Events and News

12th National Food Waste Prevention Day

National Food Waste Prevention Day is celebrated on February 5th, this year's theme, #timetoact, underlines the importance of immediate action to combat this phenomenon and achieve United Nations goal 12.3

ISPRA has just published the update on food waste in the new 2025 indicator database. The sad discovery, a dozen years ago, that a third of food is not consumed but wasted, aroused enormous interest from governments, academia and the sector private. Since then, although awareness and efforts have increased, food waste has not decreased. Compared to the first global estimates by FAO in 2011 (1.3 billion tonnes), recent studies that also consider losses in the field report 2.5 billion tonnes, equal to 40% of production (WWF, 2021)

In order to estimate waste in the entire Italian food system (systemic waste) ISPRA includes, in addition to losses in production and consumption chains such as FAO and UNEP, also overfeeding beyond recommended needs and the net loss in livestock farming resulting from input conversion edibles for humans (wheat, soy, corn, etc.). The updated result is that approximately 66% of the food energy produced is wasted. This tells us that three times what is needed on average is produced and is distributed unfairly and wasted. In terms of kcal/person/day there is an increase of 17% between 2015 and 2021. Faced with a population reduction of 2.7%, the country's waste (kcal/day) increases by 14%. The causal trend already identified by ISPRA is confirmed. The growth of industrial efficiencies generates increases in overproduction and supply which then amplify waste and impacts (an effect known scientifically as the Jevons paradox or "bounce").

Computing riverine inputs of macrolitter into the Central Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea) from the Tiber River during the 1st post-pandemic year

Published in the "peer reviewed" journal Science of the Total Environment, a joint ISPRA and Uniroma Tre study on the floating macrolitter that reaches the sea from the Tiber river through its two mouths (Fiumara grande and Canale di Fiumicino) with a particular temporal focus on 1 ° post-pandemic year.
In the period investigated, the results confirmed the high number of macrolitter transported by the river, with an estimated density at the mouth equal to 1170±151 objects/km2; However, compared to previous years, a reduction in macrolitter was detected with a percentage increase in single-use macro-waste linked to both packaging and objects linked to the pandemic period. Furthermore, much of the waste reaches the sea already fragmented.

Further information

Reportage "Tarquinia salt pans, a treasure chest of biodiversity and geodiversity"

The Saline di Tarquinia Nature Reserve is a hyperhaline wetland area, among the few remaining in the Tyrrhenian Sea, in whose extension various geological-environmental aspects are represented. The area is mostly occupied by shallow water basins, almost all communicating, salty and hyperhaline, separated by stone and wooden embankments. The Tarquinia Saline, currently SPA (Special Protection Area) and SAC (Special Conservation Area), became a protected area in 1980, as it was recognized as having a high naturalistic value, with environmental characteristics particularly suitable for stopping and the nesting of numerous migratory birds.

World Wetlands Day 2025

The World Wetlands Day on February 2, celebrates the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 1971, and aims to raise awareness around the world of the great importance of wetlands for people and for our planet.
The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as “marshes, bogs or reservoirs, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with stagnant or flowing water, fresh, brackish or salt, including expanses of marine water whose depth, during low tide, does not exceed six metres". The Convention is the only international treaty on the environment that deals with these particular ecosystems which, in addition to hosting and conserving a rich biological diversity of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, guarantee huge resources of water and food and play a fundamental role in mitigating climate change. The integrity of these environments is threatened by human activities.

Tales of monitoring and river molluscs

On the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2025, the Participatory Science project "#teveremolluschifantastici...e dove trovarli"" is organizing an excursion on 1 February to the Nazzano Tevere-Farfa Regional Nature Reserve to talk about river ecology, freshwater molluscs and water monitoring with practical experiments. The project aims to increase awareness of river biodiversity and contribute to the conservation of inland water ecosystems, also by mapping the presence and distribution of molluscs, with a pilot project on the Tevere river; the data collected flows into the portal of the National Biodiversity Network.

World wetlands day and the Puglia campaign carried out by ISPRA

The number of aquatic birds has been one of the main metrics for assessing the conservation status of wetlands since the Ramsar Convention: an accurate method that is not affected by political pressure or exploitation. This January too, ISPRA carried out its share of field activities, together with the vast network of external detectors that widely covers the national territory as a perfect example of citizen science. The Institute's cars have been spotted everywhere, from the frozen reservoirs of Cadore to the mud of Capitanata, with demanding stops in the Venetian lagoons and some visits to the Tyrrhenian side.

