Events and News

Hydrological Balance and Water Resource Availability: 2025 Update, Seasonal Forecasts and Climate Projections

On the occasion of the celebration of World Water Day, ISPRA intends to present the 2025 update of the estimates of the components of the hydrological balance and the natural availability of renewable water resources provided by the BIGBANG model – GIS-Based Hydrological Balance at the National Scale on a Regular Grid. The presentation will also include assessments of the 2025 drought conditions and long-term hydro-climatic statistics.

The BIGBANG assessments at the national and river basin district scale for total precipitation, evapotranspiration, aquifer recharge, and water resource availability (the so-called “internal flow”) constitute the official national data for the WISE SoE – Water Quantity (WISE-3) data flow and for the evaluation of the Water Exploitation Index Plus (WEI+), within the framework of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, as well as for the reporting requirements of the OECD/Eurostat Joint Questionnaire on Inland Waters.

Furthermore, starting from the National Statistical Programme 2023–2025, the National Hydrological Balance indicators produced through the BIGBANG model constitute official statistics within SISTAN – the National Statistical System.

International Day of Forests 2026

The International Day of Forests is celebrated every year on March 21 and represents an important opportunity to reflect on the vital role forests play for our planet. Established in 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly, the Day aims to highlight the essential contribution forests make—not only in providing timber and non-wood forest products (such as berries, mushrooms, resins, and more), but also in delivering key ecosystem services, including erosion control, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people.

The theme for the 2026 International Day of Forests is “Forests and Economies.” Forests support livelihoods, create jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen food systems for billions of people around the world.

1st Training of the Italian initiative “C3S NCP for Italy” in support of hydro-climatic and environmental monitoring and climate change adaptation actions

As part of the National Collaboration Programme C3S for Italy, the first training event organized by the Italian Air Force and ISPRA will take place on February 19.

The training will provide an overview of the products of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), which is dedicated to delivering authoritative and actionable information on past, present, and future climate in Europe and worldwide, as well as on the services currently under development within the C3S NCP for Italy initiative.

A Special Christmas Gift for the Students of the ISPRA V.I.A. Summer School 2024 in Palermo

This year, Christmas comes with a highly symbolic gift for the 65 students of the V.I.A. Summer School 2024: the offsetting of 65 tonnes of CO₂.

Each student is given the offsetting of 1 tonne of CO₂, corresponding to the emissions generated by the school’s logistical activities. Offsetting the travel- and energy-related emissions of participants highlights the impact of our activities and represents concrete action to reduce it.

A different kind of Christmas gift, intended as a sign of consistency and measurable commitment to environmental protection, addressed to future Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) professionals: sustainability in action.

Glacial and Periglacial Hazard in Alpine Environments: A Methodological Framework

The technical document is the result of a joint effort carried out within the civil protection system and coordinated by the Department of Civil Protection, with the aim of providing methodological elements related to the strategic areas of knowledge, communication, and training on high-mountain risks in glacial and periglacial environments, with particular attention to the current context of climate change.

Smart management of green spaces for resilient, sustainable, and livable cities

Green areas provide numerous ecosystem services that are essential for the quality of the urban environment and for the well-being of city residents, including the reduction of the urban heat island effect, the absorption of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, and the creation of opportunities for social interaction and physical activity.
The European Union, with Regulation 2024/1991 on nature restoration, has introduced specific measures for the restoration of urban green areas, requiring Member States to achieve zero net loss of urban green spaces at the national level between 2024 and 2030, and to progressively increase their extent from 2031 onwards, including through integration into buildings and infrastructure.
Technical and management solutions can help improve the maintenance and use of urban green spaces, reducing costs for public administrations, generating environmental benefits such as water savings, and supporting the active involvement of citizens in caring for their local areas.

Enhanced Transparency Framework in the whole of Paris agreement

ISPRA is participating in COP30, providing scientific support to Italian institutions in international climate negotiations and organizing, on November 20, at the Italian Pavilion “Made for Our Future,” the event “Strengthening the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement”, dedicated to climate transparency within the Paris Agreement.

