Events and News

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.

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.

World Soil Day 2025

The World Soil Day is celebrated the 5th december, established by the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly to draw attention to the crucial importance of this vital resource. The theme chosen for the 2025 edition is "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities," which emphasizes the essential link between soil quality and the well-being of urban populations.

Beneath asphalt, buildings, and roads lies soil that, when permeable and vegetated, helps absorb rainwater, regulate temperature, store carbon, and improve air quality. But when sealed with concrete, it loses these functions, making cities more vulnerable to flooding, global warming, and pollution.

Therefore, this day invites everyone, from politicians to citizens, to rethink urban spaces from the ground up, to build greener, more resilient, and healthier cities.

Calita Landslide: Experimental and Numerical Analysis for the Study of the Triggering Mechanism

ISPRA technologists, in collaboration with technicians from the Territorial Safety and Civil Protection Agency of the Emilia-Romagna Region and the River Po District Basin Authority, describe in this video the experience gained during the study of the Calita landslide (Reggio Emilia). The landslide covers an area of over 900,000 square meters and extends longitudinally for about 2 kilometers. The type of landslide movement is classified as “complex,” as it consists of a roto-translational rock slide that evolves into an earth flow.

During the study, results were produced regarding monitoring activities, as well as geological and geotechnical modeling, including laboratory tests carried out in the Institute’s facilities. The results of these studies were used to evaluate the triggering causes, kinematics, and propagation of the landslide movement. These insights are shared in this video

Webinar "GSEU" project

Geothermal Energy: Pan-European Characterization and Inventory; CRM Assessment and Management: Towards a European International Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Resource Management (ICE-SRM EU)

The specific objectives of the Geological Service for Europe Project are to develop harmonized pan-European data and information services across Europe, with particular focus on: critical raw materials; geothermal energy resources and subsurface storage capacity for sustainable energy carriers and CO₂ sequestration; groundwater dynamics and quality; geological and climate change information for coastal vulnerability assessment; and basic geological information.

The Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive has been published and approved by the European Parliament.

After a long and demanding preparation process, the European Parliament approved the Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience on October 23, which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on November 26.

The Directive allows the beginning of the construction of a common framework for monitoring soil health in Europe, with the aim of improving soil resilience through sustainable management, combating soil consumption, and managing contaminated sites, with the ultimate goal of achieving a good level of soil health in the EU by 2050.

The Directive is based on the understanding that globally healthy soils are the foundation for the availability of 95% of the food we consume, host over 25% of the world’s biodiversity, and constitute the largest carbon reservoir on the planet. Increasing negative pressures are leading to the rapid degradation of soils, disregarding the fact that soil is a limited resource that requires recovery efforts. In the European Union, it is estimated that over 60% of soils are not in good condition.

CARG Project: Italy’s 1:50,000 Cartography Continues to Evolve

A press conference dedicated to the official presentation of the Geological Sheets of Sciacca, Brescia, and Taranto—produced within the framework of the CARG Project, the Geological Map of Italy at a 1:50,000 scale coordinated by ISPRA—will take place on Friday, 21 November at the Senate of the Republic.

Rome: stories of stones, quarries, and ingenious visionaries

As part of the "Scuola Aperta" project, promoted by the City of Rome, students from the "Via Santi Savarino" Comprehensive Institute have created an ecomuseum dedicated to the geological history of the area and the sense of belonging to places.
This innovative educational program enhances the relationship between nature, culture, and collective memory, demonstrating how geology can become a narrative, an identity, and an active citizenship.

The National Geodatabase of Artificial Cavities

Artificial cavity databases as a knowledge and documentation tool aimed at risk mitigation

ISPRA, in collaboration with the Italian Speleological Society, has created the National Geodatabase of Artificial Cavities (GNCA), accessible on the National Environmental Information System (SINA) portal.

The GNCA is a database containing the locations, data and documentation, plans, cross-sections, and inspection reports relating to artificial cavities surveyed throughout Italy. The data comes from the Italian Speleological Society database and various datasets developed by ISPRA as part of specific studies and projects.

When the Earth Reveals History: Cavities and Sinkholes in the Appian Way Park

The initiative, organized by the Appia Antica Regional Park Authority in collaboration with ISPRA and the Order of Geologists of Lazio, aims to present the initial results of the ISPRA–Appia Antica Regional Park Agreement, dedicated to the study and monitoring of underground cavities and sinkhole phenomena within the Park.

