News

Monk Seal: Two Sightings in a Few Days

Over the past week, the monk seal, one of the species most at risk of extinction and strictly protected under the Habitats Directive, has been sighted in the waters between the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area and the Site of Community Interest of the Island of Capri.

ISPRA and the AMP Punta Campanella have started a collaboration to monitor their presence through non-invasive techniques, starting with environmental DNA analysis. The main cause of the reduction in the monk seal population is attributed to voluntary killing by humans and accidental capture with some fishing gear. But also to the repeated disturbance due to excessive human proximity to the places where they rest or where they reproduce and care for their young along the coast, which pushes the animals to abandon the most suitable sites. Understanding which sites they frequent most is of crucial importance to implement conservation actions and ensure the survival of the species.

Finance, Business and Institutions: From Ambition to Action, the First Nature Strategies

On May 20, during the week of the International Day for Biodiversity proclaimed by the United Nations, the national event “Finance, businesses and institutions: from ambition to action, the first Nature Strategies” returns to Milan.

The event is promoted within the Business for Biodiversity Italy network, an initiative that guides businesses towards truly sustainable development models, placing biodiversity at the center of corporate strategies.

XXXII National Congress INU

The XXXII National Congress is intended as a decisive moment of discussion for the future of urban planning in Italy. The key theme will be the “Useful Plan”, a concept that recalls the urgency of rethinking urban planning tools in light of the concrete needs of communities and emerging global challenges.

Sinkholes and Underground Cavities in the Municipality of Ardea

Presentation of the first results of the research activities of the PNNR GeoSciences -IR - WP3.2 project

The project, led by ISPRA in collaboration with the University of Tuscia and the Association "Sotterranei di Roma", aims to carry out a census of underground cavities present in the urban subsoil, with the aim of mitigating the risk associated with sinkholes (sudden sinkholes on the surface).

Parties conferences of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

The Parties conferences of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COP) will be held in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May. These are the three major multilateral environmental agreements that have as their common goal the protection of human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and waste.

Energy efficiency strategies and advantages for SMEs

A meeting designed for Small and Medium Enterprises that will discuss how to improve corporate energy efficiency, identify and reduce waste, adopt strategies to optimize consumption and take advantage of available incentives. Environmental certifications will also be explored and concrete examples of companies that have already adopted effective solutions to improve their competitiveness and sustainability will be shared.

“…also in the interest of future generations”. Historical sources for the knowledge of environmental risk

On Friday 9 May 2025, a conference will be held in the Conference Hall of the Central State Archives on the topic of historical sources for environmental risk, both those held in the Central State Archives and in other important research institutes. The event, whose title recalls art. 9 of the Constitution, which states that the Republic “protects the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems, also in the interest of future generations”, aims to be the first in a series of events dedicated to knowledge and protection of the environment.

#ObiettivoNatura:a shot to tell biodiversity!

The new photography column #ObiettivoNatura is starting on our Instagram profile @ispra_ambiente, an initiative designed to tell the story of the relationship between humans and the environment through the community's shots.

Every month will be proposed a different theme, to explore - with the watchful eye of photography - biodiversity and its many expressions, even in the most unexpected contexts.

The goal is to stimulate a conscious look at what surrounds us and enhance the bond with nature, in all its forms.

Participating is simple: go to our Instagram profile @ispra_ambiente, search for the post with the theme of the month and send us your photos via direct message.

The most beautiful images will be republished on our social channels.

Visit our profile Instagram

The biodiversity of the “Sentiero del bosco” mapped by students

Concluded the third edition of the Path for Transversal Skills and Orientation (PCTO) "Let's build a WebApp for monitoring species in the territory" promoted by the National Network for Biodiversity of ISPRA has concluded.