The initiative explores the strategic role of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) in monitoring and reporting countries’ progress on climate action, featuring contributions from representatives of UNFCCC, ICAT, and ISPRA, as well as presentations of concrete examples of international cooperation, such as the Holy See and Cuba.

Toward the 2025 National Tree Day

On the occasion of National Tree Day, which will be held on November 21, 2025, the University of Salerno is organizing an event titled "Toward the 2025 National Tree Day", scheduled for Thursday, November 13.

The initiative, promoted in collaboration with the Committee for the Development of Public Green Spaces (CSVP) of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, aims not only to promote the care of trees—recognizing the essential role of forests and urban greenery in the ecosystem—but also, in particular, to foster dialogue with local communities on future prospects, as well as on the experiences gained by the Regions in the census and enhancement of monumental trees.

EXPERIENCE DAYS in Palermo with ISPRA

Climate Change and its Scientific Evidence: Understanding and Taking Action!

EXPERIENCE DAYS – Interconnections between Climate, Health and Environment, organized as part of the PNC project “Climate and Co-benefits for Health and Equity”, in collaboration with ISPRA, DEP Lazio, CNR-IFT, and UNIPA.

These training days are designed as a space for discussion and hands-on learning, where participants can explore data, discover multidisciplinary tools for analysis and planning, and propose solutions, together with experts from various institutions available to engage with students.

Nature-based solutions for resilient and carbon neutral cities

Bocconi University’s Sustainable Urban Regeneration Lab (SUR Lab), in collaboration with MUSA – Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action (Spoke 1), will participate in four high-level events at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, contributing to global discussions on climate finance, urban resilience, nature-based solutions, and people-centered natural resource governance.

Francesca Giordano of ISPRA will participate at the event "Nature-based solutions for resilient and carbon neutral cities"

Traveling in the Age of Climate Change: Between Ethics, Experience, and Sustainability

The conference is organized as part of BTO, Italy’s leading event dedicated to Digital Tourism, Innovation, and Education.

The climate crisis demands a profound transformation in the way we travel. On an increasingly fragile planet, tourism must be reimagined not only as an economic sector but also as an ethical and cultural practice capable of fostering awareness and regeneration.

This is a pivotal moment for a form of tourism that aspires to be sustainable, responsible, and authentic, questioning how travel experiences can contribute to a new balance between human beings, local territories, and a changing climate.

COP30

The Conference of the Parties (COP), the largest global event for discussions and negotiations on climate change, will be held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21.
COP30 marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement, and it will be the first time a COP takes place in the Amazon — one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

From risk to action: knowing, planning, acting to build heat-resilient territories

The day's underlying theme will be heat risk and heatwaves: a focus on policies, strategies, and actions to effectively integrate welfare, public health, economic systems, and land-use planning, with the goal of building resilient regions and communities in increasingly hotter urban environments. The event stems from discussions developed in recent months with Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente and Ambiente Italia, thanks to funding from the MASE Experimental Program for Adaptation to Climate Change in Urban Areas. It will be an opportunity to share emerging evidence, discuss governance models for adaptation, and initiate a cross-sector dialogue on impacts and operational priorities.

Café Talk "Artificial intelligence, machine learning and remote sensing against Land degradation and desertification"

The second Café Talk organized by the MONALISA Knowledge Community will take place on October 30th. This event will address issues related to the use of technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, machine learning, and remote sensing data, to combat land degradation and desertification, to foster discussion on development prospects. Research by participants in the MONALISA Call for Young Researchers will also be presented during the event.

Presentation of the Europe's Environment 2025 Report, the State of the Environment Report, and the SNPA Environment Report

On October 28, 2025, in the Sala della Regina of Palazzo Montecitorio in Rome, a national event will be held to jointly present three major reports on the state of the environment: Europe's Environment 2025 (European Environment Agency), State of the Environment in Italy 2025: Indicators and Analysis (ISPRA), and the SNPA Environment Report 2025 (National System for Environmental Protection).

