News

Public Consultation on the “Guidelines for the Preparation of the Environmental Monitoring Plan for Projects Subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedure”

Public Consultation on the “Guidelines for the Preparation of the Environmental Monitoring Plan for Projects Subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedure”

Start of consultation: 13 March 2026
Deadline for submission of contributions: 13 April 2026

Law No. 132/2016, which established the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA), identifies among its institutional functions the monitoring of environmental effects associated with the implementation of infrastructure projects of national and local interest.

For the implementation of the projects listed in Part II of Legislative Decree 152/2006 and subsequent amendments, project proposals must undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure through the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). This study includes the Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) for the potentially significant and negative environmental impacts deriving from the construction and operation of the project.

In accordance with Article 28 of Legislative D

Winter School "Green blue spaces for urban and planetary health"

ARPA Emilia-Romagna, in collaboration with Fondazione Flaminia and Alma Tu, is promoting the "Green & Blue Space for Urban and Planetary Health" course from March 16 to 30, 2026. Participation is free and online, for a total of 30 hours.
Topics covered include: Urban and Planetary Health, Pollution, Climate Change, and Vulnerability, Green and Blue Areas as Nature-Based Solutions, "Allying" Plants and Problematic Species, Co-benefits for Mental Health, Aging, and Chronic Diseases, and Participatory Design for Healthy and Resilient Cities.

Inauguration of the Newly Appointed President of the Ecolabel and Ecoaudit Committee

On 23 February, Prof. Armando Masucci was officially appointed President of the Ecolabel and Ecoaudit Committee by decree of the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Hon. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, in agreement with the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Sen. Adolfo Urso.

The Communicating Brain: The Secret of Connections

The Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS is taking part in Brain Awareness Week, the international event promoted by the DANA Foundation. From 16 to 21 March, a series of free meetings open to the public will be held to help people learn how to take care of our most important organ.

Among the initiatives organized, on Saturday, 21 March, in Rome, at the European Brain Research Centre, the conference “The Communicating Brain: The Secret of Connections” will take place. The event is organized by the Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS in collaboration with ISPRA and SPERA

Fifth Appointment of “Voce all’Ambiente”

International Cooperation to Protect the Mare Nostrum: the Role of the INFO/RAC Centre — Interview with Lorenza Babbini, ISPRA Researcher

The Mediterranean Sea is relatively small when compared with the world’s oceans. Yet its shores are bordered by three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia. For millennia it has been a meeting point of cultures, peoples and economies—and above all a place of extraordinary biodiversity.

For this very reason, its protection requires complex environmental governance and strong cooperation among countries. We discuss these issues with Lorenza Babbini, Director of the Regional Activity Centre for Information and Communication – INFO/RAC, hosted by ISPRA

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.

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.

Water Resources and Resilience: Towards the Fourth Water Management Cycle

The conference "Water Resources and Resilience. Towards the Fourth Cycle of Water Management," sponsored by the Ministry and ISPRA, will be held at MASE on Friday, March 13. In a rapidly evolving climate, the conference focuses on water resource governance as a strategic priority for environmental protection and sustainable development, looking ahead to the fourth planning cycle in the sector.

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.

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.

Hackathon “Environmental Intelligence for Cultural Heritage and Health”: ISPRA at the forefront of innovation for Cultural Heritage and Health using Copernicus data

ISPRA is promoting a new edition of the international Hackathon “Environmental Intelligence for Cultural Heritage and Health”. The event is organized in close collaboration with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Copernicus National User Forum, and will take place from 8 to 10 May 2026 at the ECMWF Data Centre, located at the Bologna Technopole.

European Ocean Days 2026 - The Role of Data in Ocean Health

On 3 March in Brussels, as part of the European Ocean Days 2026, the session “Marine Knowledge for Ocean Health” took place, focusing on the role of ocean observations and marine data in supporting the protection of marine ecosystems.

For ISPRA, researcher Francesca Catini took part in the “Ocean Observation” panel, which was dedicated to the governance and coordination of ocean observation systems in Europe. 

Pollen Monitoring in Italy: Insights from the CAMS NCP Survey

Every spring, millions of people in Italy have to deal with allergies and respiratory disorders related to the presence of pollen in the air. But how well known and adequate are the tools currently available? And which information is truly useful for those conducting research, those involved in public health prevention, or those who manage allergenic risk on a daily basis?

To answer these questions, a national survey targeting the community of pollen data users was carried out within the framework of the CAMS National Collaboration Programme Italy—an initiative launched by ISPRA in collaboration with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

EcoAtl@ante: the StoryMap “The Washington Convention (CITES) and Forensic Genetics” is now online

The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known by the acronym CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), is an international agreement established in 1973 in Washington, D.C.

Its main objective is to ensure that the international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species involved.

The new EcoAtl@anteStoryMap presents data and information on the distribution of samples analyzed for CITES, covering the period from 1995 to the present.

