News
Guidelines for the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment studies relating to onshore wind farms published
May 27, 2026The Guidelines serve as a technical and methodological reference for the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, providing clear and consistent guidance for impact assessment. Comprehensive and well-structured EIAs help reduce requests for additional information from the competent authorities and limit the inclusion of environmental conditions in compatibility opinions. This results in a faster and more efficient permitting process
5° Workshop of the SETAC ILB
Sep 28, 2026 — Sep 29, 2026 ChioggiaFrom 28 to 29 September 2026, the 5th Workshop of the SETAC Italian Language Branch will take place in Chioggia (VE)
The SETAC Italian Language Branch (ILB) is the Italian-language branch of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), a global non-profit organization dedicated to the study, analysis, and resolution of environmental issues, the management and regulation of natural resources, research and development, as well as environmental education.
Participation of ISPRA in the SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting
May 17, 2026 — May 21, 2026 Maastricht, The NetherlandsFounded with the aim of promoting environmental quality through science and fostering connections between scientific disciplines, regulation, and environmental management, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) annually organizes its European meeting to support informed policies and solutions to global ecosystem challenges. The annual event represents a strategic opportunity for discussion within the international scientific community, aimed at translating research into effective actions and technologies for the protection of ecosystems and human health.
Honorable Mention for IdroGEO
May 26, 2026The 29th edition of the ADI Compasso d’Oro Award — the most prestigious recognition dedicated to Italian design and one of the most influential worldwide — took place in Milan on May 22.
The Compasso d’Oro represents a privileged observatory on design culture, capable of interpreting the industrial, social, and technological transformations shaping our time.
IdroGeo, ISPRA’s national platform for hydrogeological instability — which makes data and information accessible to citizens, technicians, and institutions, helping to strengthen awareness of territorial risks — received yet another recognition with an Honorable Mention.
Challenges in the Measurement of Nature in Official Statistics
May 25, 2026 — May 26, 2026 Istat, RomeMethodological and Communication Challenges of Ecosystem Accounting
The workshop aims to promote official statistical information on ecosystems, in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
Summer School “Marine-Coastal Ecosystems and Climate Change: Chains of Connections and Resilience”
Sep 14, 2026 — Sep 18, 2026 TriesteAs part of ISPRA’s School of Specialization in Environmental Disciplines, the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) is organizing the Summer School on “Marine-Coastal Ecosystems and Climate Change: Chains of Connections and Resilience" which will take place in the city of Trieste from 14 to 18 September 2026.
Acerra Welcomes Pope Leo XIV: ISPRA and SNPA Reaffirm Their Commitment to the “Terra dei Fuochi”
May 25, 2026The President of ISPRA and SNPA, Maria Alessandra Gallone, the Director General of ISPRA, Maria Siclari, and the Heads of the Emergency and Remediation Center, Claudio Numa and Federico Araneo, were present in Acerra for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to the “Terra dei Fuochi”
Also in attendance were the highest State authorities, including the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alfredo Mantovano, Deputy Minister for the Environment Vannia Gava, the Sole Commissioner for Remediation Giuseppe Vadalà, and the Prefects of Naples Michele Di Bari and Caserta Lucia Volpe, demonstrating the concrete closeness of the institutions to a territory that for years has faced the consequences of environmental crime and continues to call for protection, restoration, and a sustainable future.
Following the Law of 9 May 2025, ISPRA has been entrusted with specific tasks related to monitoring the activities carried out by the Sole Commissioner for the “Terra dei Fuochi” with the requirement to publish the results in a dedicated section of ISPRA’s institutional website, ensuring the broadest possible access to data for civil society and interested stakeholders.
In particular, the activities concern:
- the survey of environmental investigation, site characterization, safety measures, and remediation interventions;
- initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and healthiness of agri-food products;
- environmental and health monitoring of the affected populations;
- interventions for the removal of illegally abandoned waste.
