Events and News

On-line the new environmental indicators data base ISPRA

An effective tool to understand the state of the environment in Italy
Developed with a view to improvement, to face increasingly pressing environmental challenges and to satisfy new knowledge needs, including future scenarios, the ISPRA environmental indicators database disseminates detailed statistical information in a dynamic and timely manner characterized by a high scientific solidity.

Reduce losses, strengthen the recovery and reuse of purified water, guarantee security of supplies

On February 27th there will be the second appointment of the public consultation of the Climate Adaptation Strategy of Rome Capital.

There are four priority critical issues to address: the greater intensity of rainfall and floods; the security of water supplies in scenarios where there are greater periods of drought; the growth of heat waves in a city with neighborhoods at risk due to the so-called 'island effect' of urban heat and the intensification of impacts on the coastal coast in a scenario of rising sea levels.

The Frontiers of Ecotoxicology

Organized by the Department of Pharmacy of the Federico University, the meeting is aimed at highlighting the role of ecotoxicology in the assessment of environmental quality and risk and the importance of the ecotoxicological approach in environmental management and remediation. Experts from the university sector, the CNR Water Research Institute, ISPRA,  Istituto Superiore di Sanità and Arpa Campania will participate as speakers.

Presentation of the "Environment Report SNPA" - edition 2023

The Report, now in its fourth edition, offers a detailed overview of the state of our environment based on objective, reliable and comparable information, with 21 environmental indicators that allow us to evaluate the achievement of the numerous set objectives and to effectively address future environmental challenges . The second part of the document highlights the commitment and work of ISPRA and the ARPA/APPA, through a focus on best practices for the fight against climate change, to support the circular economy, to contribute to the process of sustainable finance, to protect our health and our planet and to raise awareness and inform the community.

Program

Spot Environment Report  SNPA

Environment Report SNPA - Edition 2023

XII National Table of River Contracts

On 18 and 19 December 2023, in collaboration with the Campania Region and with the patronage of WWAP UNESCO, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and ISPRA, with the organizational contribution of Alta Scuola, Coordinamento A21 Locali, INU and ANCI, it will be held in Naples the XII National Table of River Contracts with the aim of analyzing river contracts in Italy and making operational proposals for the future.

World Soil Day 2023

Soil and Water, source of life, is the theme chosen for the 2023 edition of World Soil Day
The Day aims to raise public awareness of the importance and relationship between soil and water in the creation of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.

The survival of our planet depends on the precious bond between soil and water. Over 95% of our food comes from these two fundamental resources. Soil water, vital for plant uptake of nutrients, holds our ecosystems together. This symbiotic relationship is the foundation of our agricultural systems.

Land consumption, mainly linked to settlement and infrastructure dynamics, leads to the often irreversible loss of this fundamental, limited and non-renewable environmental resource. The latest ISPRA-SNPA data highlight a continuous growth in artificial surfaces in Italy which, in recent years, is intensifying. In fact, we are witnessing an important and worrying acceleration, with a 10% increase in land consumption in the last year (2022) compared to the previous twelve months. (Report "Consumo di suolo, dinamiche territoriali e servizi ecosistemici - Edition 2023).

Friuli Venezia Giulia in the changing climate: events, evidence, measures

The climate is constantly changing: in the world, in Italy and also in Friuli Venezia Giulia. For this reason it is important to compare different territories from a climatic point of view, analyzing the extreme events that characterized this 2023. A comparative reading of the phenomena, to understand the causes, the strengths and weaknesses of the individual territories, but also to analyze the actions implemented to address a changing climate, from the global level to Friuli Venezia Giulia.

#teveremolluschifantastici…amd where to find them

Citizen science project on freshwater molluscs with the aim of involving citizens in the collection of samples along the Tiber river

ISPRA partecipation at ECOMONDO 2023

Ecomondo is the meeting and dialogue point between industries, stakeholders, policy makers, opinion leaders, local authorities and brings together the key elements that define the development strategies of the European Union's environmental policy.

It is the international reference event in Europe and the Mediterranean basin for technologies, services and industrial solutions in the green and circular economy sectors.

ISPRA program for today:

• How to preserve natural capital by recognizing its economic value
• Biowaste: XXV Conference on Composting and Anaerobic Digestion. Plenary Session
• Il PNRR e l'economia circolare
• Raccogliere la sfida dell’economia circolare. Europa ed Italia di fronte agli obiettivi del 2035
• Approvvigionamento sostenibile e sicuro di materie prime critiche – Iniziative europee e nazionali
• The States General for Soil Health – 2nd edition. Sustainable carbon cycles – Healthy soils for a climateneutral economy. National session

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

The International Day for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction, known worldwide as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, is celebrated on October 13.
The day was created at the behest of the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. The objective of establishing this day is to send an important signal to the governments of all the countries of the world as well as to international organizations and the global population, to reflect on the ever greater frequency and consistency with which natural disasters occur.