VI Summer School of Geomorphology, Ecology and Biology in marine and insular environments

The Summer School of Geomorphology, Ecology and Biology in Marine and Insular Environments was created with the aim of providing advanced training and scientific updating to master's students, doctoral students, researchers and technicians working in the environmental sector. The multidisciplinary training offer is developed through lectures and practical exercises, in the various themes of geological, biological and natural sciences applied to the coastal marine environment. Particular attention will be given to the new technologies used in the study of these ecosystems, characterized by high vulnerability and strongly influenced by the effects of climate change, given their position on the border between the marine and continental domains.

Condolences from ISPRA and SNPA for the passing of Pope Francis

The passing of Pope Francis represents a profound loss not only for those who deal with the environment, but more generally for our time. His teaching, not only spiritual but also cultural and social, has been able to guide and orient the global debate on issues that are crucial for the future of the planet.

With extraordinary clarity and determination, the Pope has drawn the world's attention to the need to take care of our common home, underlining the link between environmental protection, social justice and intergenerational responsibility. His vision of integral ecology has represented for ISPRA and for the entire National System for Environmental Protection an important reference and an invitation to combine data and scientific knowledge with a broader reflection on the development model, on rights and on inequalities, always with an eye on the most fragile and those most exposed to the effects of climate change. His reflections will continue to guide our commitment to a healthier, fairer and more inclusive environment.

Project APINCITTA'

The APINCITTA’ biomonitoring project uses the Apis mellifera (honey bee) as an environmental indicator.

Promoted, financed and coordinated by the Carabinieri Forestry, Environmental and Agri-food Unit Command (CUFA), it sees the presence of ISPRA, other national institutions (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, CREA and IZSLT and the Italian Beekeeping Federation association.

Started in 2023, the deadline is scheduled for 2026. The project includes 60 apiaries, distributed across the national territory and located mainly at the headquarters and facilities of the forestry carabinieri.

World Earth Day

April 22 is theWorld Earth Day, an opportunity to raise awareness among citizens, companies and institutions about the importance of protecting our planet. This event, now in its 55th edition, has as its main objective to promote concrete actions to combat climate change, reduce pollution and protect natural resources.

Italicus second edition

The wolf in Italy, between conservation and coexistence

Two round tables dedicated to the most fascinating and controversial Italian predator, a day to get to know it, exploring together with experts, breeders, professionals and Associations the many aspects that involve conservation and coexistence.

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’s ‘Nautilus’ Discovers Coral Forests Among the Submerged Mountains of the Mediterranean

The images returned by the ROV revealed breathtaking scenarios: extensive colonies of red coral (Corallium rubrum) up to 900 meters deep, dense forests of pen corals (Funiculina quadrangularis) between 100 and 140 meters, and a surprising benthic biodiversity, with the presence of black corals (Antipathes dichotoma, Leiopathes glaberrima), white corals (Madrepora oculata, Desmophyllum pertusum), sponges and banks of oysters and giant barnacles.

PCTO "Climate change: understand to act" concluded

The PCTO "Climate change: understand to act" ended on Friday, April 11th. The students of the 5 BIO of the Istituto Superiore “Carducci-Volta-Pacinotti” of Piombino were able to observe the impact of climate change on the coast between Pisa and Livorno, the effects of the increase in extreme events on coastal morphology and to reflect on the costs, not only economic, of these episodes. The comparison between the highly anthropized stretches of coast and those where a healthy dune system is still present, allowed us to understand how in many cases human protection interventions do not have the same strength as healthy natural systems. The students then presented the product developed during the PCTO with the aim of raising awareness among their peers on the topic of climate change, trying to draw attention to what is really happening around us.