The National System for Environmental Protection is committed to ensuring monitoring, control, and scientific support activities by making available expertise, data, and technologies to support the environmental remediation process and strengthen the relationship of trust between institutions and citizens.
Today’s presence represents a concrete sign of attention toward a wounded land, as well as evidence of the State’s commitment to building conditions of greater environmental safety, transparency, and protection of public health.
Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA and SNPA: “The Holy Father’s message calls on all of us to embrace a profound responsibility toward people, territories, and future generations. ISPRA and the National System will continue to carry out their mission with scientific rigor, a spirit of service, and full closeness to local communities”.
Sea La Cinquecento
May 30, 2026 — May 30, 2026 CaorleNot only offshore sailing and sporting competition: this year, the historic offshore regatta “La Cinquecento” in Caorle, in the province of Venice, will also become a major environmental monitoring and marine pollution awareness initiative.
The event, organized by the Circolo Nautico Porto Santa Margherita (CNSM) from May 31 to June 6, will launch “Sea La Cinquecento” a project designed to involve sailors, sea enthusiasts, volunteers, and researchers in concrete action to protect the Adriatic Sea.
Now in its 52nd edition, La Cinquecento is considered the “queen of Mediterranean offshore regattas” The race will start from Caorle and cover the five hundred miles of the route toward the Tremiti Islands and back, passing through Susak (Sansego), along one of the most fascinating and unpredictable courses in the Adriatic Sea.
May 22: World Biodiversity Day
May 22, 2026Italy possesses one of the richest wildlife heritages in Europe: about one third of all European animal species are found in Italy. Wildlife makes an important contribution to biodiversity in terms of richness and complexity. However, although in recent decades Italian wildlife biodiversity has seen the numerical increase and geographic expansion of many vertebrate species, a significant portion still remains under threat.
Italian fauna is estimated at more than 58,000 species, and the total rises to around 60,000 taxa when subspecies are also considered. Of the 672 Italian vertebrate species (576 terrestrial and 96 marine), 6 are extinct in Italy and 161 are threatened with extinction (equal to 28% of the assessed species). Italy’s flora is also highly significant because of its richness in species and subspecies; 20.65% of the 8,241 entities of Italian vascular flora are endemic, meaning exclusive to Italian territory, and among these, 1,128 are also regionally endemic, meaning their distribution is restricted to a single region.
May 22 is World Biodiversity Day, established by the United Nations to celebrate the ecosystems of our planet. This year’s official theme is “Acting locally for global impact”.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the international agreement adopted in December 2022 during COP15, represents the global action plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It includes four global goals for 2050 (Conservation, Sustainable Use, Equity, and Financing) and 23 operational targets to be achieved by 2030. The core of the agreement is the 30x30 target: by 2030, signatory countries have committed to effectively protecting and conserving at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas, protecting at least 30% of marine and coastal areas, and restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems.
This year’s celebration carries particular significance: we are now in 2026, which means we are exactly halfway between the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework (2022) and the deadline for achieving the targets set for 2030.
Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA and SNPA, stated:
“Protecting biodiversity begins above all at the local level, as suggested by this year’s official theme, through concrete actions aimed at regenerating ecosystems. Scientific data show us a fragile balance and reveal a major challenge that can still be addressed, provided we are capable of acting with vision, expertise, and continuity, while safeguarding the natural capital on which our well-being depends.
The key word is: regenerate. Only in this way, through nature-based solutions that will also contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, will it be possible to protect this immense heritage and maintain a high quality of life for everyone.
In this direction, ISPRA and the National System for Environmental Protection are strongly committed to supporting policies, scientific knowledge, and concrete actions for ecosystem recovery, accompanying the path outlined by the European Union and the Green Deal toward the sustainability goals for 2030 and 2050”.
Greenhouse gas emissions: possible 55% reduction by 2030
May 21, 2026Italy’s net emissions reduction by 2030 could be in line with the European Union’s 55% target.