ISPRA at the China-Italy Science, Technology and Innovation Week

Boosting Innovation, Building a Sustainable Future Together

The 14th edition of the Italy-China Week of Science, Technology and Innovation opened today in Beijing, under the theme “Boosting Innovation, Building a Sustainable Future Together.” The initiative, in which ISPRA is participating, takes place alternately in Italy and China and continues to serve as a key event for the joint promotion of scientific research, technology transfer, and sustainable development. This edition also marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

22nd Edition of Urbanpromo

As part of the 22nd edition of Urbanpromo – Projects for the Country, held in Florence from November 11 to 14, 2025, Michele Munafò, Head of the National Environmental Information System Service at ISPRA, will participate in two conferences: Toward the 2026 Territorial Report: Visions, Knowledge, and Interpretations in Urban Planning and Policies and Environment, Innovation, and Territorial Economy

The Role of Geosciences: From Basic Knowledge to Satellite Data to AI for the Country's Sustainable Future

ISPRA, in collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), will participate in the "OrientaTalenti 2025" event, scheduled for November 6 and 7, 2025, at MIND – Milano Innovation District, the innovation hub located in the former Expo Milano area.

Promoted by OrientaTalenti, the event is dedicated to students and aims to foster connections between the worlds of education, scientific research, and institutions, offering young people the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of the professions of the future and the skills required by the ecological and digital transition.

During the event, ISPRA will offer a thematic session entitled "The Role of Geosciences: From Basic Knowledge to Satellite Data to AI for the Country's Sustainable Future," which will be held on Friday, November 7, from 1:45 PM to 3:00 PM, at MIND (Valore Italia headquarters, Sala Platino 1P).

ISPRA in Ecomondo 2025

From November 4th to 7th, Rimini Fiera will host Ecomondo, the international trade fair that spotlights the circular economy, the green economy, and the blue economy, bringing together companies, researchers, and institutions for global dialogue. The event is divided into seven thematic macro-areas, each dedicated to a key aspect of the ecological transition. In addition to the areas and districts to explore, sustainability professionals and stakeholders can delve deeper into the key themes of the ecological transition by attending the numerous scheduled conferences.

The Geological Map of Italy at a scale of 1,50,000: Sheet No. 493 Taranto

The event, organized by ASSET in collaboration with ISPRA and the Department of Earth and Geoenvironmental Sciences of the University of Bari, will showcase the results of a project of national interest and promote geological knowledge as an essential tool for informed territorial planning, supporting responsible, resilient, and low-impact interventions.

Critical Raw Materials and Projects of National Strategic Interest: Innovations Needed for Sustainability and Development from Mineral Extraction to Processing

The event will provide a high-level discussion on the state of the mining sector in light of the new EU Regulation 2024/1252 and Decree-Law 84/2024, which establish the updated procedures for mining projects of national strategic interest.

Experts from academia, industry, and public institutions will discuss European mining autonomy, the valorization of national resources, environmental sustainability, social acceptability, and industrial circularity through the recovery of mining waste.

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

Presentation of the Report "Land Consumption, Territorial Dynamics, and Ecosystem Services" - 2025 Edition

The 2025 edition of the Report "Land Consumption, Territorial Dynamics, and Ecosystem Services" will be presented on October 24th. This report is edited by the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA), which monitors land use and land consumption. The Report, along with the maps and indicator databases available for each Italian municipality, compiled by ISPRA and SNPA, provides an updated picture of land cover transformation processes and allows for the assessment of land degradation and the impact of land consumption, urbanization, and infrastructure on the landscape and ecosystem services.
The winning images of the Photo Contest 2025 will be presented during the presentation of the Report.

Consumo di suolo, dinamiche territoriali e servizi ecosistemici. Edizione 2025

Syhthesis

Regional data 

Main data at regional, provincial and municipalities level

Press release (ita)

Infographic

Program

Land reclamation and land conservation: the role of public bodies and private operators

In line with its objectives and continuing its study of remediation for the remediation and recovery of degraded areas and contaminated sites, CeRAR pays particular attention to analyzing how remediation relates, in technical and regulatory terms, to the issues of land consumption containment and urban regeneration. This conference is dedicated to this analysis, also considering the priority role these two issues are recognized for, within the context of the ecological transition, both at the European and national levels. The presentations and roundtable discussions aim to provide useful answers and concrete recommendations, also in light of the data and results of experiences carried out in various territorial contexts, highlighting the essential role of public bodies and private operators.

European Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience Approved

After a long and arduous preparatory process, the European Parliament today approved the Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive. The Directive begins building a common framework for monitoring soil health in Europe, with the aim of improving soil resilience through sustainable soil management, combating land take, and managing contaminated sites.

Towards a European framework for soil quality and remediation

Soil health is defined as "the physical, chemical, and biological condition of soil that determines its ability to function as a viable living system and provide ecosystem services."

Currently, over 60% of European soils are not in good condition, showing a progressive deterioration that leads to economic losses estimated at approximately €50 billion per year.