Festival Planet Earth

From 5 to 8 October the Pianeta Terra Festival returns to Lucca, a multidisciplinary event in which we will talk about ecosystems, climate, new economic models, energy, agriculture, food, urban development, but also new political visions , social, philosophical, anthropological, artistic.

The ecological transition of water. Knowledge, quality, integration

To face the increasingly constant water crisis that Italy has been experiencing for several years now, we need a strategy for the ecological transition of water, which makes the water footprint increasingly sustainable in all sectors and which puts water at center of adaptation to the climate crisis. From drought to floods, from the protection of ecosystems to anthropic uses, water management passes through a single vision that guarantees the achievement of global objectives.

The Mareographic Network of the Venice Lagoon

Six hours up, six hours down

On the occasion of the European Night of Researchers it will be possible to visit the ISPRA headquarters in Venice. Researchers will meet adults and children curious to discover the functioning of the natural engine of the city of Venice and its lagoon: the MAREA.

The knowledge acquired over the years on the phenomenon will be illustrated through an overview of both the constant MONITORING activity in the field and the development and operational application of MODELS for forecasting the tide level. Above all, it will be a moment to have a useful chat about such an important phenomenon for Venice and the other lagoon islands.

Down to the river - The Italian monitoring of floating macro litter at the mouth of rivers, in the context of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Preliminary investigation on the inputs of marine litter from rivers to the sea

As part of the agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and ISPRA, an investigation on riverine floating macro litter (>2.5 cm) in stations close to the sea was carried out. The project undertook the monitoring of 12 rivers flowing in the three sub-regions (Western Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean), defined by the Marine Strategy. Systematics visual surveys and GPS trackers were used to assess inputs from rivers to sea.

Results and information based on one-year preliminary survey, will be presented in Rome on 28 September 2023 as part of the Communication activities of the mentioned agreement.

What flows beneath our feet? Rome's groundwater in the context of a changing climate

The water supply of the city of Rome comes mainly from springs located several kilometers from the city center, in Apennines or volcanic areas. However, significant water resources are stored underground in the largest municipality in Italy. These resources, the groundwater, are contained in real natural underground reservoirs, the aquifers, which in the Roman area can be of a volcanic and alluvial nature, in some cases even overlapping, which create a rather complex underground water circulation.

Only one Earth

The Festival aims to make aware people towards a real involvement for the biodiversity conversation and the environmental protection. For this reasons, there will be organized three days of conferences, workshops, educational laboratories, shows, exhibitions, readings, excursions and film screenings. In addition, 70 events with about 100 Italian and international guests with whom some of the most current issues will be addressed, to build a more sustainable future.

RemTech Expo 2023

From 20 to 22 September in Ferrara the XVII Edition of RemTech Expo will be held, the Environmental Technological Hub specialized in the themes of recovery, regeneration and sustainable development of territories. Also this year ISPRA will participate in numerous meetings.

Venice - Sea level exceeds 110 cm for the first time in summer

On the evening of yesterday 28 August, the sea level exceeded for the first time in the middle of summer the level of +110 cm on the Tide Mark of Punta della Salute (ZMPS) in the Gulf of Venice, a threshold beyond which there would be significant flooding of the City of Venice, avoided, in this case, by the entry into operation of the MoSE system

Record heat and drought in 2022

Italy's climate in SNPA report. Peak temperature anomaly in June (+3.09°C) and lowest rainfall levels (-22%) since 1961

The "Climate in Italy in 2022" report, published by ISPRA annually since 2006, becomes a SNPA product this year.
Thanks to the involvement of the National System for Environmental Protection, it is enriched with insights on climate also at regional and local scales, as well as on the most relevant hydro-meteo-climatic and meteo-marine aspects of the year under review.

The year 2022 was the least rainy year since 1961, marking -22% below the 1991-2020 climatological average, with precipitation below normal (-39%) from January to July. The anomalies were most pronounced in the North (-33%), followed by the Center (-15%) and the South and Islands (-13%)

Water, a common front against the climate crisis

In Parma on 14 and 15 July 2023 two days of study and discussion on the water resource and its delicate environmental, economic and social balance.

The centrality that the water resource is increasingly assuming in the environmental, economic and social balances requires a reflection on the part of the institutions and stakeholders on the sustainable management of the water resource. May's flood events in Emilia-Romagna teach us.

For these reasons, the Po River Basin District Authority has decided to organize, with the support of the Globe Italia National Climate Association, two study days on the subject, to formulate a series of concrete proposals, based on solid scientific foundations.

Climate national conference

Floods and droughts. What strategies to face the climate crisis?

