Events and News

18th National Mining Day

The initiative is promoted and coordinated by REMI, ISPRA, in cooperation with AIPAI, ANIM, ASSORISORSE, G&T, MASE and under the patronage of prestigious institutions such as European Route of Industrial Heritage ERIH, Consiglio Nazionale dei Geologi CNG, EuroGeoSurveys EGS, e AMODO Alleanza per la Mobilità dolce.

Italian port infrastructure and its monitoring: ISPRA’s two new geodatabases – Maritime Works Layout and Port Transformation Areas

On April 29, 2026, at 9:00 AM, the Conference Hall of ISPRA will host the conference:
“Italian Port Infrastructure and Its Monitoring: ISPRA’s Two New GeoDBs – Maritime Works Layout and Port Transformation Areas.”

Based on high-resolution data layers covering the entire national coastal system, ISPRA presents and releases two new databases:

Maritime Works Layout (AOM), including the digitization and characterization of all structures classified as port infrastructure, with details on their type, function, and usage conditions, their evolution over time, ISTAT references, affiliation with relevant territorial authorities or administrations, and declared or estimated berthing capacity;

Port Transformation Areas (ATP), including the digitization and characterization of polygons related to obstruction (seabed occupation), excavation (coastal land occupation), and alteration (modification of natural conditions within basins) for all coastal port infrastructures, compared to pre-development conditions (ante operam).

Workshop “Photographic Monitoring of Landslides”

The workshop will present new technologies for landslide monitoring, with a focus on photomonitoring and on the results of experimental activities carried out by Sapienza University of Rome across 13 landslide sites throughout the country, within the framework of the GeoSciences IR project, funded by the PNRR MUR and coordinated by ISPRA.

Stories in Stone: A Geological Journey Through the Basilicas of Rome

As part of the Festival of Science di Rome, ISPRA is organizing, on April 18, the geological walk “Stories in Stone: A Geological Journey Through the Basilicas of Rome.”

Rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1823, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls represents an important example of the restoration of early Christian architecture, while preserving its connection to its ancient origins. One of the building’s distinctive features is the extensive use of ornamental stones sourced from various areas of the Mediterranean.

The guided tour will offer participants the opportunity to closely observe these lithological varieties, appreciating not only their quality and aesthetic value, but also their historical significance—providing a unique chance to discover how architectural beauty intertwines with history and geology.

The Geothematic Cartography of the CARG Program

ISPRA and the Italian Military Geographic Institute are organizing the conference “The Geothematic Cartography of the CARG Program” scheduled for April 16, 2026, at the headquarters of the Italian Military Geographic Institute in Florence.

The event represents an important opportunity for scientific and technical discussion on the results and developments of the CARG Program (Geological Map of Italy), with particular focus on the production of geothematic cartography, including geomorphological, hazard, hydrogeological, and geomineral mapping. Throughout the day, experts from ISPRA, universities, research institutions, and public bodies will present thematic map sheets currently under development within the CARG framework, illustrating methodologies, expected results, and future perspectives. Significant attention will also be given to the collaboration between ISPRA and the Italian Military Geographic Institute, as well as to new frontiers in digital cartography.

The day will open with institutional greetings from high-level representatives of the Italian Military Geographic Institute and ISPRA. A visit to the Italian Military Geographic Institute is scheduled at the end of the event.

ISPRA participates in the Rome Science Festival 2026

Soil Health by 2050: Strategic and Practical Implications of the European Soil Monitoring Directive

The conference aims to explore the strategic and operational implications of the European Soil Monitoring Directive, with a view to achieving the “healthy soils” objective by 2050. Particular attention will be given to measurement systems and soil health indicators, as well as their integration with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the European CRCF Regulation on carbon credits.

The event will also examine the role of public research and environmental agencies, presenting regional experiences and case studies aimed at promoting innovation transfer and technical-professional advisory services.