The event will offer an integrated and up-to-date overview of key environmental dynamics, from the European, national, regional, and autonomous provinces perspectives.

The three reports present data, indicators, and analyses that enable us to understand current trends, identify emerging critical issues, and understand the responses adopted in different contexts.

These are essential tools for providing the scientific community, institutions, and citizens with reliable and comparable information capable of guiding future decisions towards sustainability. Not just a snapshot of the state of the environment, but also a thoughtful reflection and a solid basis for discussion on the priority challenges to be addressed.

Three complementary perspectives will offer a coherent and authoritative vision of the state of the environment in 2025.

Press release (ita)

Environment report in Europe 2025

The state of environment in Italy 2025

Environmental indicator data base ISPRA 

Program

Festival Planet Earth

Pianeta Terra Festival is an event for all who wish to explore our extraordinary common home and reflect on ways to preserve and inhabit it sustainably. It is a multidisciplinary event: we will discuss ecosystems, climate, new economic models, energy, agriculture, food, urban development, as well as new political, social, philosophical, anthropological, and artistic visions.

Extreme weather events and climate change: from forecasting to prevention

The event is sponsored by the Municipality of Messina on the anniversary of the 2009 flood that killed 37 people in Giampilieri, Scaletta, and neighboring communities.
The initiative will provide an opportunity for discussion between local governments, research institutions, and professionals engaged in studying climate change and managing the resulting risks. Specifically, weather forecasts and climate analysis methodologies will be discussed, with an approach that extends from the national framework to the local context, where the memory of the 2009 flood remains a constant reminder.

Published EEA Report Europe's Environment 2025

Despite significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, the overall state of the environment in Europe is not good, particularly with regard to nature, which continues to suffer from degradation, overexploitation, and biodiversity loss, as well as from the acceleration of climate change, which poses an urgent challenge.

These are the conclusions of the Report Europe's Environment  2025, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report provides the most comprehensive analysis of the current state and outlook for the environment, climate, and sustainability on the continent, based on data from 38 countries. The outlook for most environmental trends is alarming and poses serious risks to economic prosperity, security, and quality of life in Europe.

The European Researchers' Night 205

This year, ISPRA is participating in the European Researchers' Night, along with other public research institutions and universities.
The initiative, which will take place across Europe on September 26 and 27, will be an opportunity to introduce citizens to the world of scientific research and discover the activities and results of public research on current topics.

Summer School Marine-coastal ecosystems and climate change: chains of connections and resilience

As part of the School of Specialization in environmental disciplines, ISPRA organizes in Cagliari, from 22 to 26 September 2025, the Summer School “Marine-coastal ecosystems and climate change: chains of connections and resilience”, aimed at 45 participants including graduates, PhD students and young researchers.
The initiative aims to provide a practical approach to the sustainable management of the coastal strip, encouraging dialogue between universities and applied research.
The activities will take place in various institutional locations with frontal lessons; educational workshops and technical-scientific visits to some coastal sites are planned.

The call and the registration link will soon be available on the ISPRA website.

EU ETS: Perspectives and Opportunities for the Decarbonization of the Maritime Sector

The event is dedicated to the extension of the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to maritime transport. It is organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Western Sicilian Sea.

National and European experts will present the new regulatory framework and the funding opportunities for projects aimed at decarbonizing the sector, with a particular focus on the Innovation Fund.

Protect cultural heritage from hydroclimatic extreme events: learnings from Africa and Balkans

Stakeholders, experts, researchers, and students in the field of the Water(hydro)-Climate-Cultural Heritage Nexus will discuss innovative and concrete strategies to protect cultural and natural heritage from the growing impacts of climate change and, in particular, from extreme hydro-climatic events such as storms, floods, and droughts. The discussion will explore how this challenge of protecting cultural and natural heritage from extreme events affects communities in Europe and Africa, through the presentation of case studies from the Balkans and African regions, and will reflect on possible actions to be taken to strengthen resilience on this issue.