This is highlighted in the ISPRA Report “Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Italy: Reduction Targets and Emission Scenarios”, which outlines the progress made by the country eleven years after the Paris Agreement and identifies the strategic levers needed to strengthen the decarbonization pathway.
The Report shows that the ETS (Emission Trading System), supported by the growth of renewable energy sources and industrial innovation, is already following a trajectory consistent with European objectives. Projections indicate an emissions reduction ranging from 60% to 69% in the energy and industrial sectors covered by the European carbon market.
Protection and Enhancement of Soil in Territorial Governance Processes
May 25, 2026 — May 25, 2026 L'AquilaOn 25 May 2026, a study day dedicated to the research themes developed by Prof. Bernardino Romano will take place at the Aula Magna of the San Basilio Congress Center in L’Aquila. Through this event, the University of L'Aquila and the DICEAA Department intend to commemorate his scientific legacy, now carried forward and further developed by the PLANECO Research Center, as well as by all those who shared with him ideas, projects, and conceptual and operational challenges that territorial planning is called upon to address. The initiative aims to recall and enhance a body of studies and practices that continues to provide interpretative and methodological tools for those working today along the same lines of research and action. The day will conclude with the award ceremony of the first edition of the BiRO Prize, established in memory of Prof. Romano.
Experts from ISPRA will take part in the event.
Weather and Climate Between Science and Social Media
May 28, 2026 — May 28, 2026 PordenoneToday’s tools to inform tomorrow in the new communication landscape
The event aims to bring together experts and professionals in the field to reflect on the role of weather communication between scientific rigor and new media.
In recent decades, the methods used to communicate meteorological and climatological information to the public have undergone profound changes, driven both by the development of data-processing technologies and by the emergence of new forms of mass communication.
TEF – Taranto Eco Forum
May 21, 2026 — May 22, 2026 TarantoNow in its fourth edition, the event has become a national benchmark for environmental sustainability and innovation. It is preparing to further expand both the quality and the scope of the debate, reaffirming a national, practical, and targeted approach aimed at ensuring the full accessibility of its content, in line with European projects and macro-trends.
The new issue of RETICULA, ISPRA’s technical-scientific journal, is now online
May 19, 2026The issue 41 of RETICULA, the technical-scientific journal published by ISPRA and dedicated to ecological connectivity and green infrastructure in land-use and landscape planning, is now available online.
The editorial of the new issue focuses on Mediterranean wetlands, essential ecosystems for biodiversity and climate regulation, highlighting their strategic role as Nature-based Solutions.
“Resilient by Nature”:EEA Photo Competition 2026
May 19, 2026For all European citizens passionate about photography, the European Environment Agency has today launched the EEA 2026 photo competition entitled “Resilient by Nature,” with the aim of exploring the special relationship that connects us to nature. Harmony, Disruption, and Renewal are the three competition categories, designed to present a comprehensive overview of nature’s resilience — how ecosystems function, how they are disrupted, and how they are being restored.
The sea in the laboratory: the mesocosm, a miniature ecosystem for producing plankton
May 18, 2026At the Livorno Aquarium, the experimental phase of the “sea farm” project led by ISPRA is underway.
An advanced platform capable of simulating marine ecosystem conditions, the mesocosm has been installed inside one of the aquarium’s tanks. It is an experimental system enclosed by a fine-mesh net and used for the production of zooplankton in a controlled environment.
The mesocosm is one of the key components of the European project AQuaBioS – “The Sea Farm: for Organic and Sustainable Aquaculture” funded by the Interreg Italy-France Maritime Programme 2024–2027. The project is now entering its central operational phase with the launch of experimental activities dedicated to developing innovative models of sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean.