Reading the Territory, Interpreting the Landscape, Designing the Future

The landscape is not merely the sum of a territory’s geophysical and climatic characteristics; rather, it is the result of the interaction between human beings and the environment. A dynamic synthesis of nature and culture, and of the ways in which communities have inhabited and transformed the land, the landscape is the outcome of a stratification of relationships that defines the identity of a place. It is the visible form of the environment in its historical evolution: a space that is not only physical, but also a reflection of our aesthetic perception and a guardian of our emotional connections.

Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 Scale (CII500K)

On the occasion of World Water Day, ISPRA highlights the strategic role of hydrogeological knowledge in the protection and sustainable management of water resources.

In Italy, more than 80% of the water intended for human consumption comes from groundwater. This figure underscores the importance of having reliable knowledge tools to understand, manage, and protect a resource that is fundamental for the country.

The Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 scale (CII500K) represents a national-scale synthesis product aimed at describing the main hydrogeological complexes and the dynamics of groundwater. The map provides an organic and homogeneous overview of the territory, useful for analyzing available resources at the national level.

VISIONS FROM THE SKY: Growing and Learning with CLMS

The meeting “VISIONS FROM THE SKY: Growing and Learning with CLMS,” which will take place at ISPRA headquarters in Rome and in hybrid format, represents the final event of the first phase of the CLMS National Collaboration Programme.

The event provides an opportunity to present the experiences and activities launched under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 9 October 2024 between ISPRA and the European Environment Agency (EEA). This agreement has seen ISPRA play a leading role through its strategic function as National Focal Point and coordinator of the Eionet network, strengthening Italy’s collaboration with the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS).

The initiative is part of the collaboration programmes promoted by the European Commission to integrate Copernicus services—including those related to the atmosphere (CAMS) and climate change (C3S)—with national technical excellence.

Pillars of the Initiative

Over the past year and a half, the programme has pursued three ambitious objectives:

• Information Synergy: strengthening information exchange and the development of shared monitoring products.
• Data Integration: promoting coherence between national thematic services (based on in situ data, remote sensing, and modelling) and European standards.
• Local Innovation: developing new monitoring tools based on Copernicus products to address the specific needs of the Italian territory.

Geopolitics and Rare Earths. Politics, Economics and Finance Reflect on the Future: Between Risks and Opportuniti

On Tuesday, 17 March 2026, the conference “Geopolitics and Rare Earths. Politics, Economics and Finance Reflect on the Future: Between Risks and Opportunities” will take place in Milan, at the Auditorium Giorgio Squinzi of Assolombarda. The event will examine the topic from multiple perspectives: political and international relations, economic and diplomatic dynamics, industrial production, investments and financial markets, with the aim of formulating appeals and proposals addressed to the government and institutions.

From Emergency to Prevention: Territorial Safety as a National Mission

The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Hydrogeological and Seismic Risk in the Italian Territory is organizing the conference “From Emergency to Prevention: Territorial Safety as a National Mission” on 12 March.

During the panel “Fragile Italy: Data, Knowledge and New Monitoring Tools. Vulnerability, Interventions and Prevention,” ISPRA President Maria Alessandra Gallone will speak.

The New Structural Map of the Italian Seas Is Now Online

A fundamental tool for deepening knowledge of our country’s seabed, the result of years of joint work between public research institutions and Italian universities

Providing an integrated representation of the main tectonic units and geological structures present in the Italian seas—from abyssal depths to submerged ridges—offering an updated and comprehensive picture of the geological framework of submerged areas: this is the objective of the new Structural Map of the Italian Seas, now available online, a key tool for understanding the geological structures that characterize the seabed of our country. The map was produced by the Department for the Geological Survey of Italy of the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), and the Universities of Genoa, Palermo, Roma Tre, and Trieste. The map is the result of years of joint research carried out by public research institutions and Italian universities.

On February 27, a new Copernicus Land Monitoring Service training course will take place: Bio-geophysical Variables at the European scale

The Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) is launching a new training course focused on Bio-geophysical Variables products at the European scale, with particular emphasis on HR-VPP, Water Bodies, Snow, and the EU-Hydro dataset.

When the land disappears: the future we will not see

The Upper Valdarno, an area that includes territories within fifteen municipalities across the provinces of Arezzo and Florence, has experienced significant land consumption over the past 20 years, both permanent and reversible.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss land consumption, the recent flooding events that reflect the ongoing effects of climate change, and territorial restoration projects.