ISPRA at "Missione Italia," 3bMeteo's trip to illustrate, together with industry experts, the impacts of climate change on the country.

On July 29, ISPRA hosted the 3BMeteo "Missione Italia" project at the Marinello Lakes in the province of Messina. Extreme hydro-meteorological events, heavy and exceptional rainfall, droughts, and their impact on the environment and humankind were discussed.

Furthermore, discussions were held on the European Horizon 2020 project - SD-WISHEES - coordinated by the CNR Water Research Institute, in which ISPRA is leading the efforts to understand optimal solutions for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. The national initiative C3S NCP for Italy, coordinated by ISPRA, aims to develop hydro-climatic services based on the use of Copernicus Climate Change Service products in operational national tools and models.

Towards a new European plan for adaptation to climate change

Adaptation to climate change is now a structural priority for European policies. It is not just a matter of responding to more frequent extreme events, but of strengthening the capacity of territories, productive sectors and institutions to operate in conditions of increasing climate variability. In this context, the new European Climate Adaptation Plan (ECAP), scheduled for 2026, represents a strategic step to relaunch adaptive action in the Union. The emerging priorities are developed along three lines: intervention in the most vulnerable sectors (infrastructure, urban planning, agriculture), the promotion of an integrated approach to resilience, with nature-based solutions, the adoption of new policy tools and the integration of climate criteria in fiscal and financial policies.

World Desertification and Drought Day 2025

This year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought focuses on one of the most pressing global challenges: restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land and building a $1 trillion land restoration economy by 2030.

With the theme “Restoring Land. Unlocking Opportunities,” the 2025 celebration highlights how land restoration can create jobs, increase food and water security, support climate action, and build economic resilience.

More than half of global GDP depends on healthy ecosystems. Yet every year, an area the size of Egypt degrades, causing biodiversity loss, increasing drought risk, and displacing entire communities. The ripple effects are global, from rising food prices to instability and migration.

But land restoration turns the tables. Every dollar invested in restoration generates an economic return of $7 to $30. Revitalizing land restores productivity, strengthens water cycles, and supports millions of rural livelihoods.

Café Talk "Sustainable soil management practices and scientific gaps: Microbial based"

The first of the Café Talks that will be organized by the MONALISA Knowledge Community will take place on June 6th. This event will address the issues related to sustainable soil management practices and scientific gaps: microbial-based solutions and will start a discussion among participants on how the MONALISA project can facilitate the development of these practices.

Green&Blue Festival 2025

“Let’s start from scratch. Numbers for the future of the planet” is the theme of this fourth edition. There is, in fact, only one way to address the climate crisis: rely on science. Three days of discussions, conferences, live shows, workshops, exhibits and think tanks to discuss, numbers in hand, the future of the planet. Numbers are the key element to photograph the current state of health of the Earth and, at the same time, to set the objectives necessary to guarantee a future for the planet and especially for its inhabitants.

ISPRA participates in the eighth General Assembly of the Copernicus Climate Change Service

ISPRA, within the framework of the Italian initiative for the National Collaboration Programme (NCP) of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) which it coordinates, will participate in the 8th C3S General Assembly and the 3rd C3S NCP Forum in Valencia from 2 to 4 June.

Climate change and the rights of young generations

On the occasion of the 34th anniversary of Italy’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF Italy and the Parliamentary Commission for Childhood and Adolescence are organizing a conference entitled “Climate change and the rights of young generations”.

In-Country Review of the First Biennial Transparency Report for Italy

From 19 to 23 May, ISPRA hosts the review session of the First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) of Italy, under the Paris Agreement.

The review is part of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), established by the Paris Agreement, which requires all Parties to periodically submit their Biennial Transparency Reports. The objective of the ETF is to ensure transparent, consistent and detailed reporting of progress made towards achieving national climate goals, while strengthening mutual trust and accountability among Parties.