The value of Italian style between the culture of good living and food

"Food safety means offering everyone healthy and nutritious food" said ISPRA Director General Maria Siclari, speaking today at the conference organized on the occasion of the National Made in Italy Day. "It is also necessary to ensure compliance with specific health and hygiene requirements to prevent certain diseases from passing from food to people, also ensuring that everyone has sufficient quantities of food. With our qualified staff, we are on the front line in monitoring risks for the population and ecosystems. For this reason, we believe we can make a significant contribution to strengthening environmental sustainability through a One Health approach, also thanks to the projects and resources linked to the PNRR" declared the Director General

Biodiversa 2025. Italy's parks tell their story

A trip in the Geoparks

An event that celebrates the beauty and value of Italian geodiversity, promoted by the Alta Murgia National Park Authority.
“The Journey to Geoparks” is the title of this second edition: between landscapes sculpted by time, biodiversity and ancient traditions, Biodiversa will take us on a journey through the history of the Earth, to discover wonderful places and the excellences they preserve. Three days of meetings, exhibitions, workshops and tastings to discover Italian Geoparks as places of protection, environmental education and sustainable development of local communities.

EPA Network 43rd Plenary Meeting

At the 43rd plenary meeting of the EPA Network held today in Vienna, the Agencies of the Member States have once again raised the topic of discussion of artificial intelligence, in order to identify its potential benefits in carrying out environmental monitoring and control activities but also its possible risks. To this end, the heads of the Agencies have decided, on the proposal of ISPRA President Stefano Laporta, to establish a specific working group (Interest Group) on the topic, in order to facilitate discussion and the exchange of experiences on the possible concrete applications of AI on environmental issues.

ISPRA’s ‘Nautilus’ among the submerged mountains of the Mediterranean: the robot explores the depths up to 2,000 meters

The first oceanographic expedition of the PNRR MER project has been completed: new discoveries for the protection of biodiversity, geological research and seismic risk assessment

Like Jules Verne’s legendary Nautilus, capable of reaching the unknown depths of the ocean, ISPRA has conducted an unprecedented exploration of the submerged mountains of the Mediterranean. Thanks to a sophisticated ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Work Class, a true ‘robotic vehicle’ capable of operating up to 2,000 metres deep, researchers have mapped ecosystems never studied before, revealing extraordinary scenarios and new species in the coral and sponge forests that populate the abyss. “The possibility of directly observing these ecosystems with high-definition cameras completely changes our perspective on life in the deep sea. The thrill of discovering intact habitats is comparable to that of the first explorers: we think we know what to expect but each dive, on the contrary, reserves unexpected surprises” explain the ISPRA researchers.

The expedition: two months of exploration in the Strait of Sicily

The first oceanographic campaign, part of the PNRR Marine Ecosystem Restoration (MER) project – Intervention A14 Seamounts, dedicated to the large-scale mapping of 79 underwater mountains located beyond 12 miles from the Italian coast at a depth of between 150 and 2000 meters, has thus been successfully concluded. On board an oceanographic vessel, the ISPRA team, ploughing through the Strait of Sicily, documented eleven banks (i.e. layers of various material) and underwater mountains, including Alfil-Linosa III, Avventura-Pantelleria-Talbot, Bannock, Bouri, Euridice, Madrepore, Pantelleria Centrale, Pinne and Urania, Cimotoe and Empedocle, most of which had never been explored and studied before, collecting crucial data for the conservation of biodiversity and the assessment of geological risks.

The Ornamental Stones of the Basilica of St. Paul Fuori le Mura

Inside the activities of Science Festival of Rome ISPRA offers a guided tour of the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura. Completely rebuilt after the fire of 1823, the Basilica is famous for the richness and variety of its ornamental stones. The tour will allow you to admire the different types of stones, appreciating their excellent quality, historical value and aesthetic contribution which, together, create an environment of extraordinary beauty and solemnity.

Memorandum of Understanding between ISPRA and the Po River Basin Authority to deepen the hydrogeological knowledge of the territory

The President of ISPRA Stefano Laporta and the Secretary General of the Po River District Basin Authority Alessandro Bratti have signed a memorandum of understanding, lasting five years. The collaboration, aimed at deepening and experimenting with scientifically complex issues in the Po River district, also includes actions necessary for an effective use of resources and for the subsequent adoption of a shared strategy, within the scope of the respective institutional competences.