Lotti 2026: One Hundred Years of Geological Research in Umbria

One hundred years after the publication of Geological Description of Umbria by Bernardino Lotti, the conference “Lotti 2026: One Hundred Years of Geological Research in Umbria”, to be held in Spoleto from 18 to 20 February 2026, aims to retrace the evolution of geological knowledge of the Umbria–Marche region and to highlight the most recent developments as well as the issues that require further investigation. Umbria, in fact, has been and continues to be a natural laboratory for geology, and from here research has originated that has developed topics of general interest, including at a global scale.

The Hydrogeological Map of Italy at the 1:500,000 scale has won the “Elio Botti – Come Acqua Saliente” Award

The seminar “Water Well Design” was held on February 18 in Padua. During the event, the awards of the 21st edition of the “Elio Botti – Come Acqua Saliente” Prize were presented.

For the third time, ISPRA has won this prestigious award, which recognizes projects and activities focused on groundwater. The prize is supported by leading scientific and technical institutions, including the Università degli Studi di Padova, Gruppo Italiano della IAH, Ordine dei Geologi del Veneto, Parco Regionale del Delta del Po, Confindustria Veneto, ANIPA and AIGA.

Following the two awards received during the 18th edition, ISPRA has now received, in collaboration with Università degli Studi di Milano (Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “Ardito Desio”), ISTAT e CMCC, the “Jury’s Special Mention” for the project CII500K — la nuova Carta Idrogeologica d’Italia alla scala 1:500.000.

ISPRA Participation in the Workshop “SiCon – Contaminated Sites 2026”

ISPRA actively participated in the 17th edition of the workshop “SiCon – Contaminated Sites 2026: Experiences in Remediation Interventions,” held at the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering of Sapienza University of Rome, from February 11 to 13, 2026.

The event, a national reference point for professionals in the remediation sector, involved researchers, institutions, environmental agencies, and companies, with over 300 scientific contributions presented across plenary, special, and technical sessions. The workshop represented an important opportunity for exchange and discussion with academia, environmental agencies, institutions, and industry professionals.

R3 Materials -> Next Materials

Institutions, Research, and Businesses Discuss Critical Raw Materials
Relevance, Regeneration, Recycling
Will these new buzzwords inspire the governance of critical and strategic raw materials in global supply chains marked by technological, energy, and industrial transformations? And how can they be reconciled with imports and domestic mining activities?

TAIEX-EIR multi-country Flagship workshop on the Soil Monitoring Law

The "TAIEX-EIR multi-country Flagship workshop on the Soil Monitoring Law," organized by the European Commission on the Soil Monitoring Directive, will be held on January 27 in Brussels.

The evolution of geological and mining cartography

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM, Diego Pieruccioni (ISPRA) will participate in the webinar "The Evolution of Geological and Mining Cartography."

The webinar is jointly organized by the History of Geosciences Section and the Strategic Raw Materials and Mineral Deposits Development Section of the Italian Geological Society.

Tandem – Discovering Circular Italy

The return of mining: new sustainable extraction techniques and a legacy to keep alive are at the heart of the second episode of Tandem – Discovering Circular Italy, the podcast series that shows how sustainability and beauty can grow together through the circular economy.

Beneath Mount Amiata lies one of the richest geothermal areas in Europe: a place where the earth holds energies and materials that could shape our future. From the mountain’s slopes, Edo and Marti travel along ancient mining routes and then set sail for Elba, in search of a past that deserves to be preserved.

Tandem gives voice to the commitment of ISPRA and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy which, through the Facciamo Circolare (“Let’s Make It Circular”) campaign, promote a more sustainable development model—one in which every daily choice can make a difference.

Regional Sites, an update on remediation: nearly one in two municipalities involved, over 16,000 active proceedings in Italy

Published the IV ISPRA report "The fourth report on the contaminated sites management at regional level"

The 46% of Italy’s municipalities, equal to 3,619 municipalities, are affected by at least one remediation procedure ongoing as of 1 January 2024; 70% of regional remediation procedures have been concluded without the need for remediation and/or safety measures; on average, 1,190 new remediation procedures are initiated nationwide each year.

