a multilateral approach (use of systems to reduce accidental catches in professional fishing, deep involvement of the various stakeholders, valorisation of ecotourism, transition towards alien species as targets for fisheries with food value, etc.), the project proposes multiple objectives aimed at improving the conservation status of some emblematic species of Mediterranean cartilaginous fish. ISPRA, together with other national and international partners, is part of a large consortium, rich in experience and scientific excellence in the field of European research on cartilaginous fish, coordinated by Professor Emanuela Fanelli of the Polytechnic University of Marche.

Italian PNRR projects: delegation of European Commission officials visiting ISPRA

Today ISPRA hosted a delegation of European Commission officials who follow the Italian PNRR projects, with the aim of exchanging information and knowledge on the Institute's activities involved in the implementation of the PNRR/MASE Investments. In particular, after a quick description of the ISPRA and SNPA activities, the PNRR MER, URBES and DigitAP projects were presented more closely and in detail. Great interest and desire for interaction on the part of the delegation, which appreciated the importance of the availability of data especially in situations of environmental emergency, of those relating to greenhouse gas emissions, closely linked to the phenomenon of climate change and the commitment and role of ISPRA in terms of sustainable finance.

First extraordinary data from the mapping of coastal habitats as part of the PNRR MER project

The first preliminary data of the PNRR MER "A16 – A18" project for the mapping of Italian coastal habitats have been acquired, available through the WebGIS Virgeo cartographic platform. The project is part of Mission 2 of the PNRR, dedicated to the "Green Revolution and ecological transition", and in particular in Investment 3.5, which aims to restore and protect the seabed and marine habitats.

The main objective is the detailed mapping of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa meadows, marine habitats fundamental for biodiversity. The project uses advanced technologies such as very high resolution satellite images, topographic and bathymetric LiDAR sensors, as well as autonomous vehicles (AUVs), to create a high resolution database useful for the management and protection of marine-coastal ecosystems.

Currently, the preliminary data visible on Virgeo concerns the Liguria region, where a complete dataset of satellite images was acquired from the Maxar constellation, with multispectral resolutions of 1.85 meters for the WorldView-2 satellite and 1.24 meters for the WorldView- 3. These images were processed using advanced algorithms to determine the reflectivity and map the Posidonia oceanica meadows. Furthermore, thanks to the innovative Satellite Derived Bathymetry technique, the bathymetry of the Ligurian coast was obtained

Memorandum Confindustria Cisambiente - ISPRA

Illustration and definition of the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between Confindustria Cisambiente and the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, aimed at guaranteeing cooperation, through shared initiatives, on issues relating to specific points of convergence. The first step will be the development of a joint study to analyze the costs, both in technical and economic terms, of separate waste collection activities in Italy.

Restoration of the deltaic and marine habitat, combating the proliferation of the blue crab, encouraging its use and consumption

The invasion of the blue crab in the Po Delta has upset the entire venericulture sector in the Upper Adriatic. The predator Callinectes sapidus has upset entire communities of women and men who lived directly or indirectly on clams and who, overnight, found themselves disarmed and unprepared to face an arduous, complicated and difficult challenge. Despite the honorable commitment of all institutions, trade associations, consortia, cooperatives and businesses, today there is a collective awareness that it is necessary to react promptly with dedication, commitment and sacrifices in order to pursue precise operational strategies, well aware of the need to coexist with this crustacean.

The PNRR and circular economy

The National Recovery and Resilience Program has dedicated 2.1 billion euros to improve the efficient and sustainable management of waste and to develop innovative technologies to encourage the circular economy on a national scale, with the aim of filling the gaps structural which, especially in the centre-south, constitute the real obstacle to the development of integrated management. The PNRR is first of all a plan based on objectives and in this sense the approved reforms (National Strategy for the Circular Economy and National Waste Management Programme) are fundamental programmatic tools for public and private operators. The country was able to respond with a high number of projects presented by both the public and private sectors. 2024 is a key year in the implementation of PNRR investments and reforms. The day will be an opportunity to analyze the progress made and any critical issues that have emerged through the comparison between institutions and operators.

ISPRA participates in the CNR's PER24 oceanographic campaign

In the second half of October ISPRA will participate in the PER24 oceanographic campaign with the Gaia Blu research vessel in the southern Adriatic Sea.
The campaign, aimed at carrying out scientific activities to evaluate the changes induced by human activity on marine ecosystems, is part of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). PER24 is multidisciplinary and involves various CNR institutes, the University of Marche and other scientific institutes. Its aim is to collect data that can improve the understanding of Good Environmental Status (GES) indicators in biotic and abiotic matrices, and of the processes that modify these GES, following the MSFD guidelines. This profound knowledge will help policy-makers, stakeholders and other operators in the public and private sector to develop intervention methods for improving the environmental state of marine ecosystems.

FAO-ISPRA international workshop for the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning applied to Aquaculture

From 29 to 31 October 2024, the international workshop "Spatial management for aquaculture planning: Defining needs for assisting countries", jointly organized by FAO and ISPRA, will be held in Rome, at the FAO.