This situation has made the adoption of common policies and effective tools for soil protection urgent. In this regard, on September 29, the European Council adopted the new Soil Monitoring Directive (now awaiting approval by the European Parliament) with the goal of ensuring healthy soils by 2050. Member States will have three years from the entry into force of the directive to implement it into their respective legislation and establish a monitoring system compliant with a shared European methodology.

During the meeting, the main innovations introduced by the directive will be presented and its concrete effects on public policies and activities related to soil management will be analyzed.

Presentation of Sheet 121 Brescia of the Geological Map of Italy

The Sheet 121 "Brescia" was produced under an agreement between the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), the Lombardy Region, and the Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering of the National Research Council (CNR-IGAG), in collaboration with the Civic Museum of Natural Sciences of Brescia and the "Ardito Desio" Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Milan.

The sheet includes a 1:50,000 geological map with four sections, a 1:50,000/1:100,000 subsurface geological sheet with one section, explanatory notes for the map with five appendices, a 1:25,000 database, and a 3D digital geological model.

ADI Design Index 2025: ISPRA's IdroGeo national platform selected

The IdroGEO National Platform has been selected for the ADI Design Index 2025 in the Service Design category. The selection, made by the Permanent Design Observatory of ADI (Association for Industrial Design), aims to convey the complexity and richness of contemporary Italian design, intertwining languages, materials, and design visions.
The presentation of the selected projects was held on October 15, 2025, at the ADI Design Museum Compasso d'Oro in Milan.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is celebrated on October 13.
The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989.
The objective of establishing this day is to send an important message to the governments of all countries around the world, as well as to international organizations and the global population, to reflect on the ever-increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters.

Among the institutional tasks of ISPRA is the collection, processing, and dissemination of maps and data on hydrogeological instability for the entire national territory, making them available to the country for risk prevention and mitigation.

Geodiversity and geological heritage in urban areas

October 6th marks UNESCO's Geodiversity Day, an essential expression and component of natural heritage and a key element for understanding the geological processes that shape the landscape.

Knowledge and promotion of geological heritage also play a strategic role in urban environments, both as a parameter for risk assessment and as a source of valuable cultural, educational, and environmental resources.

The conference aims to promote an interdisciplinary dialogue aimed at recognizing and integrating geodiversity into urban contexts, contributing to a broader reflection on conservation, spatial planning, and land development policies.

XIII Edition of Planet Earth Week

Earth Week is a science festival that, since 2012, has annually transformed Italy into a stage for science and nature, with the aim of spreading knowledge of the geosciences and raising public awareness of the value of our geological, environmental, and cultural heritage.

The 13th edition of Earth Week will take place from October 5th to 12th, an event that will involve ISPRA researchers in an intense scientific outreach program. The initiative will offer the opportunity to explore the complex connection between geology, the sea, biodiversity, and our country's historical and cultural heritage, highlighting the fundamental role of public outreach in understanding and sustainably managing our environment.

A geodiversity discovery tour of some geosites in the Maiella Geopark

ISPRA, in collaboration with Maiella Global Geopark UNESCO, is organizing an excursion on October 4th to celebrate UNESCO's International Geodiversity Day.

International Geodiversity Day is celebrated worldwide on October 6th, promoting the many aspects of geological diversity.
This year's theme is "One Earth, Many Stories."

The day will be celebrated in the geopark on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Animals, Plants, Rocks and Minerals: The ISPRA Collections > A Multispecies Museum

On Friday, October 3rd, the MUCIV – Museum of Civilizations in Rome presents the new permanent display of the paleontological and litho-mineralogical collections of ISPRA – the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research – alongside the solo exhibition Elisa Montessori. The Dream of the Red Room, an unprecedented dialogue between a selection of MUCIV’s Chinese collections and the work of one of Italy’s leading contemporary artists.

Organized in collaboration between ISPRA – Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research – and MUCIV – Museum of Civilizations in Rome, with the support of ALES – Arte Lavoro e Servizi S.p.A., an in-house company of the Italian Ministry of Culture, the project for the new permanent exhibition – Animals, Plants, Rocks and Minerals: The ISPRA Collections > A Multispecies Museum – represents the culmination of a process launched in 2022. This process involved the study, restoration, and renewed presentation to the public of collections of extraordinary historical and scientific value.

Comprising more than 150,000 specimens (fossilized animals and plants, rock and mineral samples, geological surveys, scientific instruments, busts, portraits, memorabilia, and archival documentation), the ISPRA collections reflect the work of the Italian Geological Survey and its scholars, who, in line with 19th-century thought, assigned science an essential role in the development of the modern national industry, placing humankind and its control over the environment at the center of complex and long-term processes.