Bees & Vespa orientalis. A challenge for the ecosystem

Understand and act to save bees

The conference "Api & Vespa orientalis. A challenge for the ecosystem" will be held on Tuesday 28 January in Rome. Experts in the sector will address the topic to help people understand the phenomenon and take action to protect bees.
In the meeting will participate an ISPRA researcher who will talk about the importance of correct communication of risks to the general public

The Blue Crab containment plan presented to MASAF in the presence of ministers Lollobrigida and Pichetto Fratin

On 22 January at the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, the extraordinary commissioner for the Blue Crab, Pref. Enrico Caterino, accompanied by the Director of the Department for monitoring and protection of the environment for the conservation of biodiversity of ISPRA, Luigi Ricci , illustrated the contents of the "Intervention plan to contain and combat the phenomenon of the spread and proliferation of the blue crab species".

The result of joint work carried out with the technical support of ISPRA and with collaboration the National Research Council, CREA, Port Authorities, Ministries and territorial bodies of the Regions most affected by the emergency. The plan, with a total financing of 10 million euros - allocated in the Legislative Decree. Agriculture - for the two-year period 2025-2026, aims to protect the biodiversity of the affected habitats, contain and combat the proliferation of the invasive species, prevent further economic damage and promote the resumption of farming and fishing activities.

The Barcelona Convention: ISPRA at the practical training course for the conservation of cartilaginous fish of the Adriatic Sea and beyond

On January 21-23, the practical course on monitoring, identification and advanced research techniques for the conservation of cartilaginous fish in the Adriatic Sea was held in Vlore (Albania). Organized thanks to the joint efforts of UNEP-MAP (Barcelona Convention) and Sharklab ADRIA, and financed by MASE. Umberto Scacco and Massimo Dalù from ISPRA were present at the course under the expert guidance of Dr. Andrej Gajić from Sharklab ADRIA, and the supervision of the head of the SPA/RAC - Barcellona Convention, Lobna Ben Nakhla. During the course, samples of cartilaginous fish species of conservation interest from a marine area particularly rich in biodiversity in the waters of Vlora were analyzed.

New update of the ISPRA indicators database

More than 200 indicators from the ISPRA environmental indicators database have been updated, the objective is to promote greater environmental awareness and involve the scientific community, in particular that of environmental statistics and information, in the crucial environmental issues of our time.

The database of environmental indicators, organized into 39 environmental themes, with over 300 indicators (ISPRA core set), is the most complete collection of statistical data and information on the state of the environment in Italy created and managed by the Institute for the Protection and Environmental Research (ISPRA) in collaboration with regional agencies and autonomous provinces within the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA).

The indicators, classified under Environmental Themes, are structured in sheets containing descriptive information (metadata) such as, for example, the objectives to be achieved, the assessment of the state, the trend and data represented with graphs, tables and maps.

The international census of water birds begins for the 35th consecutive year

Coordinated for Italy by ISPRA, the Wetlands International project promotes the counting of water birds around mid-January across the entire European territory

These days, censuses of wintering waterbirds are starting in more than 2000 Italian wetlands as part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) project. The project is coordinated by ISPRA, which makes use of a network of over 500 expert detectors and at least triple the number of collaborators, distributed throughout the country. Now in their 35th year of continuous activity across the entire national territory, the IWC censuses represent one of the longest-running coordinated Italian study projects, certainly the first in terms of capillarity and regularity of coverage at a geographical level.

Water birds are a fundamental component of wetlands. Diversity and number of individuals provide crucial information on the health status and environmental quality of frequented sites, but also opportunities to enhance wetlands for recreational purposes in a sustainable way. The protection, improvement and where possible the restoration of Italian wetlands have implications that go well beyond the protection of the species they host, including for example the elimination of carbon from the atmosphere, the protection from extreme meteorological events, the mitigation of effects of climate change.

Waterbirds represent a shared wealth among peoples: their long and complex migrations unite wetlands and people, regardless of cultural and political borders.

Public consultation for new SIC/ZPS sites beyond territorial waters

The public consultation for new sites beyond territorial waters is open until 31 January 2025.