The Conservation Genetics Unit of ISPRA carries out genetic analyses to verify legal captive breeding through biomolecular testing. Over the years, highly efficient analytical protocols have been developed and specifically tailored for each CITES species subjected to biomolecular analyses. ISPRA manages a biobank containing over 20,000 biological samples belonging to approximately 200 different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

KEY - The Energy Transition Expo 2026

KEY – The Energy Transition Expo is the leading European trade fair dedicated to the energy transition, technologies, services, and integrated solutions for renewable energy and energy efficiency. It takes place from 4 to 6 March at the Rimini Expo Centre.

The energy transition is a key element in the path toward a sustainable future, and KEY has developed seven interconnected thematic areas: photovoltaics, wind energy, storage, energy efficiency, electric mobility, sustainable cities, and the Innovation District.

On 5 March, ISPRA President Maria Alessandra Gallone will speak at the event “Good news, bad news, fake news: renewables between narrative and reality”.

ISPRA is present at the exhibition with a stand where, on 6 March, two events dedicated to the PNRR Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project and one on New Energy for Tomorrow’s Jobs will take place.

The issue of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear and its impact on marine ecosystems was the focus of a meeting held on 4 March, featuring the Strong Sea Life project, coordinated by ISPRA. The event highlighted the close link between marine conservation, the circular economy, and the ecological transition.

Fourth Episode of Voce all’Ambiente

Alien Species in the Tiber: The “Zebra Mussel” – Interview with Roberto Crosti, ISPRA Researcher

In the fourth episode, we will travel along the course of the Tiber River to discover a story that is both curious and scientific. We will talk about freshwater molluscs, alien species, and citizen science. We will do so by following the traces of an alien and invasive protagonist: the zebra mussel.

The episode will feature Roberto Crosti, scientific coordinator of a citizen science project aimed at engaging the public in freshwater conservation issues through the collection of information on the presence and distribution of molluscs along the river, with the title: #Tevere molluschi fantastici….e dove trovarli".

The Guardian of the Coastal Dunes: The Conservation of the Kentish Plover Tells the Story of the Health of Mediterranean Coasts

In order to stop the rapid decline of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), the Life ALEXANDRO project has just been launched. It is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme and aims to protect the species while promoting a sustainable model for coastal management. Classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Italian vertebrates, the Kentish plover has declined from more than 1,300 estimated breeding pairs in 2004 to about 500 in 2023, mainly due to tourism pressure and the loss of dune habitats.

The project involves 10 Italian regions and the Croatian region of Zadar, covering a total of about 400 km of coastline. Planned actions include nest protection, monitoring, habitat restoration, and dialogue with public authorities and beach tourism operators. ISPRA will play a central role: it will coordinate concrete conservation actions, develop research activities to identify the most suitable nesting areas at the national scale, and prepare Guidelines for the protection of the species.

Who protects pollinators in Italy? First meeting of the LIFE PolliNetwork National Stakeholder Platform

The first map of institutional, scientific, economic, and social actors engaged in pollinator protection in Italy is now ready: 258 stakeholders have been identified as part of the PolliNetwork project.

In recent days, the first meeting of the Stakeholder Platform promoted within the LIFE PolliNetwork project and coordinated by WWF Italy took place. The technical meeting marked the first official opportunity for discussion with a broad and diverse audience composed of 116 representatives from around 70 organizations, including public bodies, institutions, universities, infrastructure managers, agricultural organizations, associations, and other entities interested in the protection of pollinating insects in Italy and involved in the restoration and management of the natural habitats where bees, butterflies, and hoverflies live.

Good news, bad news, fake news: renewables between narrative and reality

In a context marked by strong geopolitical pressures and an increasingly polarized debate, the event aims to explore the gap between the narrative and the reality of the energy transition, bringing together representatives from the media and industry operators.

The meeting will be structured into two panels: the first featuring specialized journalists, to analyze the media portrayal of renewables and the tools to counter misinformation; the second with industry operators, to take stock of the current state of renewables and the progress of the green transition.

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.

World Recycling Day

March 18 is World Recycling Day, an initiative aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of recycling and the responsible use of resources, promoting practices that reduce energy consumption, improve the quality of the water and air we breathe, and combat climate change.

ISPRA has recently updated its Environmental Indicators Database. In the “Circular Economy” section, indicators are collected to monitor the transition toward a circular economic model in which materials are used, recycled, and reused as much as possible.

With a focus on food waste and separate waste collection, ISPRA and the Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy are promoting the “Facciamo Circolare” campaign.

Microplastics: How Much Do We Know?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, conventionally defined as being smaller than 5 millimeters in size. They represent a potential threat to global health according to the One Health paradigm.

The BioPlast4Safe Project promotes the study of the characteristics, fate, and potential toxicological and ecotoxicological effects of plastics, with a specific focus on biodegradable polymers as a potential strategy to mitigate plastic pollution, in a from science to action perspective.

ISPRA is a partner of the Project

Film Lab at the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano

Pianeta Mare Film Festival

A five-day Film Lab dedicated to the sea, climate change, and biodiversity.

The “Pianeta Mare Film Lab” on biodiversity will return in 2026. It will take place from April 20 to 24 at the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano in Rome.