Coordinated by ISPRA, the project represents one of the most advanced initiatives in the Euro-Mediterranean area focused on the ecological transition of the fisheries sector and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy. With a total budget of approximately €1.8 million, the project aims to develop low environmental impact systems for breeding marine zooplankton, integrating scientific innovation, ecosystem protection, and the economic sustainability of the supply chain.
Workshop MoMaRi Project (Monitoring Macrolitter in Rivers)
May 20, 2026 — May 21, 2026 FiumicinoAs part of the Institute’s activities within the IMPEL network projects, the workshop of the MoMaRi project (Monitoring Macrolitter in Rivers) will take place in Fiumicino on 20–21 May, focusing on the monitoring of floating macro litter in rivers at the river mouth.
In addition to experts from ISPRA, the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPAs), and the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), the initiative will also involve environmental experts from other European countries participating in the IMPEL network.The workshop will include a seminar session, organized in collaboration with the Capitaneria di Porto di Roma Fiumicino, as well as practical monitoring activities carried out directly on the Tiber River.
The IMPEL Network (European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law) is an international association of environmental authorities. It connects public regulators across Europe to share best practices, harmonize environmental policies, and ensure EU environmental laws are applied consistently and effectively through collaborative projects and training.
ISPRA and cetacean monitoring: the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative 2026 gets underway
May 14, 2026In the summer of 2026, the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative will resume, the synoptic survey aimed at estimating the distribution and abundance of cetacean populations across the entire Mediterranean basin. The initiative, promoted by the countries participating in the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS), relies on the coordinated use of naval and aerial assets to provide updated scientific data, following up on the first edition carried out in 2018.
Biodiversity Festival and INFO/RAC Infoday
May 22, 2026 — May 22, 2026 Volterra Scientific High School, Ciampino (Rome)Biodiversity Festival and INFO/RAC Infoday
On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day, May 22nd, the Volterra Scientific High School in Ciampino is promoting the Biodiversity Festival, a meeting aimed at sharing the activities carried out as part of the annual sustainability program.
The event will also host the Infoday, part of the School-Work Training Program (PFSL) "Environmental Governance Lessons: Discovering Actions for the Mediterranean Sea and Its Coasts" organized by the school in collaboration with the Regional Information and Communication Activity Center of the Barcelona Convention (INFO-RAC) of ISPRA.
Green&Blue Festival 2026
Jun 04, 2026 — Jun 06, 2026 MilanoThe Green&Blue Festival 2026 will be held in Milan from June 4 to 6, 2026, at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology. The event, focusing on sustainability and climate, will include three days of meetings, performances, and discussions with international experts.
The theme chosen for this edition is "We focusing on everyone's active role in building a sustainable world".
Seveso, 50 Years Later: From the Accident to the Innovation of Safety Culture
May 19, 2026 10:00 AM — May 19, 2026 04:00 PM Rome, Istituto Superiore Antincendi (ISA)Fifty years after the Seveso industrial accident, on May 19, 2026, the Istituto Superiore Antincendi (Institute for Fire Prevention) in Rome will host an event that aims to transform historical memory into a moment of technical and scientific discussion on industrial safety. 1976 marked the birth of the culture of major-accident prevention in Europe, but today the legacy of the Seveso Directives must confront profoundly changed scenarios and new complexities.
Changing Climate, Responding Territory: Hydrogeological Instability and Risk Management Strategies
May 27, 2026 — May 27, 2026 Cagliani and onlineOn the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the approval of the Regional Law establishing the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sardinia (ARPAS), the conference "Changing Climate, Responding Territory: Hydrogeological Instability and Risk Management Strategies" will be held in Cagliari on May 27th.
The initiative represents an important opportunity for scientific and institutional discussion on climate change and the new challenges posed by the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
Map of Underground Cavities of Rome 2026
May 13, 2026The Map of Underground Cavities of Rome 2026 represents a significant update to the current knowledge framework regarding the distribution of underground voids within the urban territory of Rome. The cartography was produced by integrating data from scientific literature, historical cartographic archives, institutional databases, archaeological maps, and direct investigations, enabling the mapping of the main types of underground cavities (quarries, catacombs, hypogea, hydraulic tunnels, and other underground infrastructures) as well as the development of a density map of hypogeal systems.