The event will bring together some of the main international experts from various countries around the world, ISPRA researchers (BIO-AMC Area) and FAO specialists, offering a unique opportunity for discussion and comparison for the definition of a Roadmap to facilitate planning processes maritime space applied to aquaculture.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed between ISPRA and the European Environment Agency for the monitoring service of the national territory of the Copernicus program

Last 9 October, on the occasion of the country visit of the European Environment Agency to Italy, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ISPRA and the European Environment Agency, lasting 18 months, with the aim of promote cooperation between the country and the Agency within the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) and defining its modalities. The cooperation activities, which highlight the opportunity to consolidate collaboration with the EEA in the field of information, training and development of monitoring products based on the needs of national users, are part of the framework of the National Collaboration Program that the Entrusted European entities are signing with Member States on the recommendation of the European Commission

Urban ornithological atlases workshop

Two days of study on ornithological atlases will be held on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November 2024 at the Natural History Museum of Cremona, with the participation of scholars from organizations, universities and institutes from all of  Italy.
A very important tool for understanding the urban environment and the delicate balances that regulate this complex ecosystem, ornithological atlases allow us to initiate land development management that is attentive to the conservation of emergencies and the naturalistic value of individual cities

The Tsunami Ready recognition was awarded to the Municipality of Minturno

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has recognized Minturno, in the province of Latina, as the first Italian coastal municipality ready to manage the tsunami risk, for having adequately prepared to face a possible event of sudden flooding of the coast following an earthquake, on basis of the correct application of the guidelines disseminated by the Tsunami Ready program promoted by the IOC-UNESCO itself in 2015.

The implementation of the Marine Strategy Directive

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and Federparchi, in collaboration with ISPRA, are organizing a series of 3 online meetings to disseminate the results of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD Directive 2008/56/EC) and future prospects.
The growing attention for the protection of the Sea, both by community and national institutions, requires moments of verification and in-depth analysis and it is important for protected natural areas to participate and share experiences.

The first of three meetings dedicated to the second implementation cycle of Directive 2008/56/EC carried out in the period 2018-2024 will be held on 25 October, 10 am.

The next two events will take place, again remotely, on 21 November on the theme "Non-indigenous species and the role of citizen science" and on 12 December on "Program and measures of the Marine Strategy, update of the second implementation cycle".

General states of the Green Economy 2024

The States General of the green economy are dedicated this year to the theme "The economy of tomorrow: the Green Deal at the start of the new European legislature", to start a discussion on that package of strategic initiatives that has put the EU on the path of the ecological transition, in the belief that the transition towards climate neutrality can offer significant opportunities for economic growth, new business models and markets, new jobs and technological development.

Published the "Environment in Italy: an overview. Environmental Data Yearbook 2023"

The statistical report, produced by ISPRA in collaboration with the agencies for the protection of the regional environment and the autonomous provinces within the National System for the Protection of the Environment (SNPA), describes the state of the environment in Italy through the core set of indicators of the environmental indicators database.
The topics covered are: Agriculture and forestry, Fisheries and aquaculture, Energy, Transport, Tourism, Industry, Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Geological hazards, Waste, Economy and the environment, Non-ionizing radiation, Noise, Chemical agents, Environmental assessment and authorization, Environmental certification, Environmental planning tools, Promotion and dissemination of environmental culture, Environment and well-being.

The Report, in a more concise and informative form than the database, presents more than 300 indicators and consolidated information content collected in 21 thematic areas.

Each thematic area is organized with a brief introduction, a summary of the indicators identified to illustrate it and, for each of them, graphic representations and in-depth information.

Environment in Italy: an overview. Environmental Data Yearbook 2023

IdroGeo - The Italian platform on hydrogeological instability

The IdroGEO platform allows the consultation, download and sharing of data, maps, reports, documents from the Inventory of Landslide Phenomena in Italy - IFFI, national hazard maps for landslides and floods and risk indicators.

Manta River Project 2, final event

The final event of the "Manta River Project 2" project will be held on Friday 25 October 2024, which involves the presentation of the results of the studies for the evaluation of the quantities of microplastics in the Po river.
The presentation of the project results is organized by Adbpo, Arpae Emilia-Romagna and Sapienza University of Rome.

A round table will follow to discuss and bring to attention the problem of microplastic pollution in river water bodies, in the presence of ISPRA, ISS, Legambiente, Federchimica PlasticsEurope Italia, and Corepla.

Kick Off meeting of the AlpsLife Project Observe globally, act locally

The Kick Off meeting of the Interreg Alpine Space project AlpsLife: Protect Alpine Life by monitoring and managing Alpine biodiversity for the future was held on 7 and 8 October in Bolzano. “Observing globally, acting locally”. The project aims to develop a harmonized system for the monitoring and management of biodiversity on an Alpine scale with the aim of ensuring its effective protection in the long term.

ISPRA partecipates to the ARTEMIS project

ARTEMIS aims to promote the restoration and conservation of seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean, thanks to the development and implementation of innovative protocols and through the use of particular financial instruments to support such interventions, such as PES (Payments for Ecosystem Services).

Through four pilot projects in the EU-MED area, ARTEMIS aims to provide tangible results for the valorization of marine natural heritage, with initiatives ranging from the transplantation of seagrass beds in damaged areas to their protection, conservation and maintenance.