After the floods that devastated Emilia Romagna and the prolonged droughts that increasingly affect different areas of the country, it is necessary to become aware of the close link between these phenomena and to share innovative strategies and solutions, to increase resilience of territories and cities. In the 4th edition of the Conference, together with experts, representatives of the business world and institutions, possible proposals, existing technologies and possible innovations will be addressed.

Fourth Meeting for the presentation of the Guidelines for the conservation of the Mediterranean trout and its habitat – LIFE STREAMS Az. E.1.2.

The fourth and last meeting of the LIFE STREAMS Project will take place on 26 June, for the presentation of the proposal for Guidelines for the conservation of the Mediterranean trout and its habitat, implemented in the context of Action C.5 of the project. . The meeting - which will be attended by the representatives of bodies, scientific and environmentalist associations - launches the public consultation phase on the Guidelines, which provide for conservation measures in particular to the managing bodies of Natura 2000 sites and protected natural areas, to the Regions and to the Hydrographic District Authorities. The Guidelines include indications for the conservation of the species even outside the protected areas and, in particular, concerning sport fishing.

Innovation for Drought and Agriculture

On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought - 17 June - an event will take place on 19 June, organized as part of the activities set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by FAO with the Italian Research Institutes - ENEA, CNR, CREA and ISPRA - with the aim of improving sustainable food production and nutrition in developing countries.

Regional Conference on Water

Institutional representatives but also the main subjects involved in the protection of water, will discuss to deepen and analyze, also thanks to the collateral events of the Conference, all the issues connected to the water resource: drought, the possibilities of reusing purified water and the risk hydrogeological.

World day against desertification and drought

The "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" proclaimed by the United Nations with a 1995 resolution is celebrated every year on 17 June.

The proposed topic for 2023 is "Her Land. Her Rights". The UNCCD strongly urges greater access to rights to the land that women very often cultivate but often they do not have sufficient rights to own it or in any case manage it and are often the first victims of desertification.

The attention towards the role of women in the direct management of the soil of the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) has grown considerably in recent years, with the adoption in 2017 of a Gender Action Plan, first, and then with actions aimed at supporting national governments to adopt appropriate tools to promote gender equality and access to rights.

Water availability, reached an all-time low: maximum deficits in Sicily, Sardegna and in the Po river district

In 2022, about 20% of the national territory will be affected by extreme drought
June 17, 2023 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

The downward trend recorded by ISPRA in terms of national water availability continues in 2022, with an average value slightly exceeding 221 mm and a reduction of over 51% compared to the average referring to the period 1951-2022, hits an all-time low.

Sicily (–80.7%), Sardinia, (–73%) and the River Po River Basin District (–66%) are the areas most affected by the water deficit in 2022.

Drought, confirmed the growing trend. In 2022, about 20% of the national territory was in conditions of extreme drought and about 40% in severe and moderate drought. In terms of persistence of drought conditions, 2022 is the third most serious year in Italy, preceded only by 1990 and 2002

Press release (ita)

BIGBANG model developed by ISPRA which analyzes the hydrological situation from 1951 to 2022 providing a detailed picture of the components of the hydrological balance and of the renewable water resource

The sustainable governance of water in the time of climate change

The EWA Foundation together with the National Council of Geologists (CNG) and the CNG Study Center Foundation organize the conference on the national and international scenario "The sustainable management of water in the time of climate change", which will be held on 16 June 2023 in

During the conference there will be the opportunity to deepen the strategies for adaptation and mitigation of hydro-geological risks

Third Meeting for the presentation of the Guidelines for the conservation of the Mediterranean trout and its habitat – LIFE STREAMS Az. E.1.2.

The third meeting of the LIFE STREAMS Project will take place on 14 June, for the presentation of the proposal for Guidelines for the conservation of the Mediterranean trout and its habitat. The meeting will take place at the headquarters of the Visitor Center of the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park - Bagno di Romagna (FC). The meeting - which will be attended by the representatives of institutions, scientific, environmental and fishing associations - launches the public consultation phase on the Guidelines, which provide for the conservation measures proposed in particular to the managing bodies of Natura 2000 sites and protected natural areas , the Regions and the Hydrographic District Authorities. The Guidelines include indications for the conservation of the species even outside the protected areas and, in particular, concerning sport fishing.

The Vice Mayor of the city of Chengdu in ISPRA with a delegation

On June 8, a Chinese delegation from the city of Chengdu took visited ISPRA. The delegation led by the Vice Mayor that included managers and officials of the Chengdu municipal administration and the Academy of Environmental Sciences discussed aspects related to drought, climate change and air quality with ISPRA experts. Chengdu city in the Sichuan province in southwest China is one of the most important economic centers in the country and has about 20 million inhabitants.

Sediment management in artificial reservoirs in a circular economy context

Possibilities for the reuse of sediments will be discussed and case histories of intervention will be presented. The event will end with a round table that will compare the points of view of: institutions, managers and the productive world