Towards the new European Directive on air quality: dialogue and synergies between research infrastructures, local authorities and environmental agencies

The event is intended as a moment of discussion on how the research infrastructures present on the national territory can support the implementation of the new European Directive on air quality and the 'automatic' analysis of the new parameters.

The event will see the involvement of ISPRA and the various Arpa as interlocutors of this event, which through round tables aims to promote a real and interactive comparison with the system of Agencies.

Actions with the European agencies managing the Copernicus Services and the SpazioCulturale hackathon - challenge for young talents

As part of the All Digital Weeks, the Stati Generali dell’Innovazione, the national coordinator of this campaign, as well as an expression of the National Forum of Copernicus Users (FNUC) for the Third Sector community, together with ISPRA and FNUC, propose an interesting webinar entitled “Actions with the European agencies managing the Copernicus Services and the SpazioCulturale hackathon - a challenge for young talents” as a contribution to the theme “ADW 2025: Digital skills for employment, entrepreneurship and innovation”.

Security, nature protection & development: the evolution of European agriculture

The event will explore how agricultural policies in the EU can address challenges related to sustainability, environment and food security, with the support of the European Green Deal. The evolution of the CAP towards greener practices and the importance of models such as agriculture and agroecology to balance economy and nature will be discussed.

Comparison on the implementation of the National Guidelines for the conservation of Mediterranean trout and its habitat

On April 8, a meeting planned by the LIFE STREAMS Project will take place at the “Catasta Pollino” Center in Morano Calabro (CS), in the Pollino National Park Authority, to verify the implementation of the Guidelines for the conservation of Mediterranean trout and its habitat (Action C.5 – ISPRA Manuals and Guidelines 207/2024), in person or online.

Impatta Disrupt Italian Innovability Festival

"In a situation of water scarcity and stress, the problems related to the concurrent use of the resource increase and, therefore, in a broad-spectrum strategic planning vision, it is extremely necessary not only to evaluate the current state and trends, knowing almost in real time how much water we have, how much we withdraw and how much we return to the water bodies, but also to work on forecasts and future scenarios from the short to medium-long term" said ISPRA General Director Maria Siclari who spoke today at the conference C'è solo un futuro ed è sostenibile organized as part of Earth Day Italia.

"Our country has chosen to include environment and biodiversity in the Constitution, this also shows us that sustainability is the only possible direction to follow" said ISPRA President Stefano Laporta. "Health, well-being, work and the environment are linked by a "green" thread and there is no longer room for less than virtuous behavior towards the environment and natural resources, aware that we are in a crucial moment: climate change, scarcity of water resources, hydrogeological instability, the data that ISPRA monitoring gives us tell us that it is urgent to intervene. A different future is possible, but only if we know how to live it together. Change needs institutions and businesses, schools and research and each of us" declared President Laporta

The Festival, organized as part of Earth Day Italy, celebrates the World Day of Creativity and Innovation, established by the United Nations for a faster achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Political, economic and financial decision-makers meet with civil society and the media to discuss how to fully express the extraordinary Italian potential in the field of innovation to achieve that “green renaissance” to which history forcefully calls us.

The state of remediation of contaminated sites in Italy: third report on regional data

ISPRA has published the third report on remediation of contaminated sites in Italy where is presented data on administrative and technical procedures updated to 31/12/2021 based on data provided by the Regions/Autonomous Provinces/Environmental Protection Agencies as part of the 2022 population of MOSAICO, the national database on remediation procedures.

The Land is over. Uses, reuses and abuses of the soil

The Department of Political Sciences of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" is organizing the conference on April 4th in Caserta "The Land is over. Uses, reuses and abuses of the soil".

Michele Munafò, Head of the Service for the National Environmental Information System of ISPRA, will participate at the conference.