This is highlighted in the 4th Report on the Remediation of Regional Sites published by ISPRA, which presents and analyses data relating to remediation procedures updated as of 1 January 2024. The report is based on data submitted by SNPA, the Regions, and the Autonomous Provinces for the 2024 population of MOSAICO, the national database on remediation procedures. The analyses cover 16,365 ongoing remediation procedures and 22,191 completed remediation procedures.

The GeoSciences IR research infrastructure is open to everyone

On Monday, 12 January 2026, at the Serra Hall of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, the GeoSciences IR research infrastructure will be opened to the public.

The infrastructure, developed for the Regional Geological Services, was funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) with contributions from 13 universities and 3 research institutes, coordinated by ISPRA.

The event will offer public administration technicians, professionals, and citizens the opportunity to access for the first time more than two hundred products developed during the project, including datasets, services, viewers, applications, tools, software, and vocabularies.

The GeoSciences IR e-learning platform will also be inaugurated, offering numerous training and outreach resources covering the main areas of geology.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity to discuss the products developed, in view of the final release of the infrastructure scheduled for 31 March 2026.

Program

Land cover databases in Veneto

Innovative Tools for Land Planning

The conference "Land Cover Databases in Veneto" will be held in Venice on December 18th, organized by the Veneto Region.
Michele Munafò, Head of the National Environmental Information System at ISPRA, will be participating.

20th Meeting of the ReMi Network - National Network of Mining Parks and Museums

On Monday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m., the SNPA Hall at Via Brancati 60 in Rome will host the tenth anniversary of the National Network of Mining Parks and Museums. This event is part of the GeoSciences IR project, part of the PNRR URBES (National Network of Mining Parks and Museums) program, and is sponsored by ANIM.

The event includes a visit to the ISPRA Geological Collections recently exhibited at the Museum of Labor Civilization.

The ISPRA IdroGEO platform awarded among the Design Excellence in Lazio 2025

The Industrial Design Association (ADI), under the patronage of the Lazio Region, has awarded the annual recognition celebrating Design Excellence in Lazio to IdroGEO, the national platform on hydrogeological instability.

The award was presented to ISPRA and Studio Brillante/Sciamlab, which oversaw its design and development.

Version 2.0 of IdroGEO, developed as part of the PNRR Geosciences IR project, ensures intuitive and accessible consultation of complex data, thanks in part to the integration of Artificial Intelligence tools and a design that streamlines the user experience.

World Soil Day: New Horizons

The conference “World Soil Day: New Horizons” is the national event in which researchers, companies, and public administrators will look to the future of this essential yet fragile resource. They will come together to explore in depth the many interactions between soil, human activities, and the environment, based on scientific evidence and good practices.

Four technical-thematic round tables are proposed: urban soils and city regeneration; waste management; land remediation and water in agricultural fields; and the production of natural textile fibers, all understood through the lens of sustainability and the circular economy.

Soil, in short, serves as the common thread linking everyday life to the major ecological, political, and land management challenges of our time.

Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities

The event, organized by the Italian Composting Consortium, will be a forum for discussion dedicated to the value of soil as an essential resource for the quality of life in our cities and for the resilience of our territories.

Institutions, experts, research organizations, and representatives from the environmental world will participate to explore the issues of soil protection, urban greenery, and the circular economy.

Soil monitoring

European perspectives compared with national and regional realities

On October 23, the European Parliament approved the European Soil Monitoring Directive (SMD) in its plenary session. With the adoption of the Directive, soil is finally receiving the attention it deserves, as it already does with water and air, because "Healthy and resilient soil is essential to ensuring safe and nutritious food and cleaner water for future generations."

On December 5, a review of knowledge and experience in monitoring soil quality, land use, and the remediation of contaminated sites at the national and regional levels will be held, and future perspectives will be discussed in light of the implementation of the new Directive.

Experts from ISPRA, ARPAV, the Veneto Region, and CREA will participate in the event, with presentations comparing European perspectives with the national and regional realities.