The initiative represents an extraordinary stage of the “Pianeta Mare Film Lab 2026” Tour of Italy: five-day artistic and educational residencies dedicated to students under 30, focused on the themes of the sea, climate change, and biodiversity. During the Film Lab, with the artistic residency hosted within the Estate, participants will have the opportunity to conceive and develop stories, experimenting with innovative smartphone filming techniques to create short films on the selected themes.

The Presidential Estate of Castelporziano, covering approximately 6,000 hectares, represents a unique site in terms of biodiversity, featuring typical Mediterranean ecosystems: from the sea to inland areas, there are unspoiled beaches, dunes, rich Mediterranean scrub, woodlands, and a wide variety of wildlife species, including wild boars, fallow deer, red deer, roe deer, and wolves.

The Presidential Estate of Castelporziano, together with the CNR and NBFC, ISPRA, Roma Tre University, and the Italian Academy of Sciences (known as the XL), are among the main scientific partners of the Film Lab. Cultural partners also include WWF, Lipu, Legambiente, and Institut Français Italia.

The first number of EMAS Newsletter 2026 is online

News, updates, and best practices from the EMAS world, sharing experiences, tools, and concrete paths toward increasingly sustainable environmental management.

Newsletter (ita)

Maria Alessandra Gallone is the new ISPRA president

Today the official inauguration

Today, Maria Alessandra Gallone officially took office as the new President of the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).

Born in Bergamo in 1966, she holds a degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Bergamo and is a certified teacher. She has gained extensive institutional experience at both local and national levels. She served as a Senator of the Republic for two legislatures and was a member of the Environment Committee, the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Environmental Crimes, the Justice Committee, and the Agriculture Committee. In recent years, she has served as Advisor to the Minister of University and Research and as an expert for the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, contributing to processes aimed at strengthening integration between universities, research, innovation, and local territories.

“I thank the Minister of Environment, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, for the trust he has placed in me by appointing me to this role, which I assume with a deep sense of institutional responsibility. ISPRA is a strategic institute for the country: a scientific authority of the highest level, a technical reference supporting public decision-making, and a cornerstone of the National System for Environmental Protection.

At a historic moment marked by climate change, hydrogeological fragility, water crisis, soil consumption, and the need to protect biodiversity, the contribution of science is essential. Sustainable development is not a slogan: it is a balance that must be built every day, with rigor, competence, and responsibility.

My priority will be to enhance the extraordinary professional expertise within the Institute—technologists, scientists, and researchers—promoting respect for skills and the scientific method, strengthening dialogue with ARPA and APPA, and consolidating a culture of prevention.

Education, accurate information, and transparency are fundamental tools to increase public awareness and support institutions in making the most complex decisions. ISPRA must continue to be an authoritative, independent, and credible point of reference, serving the State and future generations.”*

Silent Plains: 2025 data released on bird populations associated with agricultural environments

The recent 2025 update on the “Common Birds of Agricultural Areas in Italy” produced within the framework of the National CAP Network with the support of Lipu, provides a crucial and concerning snapshot of the health of our countryside. At the center of the study is the Farmland Bird Index (FBI), an aggregated indicator that monitors trends in the populations of species closely associated with agricultural environments.

Third appointment of “Voce all’Ambiente”

GMOs: Opportunity or risk for the environment? Interview with: Valeria Giovannelli, Matteo Lener and Giovanni Staiano, ISPRA researchers

GMOs, an acronym for Genetically Modified Organisms, is a term familiar to many, but whose meaning, implications, and impacts in the environmental, agricultural, and social fields are often not fully understood. Some consider them a danger to the environment and human health, while others see them as a resource for the future of agriculture. But… what exactly are GMOs?

We discuss this with Valeria Giovannelli, Matteo Lener, and Giovanni Staiano, who have been studying genetically modified organisms for years, with particular reference to genetically modified plants and their environmental impacts.

“Educate, communicate, connect”: ISPRA publishes the new report from the Life SIC2SIC project

ISPRA’s new publication is dedicated to the Life SIC2SIC project and is available online in the Environmental Education and Training Notebooks series: “Educate, communicate, connect – The educational format of the Life SIC2SIC project”

The project represents a concrete example of how a well-designed communication strategy can amplify the impact of an environmental plan.

The volume systematizes the extraordinary experience of a bicycle journey of over 5,700 km across the biodiversity of our peninsula, offering an innovative model that combines scientific communication, territorial storytelling, and the protection of the Natura 2000 Network.

Hydromorphological Assessment System, Analysis and Monitoring of Watercourses – IDRAIM

12th National Training Course

ISPRA, with the support of ARPA Piemonte, is organizing the twelfth training course on the assessment of the Morphological Quality Index (MQI) of watercourses, as provided within the IDRAIM system. The course will be held in Turin, at the ARPA Piemonte headquarters, during the week of June 8–12, 2026, and will include alternating classroom instruction and field visits to demonstration river reaches for the application of the method.

The course will take place if the minimum number of 20 participants is reached. Participation requires the payment of a registration fee to cover direct expenses and coffee breaks at the ARPA Piemonte headquarters. Travel expenses (transportation, meals, and accommodation) will be borne by the participants

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.