General States of the Environment 2026
May 22, 2026 — May 23, 2026 Narni (TR)The event is part of the Sustainable Development Festival 2026 promoted by ASviS - the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development.
The program focuses on strategic themes such as ecological transition, sustainable mobility, quality of urban life, energy and environmental innovation, and territorial participation and governance.
On May 23, Chiara Bolognini of ISPRA will participate in the roundtable discussion "Green Voices from Territories. Best Practices by Local Authorities".
ECOFORUM – Cinema for the Environment
May 26, 2026 07:00 PM — May 26, 2026 08:00 PM Bologna, EX.DYNAMO - La Velostazione, in Via Indipendenza 71ZOn April 28, the second edition of Legambiente Bologna’s film series officially began, dedicated to those who want to look at the world with greater awareness, as well as to nature and biology enthusiasts.
Six films and documentaries explore some of the most pressing issues of recent years: the protection of biodiversity on land and at sea, the unsustainability of agri-food supply chains, forms of climate activism and resistance, and nature’s relentless ability to carry on and thrive despite countless challenges
European Day of Parks 2026
May 24, 2026 — May 24, 2026Healthy ecosystems do not exist in isolation: they thrive only when ecological connections are active — biological corridors, connected habitats, and landscapes that allow species to move, adapt, and flourish.
These connections often extend beyond the boundaries of any single Protected Area. To nurture nature, we must think beyond borders, restore links, build ecological networks, and create partnerships that bring together people, communities, and nature.
For this reason, the slogan of the 2026 Parks Day is “United by Nature.”
The European Day of Parks, celebrated on May 24, is a commemorative day dedicated to protected areas throughout Europe, established in 1999 by the EUROPARC Federation
Four Years of Monitoring Wild Pollinators in the Vesuvius National Park
May 14, 2026 — May 15, 2026On the occasion of World Bee Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Vesuvius National Park is promoting the conference–excursion “Four Years of Monitoring Wild Pollinators in the Vesuvius National Park,” scheduled for May 14–15, 2026, between Ottaviano and Ercolano.
The conference will represent an important opportunity to present the results of four years of monitoring pollinator biodiversity within the territory of the Vesuvius National Park through the BeeVesuvius project.
ISPRA at EGU26: New Methodologies for Managing Posidonia Oceanica Seagrass Banquettes
May 03, 2026 — May 08, 2026 ViennaThe EGU General Assembly 2026 was held in Vienna from May 3 to 8.
ISPRA presented the results of the AMMIRARE project, with a specific focus on sustainable beach management. ISPRA researchers presented a scientific poster dedicated to the development of innovative methodologies for measuring Posidonia oceanica seagrass banquettes.
Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation
May 08, 2026 — May 10, 2026 PadovaThe Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation is now in its fourteenth edition, featuring a rich program of meetings, round tables, and thematic discussions ranging from artificial intelligence to the space economy, from life sciences to energy technologies.
Inauguration of the Agri Research and Teaching Center
May 08, 2026 — May 08, 2026Today, Campus Bio-Medico inaugurated the Agri Research and Teaching Center, an agro-biotech hub and integral part of the Applied Technology Park within the Social Green Masterplan, conceived as an advanced ecosystem integrating research, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.
The hub is designed as a high-tech multifunctional infrastructure, offering the opportunity for an integrated pathway relevant to various fields of research. It aligns with the bio-innovation sector in terms of sustainable sourcing and the enhancement of biological resources, further optimized through engineering and AI applications.
The multifunctional greenhouse, together with its experimental laboratory, has been conceived as an open hub based on the principles of energy security — a space where universities, research centers, and companies can meet and build concrete synergies.