In order to complete the network of Natura 2000 sites beyond the limit of territorial waters in implementation of what is required by the Habitats and Birds Directives, a technical-scientific evaluation of the areas meeting the established criteria necessary for completion was carried out with the support of ISPRA of the network of Natura 2000 sites.

Project LIFE ABILAS

General States of Italian Protected Areas

Ten years after the last opportunity for general discussion, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, in collaboration with Federparchi-Europarc Italia, is organizing a two-day event which will see the presence of the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto, and to the Undersecretary Claudio Barbaro, delegate for protected areas, also the Ministers Nello Musumeci, Alessandro Giuli and Daniela Santanchè, the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Patrizio La Pietra, the representatives of the 79 environmental organizations invited to the discussion, the presidents of the park authorities and marine protected areas, representatives of local authorities, of the world of research and universities, of the bodies soldiers engaged in protecting the environment, and a discussion between representatives of all political parties, government and opposition.

Ungulates in Italy. Decline and rise

The fifth and final meeting organized by the CAI speleological group with the TAM (Mountain Environment Protection) commission of the CAI of Rome will be held on 12 December.

After a period of decline that culminated in the second half of the last century, the species of cervids and bovids present in Italy (deer, roe deer, fallow deer, mouflon, chamois and ibex) have begun a phase of recovery throughout Italy, due both to the improvement of environment (abandonment of mountain areas, increase in forests), and the creation of protected areas and intervention to reintroduce populations. Today we have many more wild ungulates than just 20 years ago, with positive effects on the environment and on other species, such as large predators. However, there are also problematic aspects, such as the negative impact on some priority species or environments, the damage caused to agriculture and road accidents. The management of these species therefore requires an overall approach, which also takes into account the social component as well as the conservation one.

Webinar on Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD 2008/56/CE) – Update for the second implementation cycle

The sea resource is fundamental for ecosystem balances and for sustainable development, the role of governance tool of the European Marine Strategy Directive defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, Directive 2008/56/EC) fits into this framework. On 12 December, at 10 am, the third and final online meeting will be held whose focus will be dedicated to the presentation of the program of measures of the Marine Strategy, pursuant to art.12 Legislative Decree 190/2010, with the Update for the second implementation cycle , as required by art.7 Legislative Decree 190/2010.

The webinar will focus on the illustration of descriptors 1,2,5 and 10 of the European Directive.

Invasive alien species: state of knowledge and management interventions

The event is aimed at the scientific community, technicians of local authorities and protected areas, and university students.

The introductory interventions will be carried out by the competent regional sector, by ISPRA for its role in the fight against invasive species and by the Lombardy Region which, as lead partner of Life NatConnect 2030, will illustrate the contribution of the project in the Po basin area.

NET Scienzainsieme. Scientific aperitif "Alien species: what they are, why fear them and how we can stop them"

Aliens are among us. It's not a science fiction film, but our reality. What do we know about them? What can we do in our daily lives to limit its impacts? Dr. Piero Genovesi, ISPRA researcher and scientific communicator, will accompany us on a journey to discover alien species, to increase our awareness of the risks associated with their introduction and spread. Dr. will also participate in the event. Giovanni Raimondi, scientific curator of the Livorno aquarium, who will delve into the topic of marine alien species along the Tuscan coasts.

Climate Change and Cetaceans in the Mediterranean: a strong reduction in the conditions suitable for the survival of some species is estimated in 25 years

The warming of the Mediterranean Sea is proceeding at a faster rate than the global average, putting all the species that live there at serious risk. Cetaceans are no exception, present with 11 regular species in the Mediterranean, which can respond to variations in climatic conditions by moving, but also conditioned by the distribution of their prey.

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

Green and health are the future of our cities

On November 28th in Randazzo (Catania) a conference to talk about urban green management with particular attention to the changes introduced by the new public procurement code. There will be a dialogue between the institutions and those who work for the maintenance and creation of urban and extra-urban greenery, historic gardens, parks and landscape. The event is part of a series of events entitled "Green and health are the future of our cities" which started from Napoli, passing through Milano, Roma, Torino and Bari.

Final event Life Perdix

The LIFE Perdix project is coming to an end after six years of intense work. During the project, individuals of Gray Partridge were genetically selected and reintroduced into the “Valle del Mezzano” SPA, forming a stable and reproductive population.

The final conference will take place over two days, during which the results obtained will be illustrated.