ISPRA will contribute to the project as a "scientific partner", making its skills and experience available to the consortium on the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows, on the evaluation of the ecosystem services provided by these meadows and on the synergies between best practices and governance models which will contribute to achieving the objectives of ARTEMIS.

Meeting on the V.I.A. - Episode nr. 4

Meeting with Margherita Latronico and Marilena Di Stefano from VESTAS

Wind farms are a fundamental asset in the production of renewable energy. Vestas tells us about which targets offshore wind energy production must reach. How do you go about designing a wind farm? Multi-year monitoring is needed to verify the impact on biodiversity, the landscape and the social context. We are talking about 200m high towers with new generation turbines, slow rotation and low noise emissions, with video camera and radar systems connected to acoustic deterrents for fauna. There is also talk of a circular economy, to have zero waste by 2040 in the wind power production chain (design, operations and recovery of materials) and give clean energy to families.

Video

Spotify

Critical raw materials: interview with the ISPRA General Director on Speciale TG1

On Speciale Tg1 on 15 October, ISPRA General Director Maria Siclari spoke about the importance of critical raw materials which have a strategic value for the economy of the world and Europe and are fundamental to guarantee the functioning of some industrial sectors.
In total there are 76 mines still active in Italy, 22 relating to materials that are included in the list of 34 critical raw materials of the EU. In 20 of these, feldspar is extracted, an essential mineral for the ceramic industry and in 2, fluorite is widely used in the steel, aluminium, glass, electronics and refrigeration industries.

Interview at the minute 0:36:40

The Cop16 on biodiversity

In Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November, the first UN international conference on biodiversity after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal global framework.

World leaders and scientists will come together to define the future of our planet's ecosystems.
COP16 aims to consolidate the commitments made in 2022 during COP15 (Kunming-Montreal), in which 196 governments from around the world approved the "Global Biodiversity Framework" (GBF): a path whose objective is to arrest and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2050.
The conference will focus on assessing progress made by countries in implementing the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which include conserving 30% of the world's lands and oceans by 2030, reducing pollution and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

One of the central themes of the COP will be the financial resources needed to achieve the ambitious goals set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework and where and from whom to obtain these resources.

Another important area of ​​negotiation will concern mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on progress towards biodiversity targets. Furthermore, the conference will address issues related to access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use, a principle known as Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS).

"Exe Flegrei 2024" ISPRA participates in the national exercise on volcanic risk

From 9 to 12 October, "Exe Flegrei 2024" will take place in Campania, the national exercise on volcanic risk organized by the Department of Civil Protection and the Campania Region, in collaboration with the Municipalities of the red zone, the Prefecture of Naples, the operational structures and competence centers of the Department.

ISPRA participates in the CIRAN Project

Is there a sustainable mining activity? A lot of work is being done in Europe to make this possible and ISPRA has also been participating in this effort since 2023 with the CIRAN project (CrItical RAw materials extraction in enviroNmentally protected areas - HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-03).

Coordinated by INTRAW (International Raw Materials Observatory) in collaboration with the European Geological Services, CIRAN is working to find solutions between low impact environmental alternatives, sustainability strategies and social acceptability in order to identify protocols and guidelines that make the cultivation of those rare and strategic materials indispensable for Europe to complete the energy transition and to deal with the supply problems resulting from the current geopolitical situation.

Mining landscapes of medieval Italy

In the first part of the conference, starting from the Tuscan case, the Italian regional frameworks relating to the study of the exploitation of mineral resources in the Middle Ages will be presented and discussed.
The second part of the conference will be dedicated, however, to a comparison of the best strategies for the protection and valorisation of Tuscan mining landscapes.

Publication of RETICULA n. 36/2024

Special Issue - Ecological networks in Italy: new experiences and perspectives from national to local level

The number 36 of RETICULA technical journal is now available online.
This issue marks the beginning of the updating of the APAT Guidelines for the Management of functional ecological connection areas (2003), an activity introduced and described in the editorials by the Director of the General Directorate for the Protection of Biodiversity and the Sea of MASE, Francesco Tomas, and the Director of the Department for the Monitoring and Protection of the Environment and for the Conservation of Biodiversity of ISPRA, Luigi Ricci. 

ISPRA and SNPA President awarded at the Pianeta Mare Film Festival for his commitment of sea protection

The award ceremony of the President of ISPRA and SNPA Stefano Laporta was held on 8 October in Naples as part of the Pianeta Mare Film Festival event.
"I would like to share this award with my colleagues from ISPRA and the National System for Environmental Protection, who are the beating heart of our activities" declared the ISPRA President.
"It is a particularly welcome award because, having been born in a seaside city like Lecce, I feel the marine environment is mine and represents for me the very essence of life, but also because I receive it in an equally splendid city linked to the sea which it's Naples" said Laporta.
"The Pianeta Mare International Film Festival of Naples is an initiative that makes interaction with the young generations its standard-bearer, and in doing so uses different communication channels and different artistic forms, decisive for carrying forward the theme of the defense of sea ​​and our coasts" concluded the President.