Discovering the ancient oaks of Cerquone. The species registered in the List of monumental trees of Italy

The National Biodiversity Network (NNB) of ISPRA, in collaboration with the Castelli Romani Regional Park Authority, is promoting a day open to the public on 23 November dedicated to visiting the old oaks (Quercus robur L., 1753) present in the woods of “Cerquone”: a naturalistic oasis rich in biodiversity located within the Castelli Romani Park.
The initiative is part of the National Tree Day and has the aim of promoting knowledge of the two arboreal specimens present in the territory registered and included in the list of monumental trees in Italy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and of forests (Masaf). The list lists the specimens that stand out for their biological and ecological value, based on the age, size, morphology, rarity of the species or habitat for some animal species, but also for their importance from a historical-cultural point of view. and for their ability to characterize the landscape both in aesthetic and identity terms.

The Nature Restoration Regulation: recovering river connectivity to improve land quality and adapt to climate change

The Po river basin district authority in collaboration with the CIRF is organizing the conference in Turin entitled "The Regulation on nature restoration: recovering river connectivity to improve the quality of the territory and adapt to climate change." During the meeting, the implementation process of the Nature Restoration Law will be discussed in depth, both in Europe and in Italy, with special attention to its river component. Emblematic examples of connectivity restoration from various European countries will be presented.

They are around us, among us... the Boar

The third meeting organized by the CAI speleological group with the TAM (Mountain Environment Protection) commission of the CAI of Rome will be held on 21 November.
With their increasing presence in cities, wild boars can create risky situations for humans and wildlife. Close encounters can lead to conflicts, especially in situations where animals feel threatened or are defending their young, not to mention the risks to road traffic

Together with Barbara Franzetti, ISPRA researcher, the topic of wild boars will be addressed, not only from the point of view of biology and behavior, but also of their growing adaptation to urban environments and the dangers this entails.

Second webinar "The implementation of the Marine Strategy Directive"

Non-indigenous species and the role of citizen science

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.

National Tree Day

The National Tree day, established by the Ministry of the Environment and recognized with art. 1 of Law 14 January 2013, n. 10, is celebrated every November 21st throughout Italy. The aim is to promote the care and valorisation of trees and to remember the essential role of forests and urban greenery for our ecosystem.
The National Biodiversity Network (NNB) of ISPRA, in collaboration with the Castelli Romani Regional Park Authority, is promoting a day open to the public on 23 November dedicated to visiting the old oaks (Quercus robur L., 1753) present in the woods of “Cerquone”: a naturalistic oasis rich in biodiversity located within the Castelli Romani Park.
The initiative is part of the National Tree Day and has the aim of promoting knowledge of the two arboreal specimens present in the territory registered and included in the list of monumental trees in Italy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and of forests (Masaf). The list lists the specimens that stand out for their biological and ecological value, based on the age, size, morphology, rarity of the species or habitat for some animal species, but also for their importance from a historical-cultural point of view. and for their ability to characterize the landscape both in aesthetic and identity terms.

Technology to support the management of protected areas

On 4, 5 and 6 November, the activities of the PNRR DigitAP project "Monitoring of pressures acting on habitats using advanced sensors" began at the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise.

Nature map of Calabria region

As part of the work to create the Nature Map of Italy, the habitat map and the related ecological-environmental assessments for the Calabria region are now available on the ISPRA website.

With Calabria, the Nature Map has been completed on 17 Regions, reaching almost 80% of the national territory.
The map, at a scale of 1:25,000, includes 123 different habitat types.

The PNRR activities for the digitalisation of parks begin with the study of the "rebel" habitats of the Pantelleria Island National Park

From 15 to 17 October at the Pantelleria Island National Park we talked about "rebel" habitats, i.e. those habitats that resist particular extreme ecological conditions, climate change and anthropic impact.

This was done by ISPRA researchers as part of the PNRR Project "DigitAP - Digitalization of Protected Areas", starting the floristic-vegetation data collection activities on the island.

The Pantelleria Island National Park represents an excellent example of a Mediterranean environment with species and habitats protected by the Habitats Directive and numerous endemic species, i.e. species present exclusively on the island, such as Limonium secundirameum, a small plant that grows only along the coasts of Lake Bagno dell'Acqua or Limonium cossyrensis, present only along the rocky coasts of the island