News

Risk scenarios in the Ibleo territorial system

On June 9 and 10, in Ragusa, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) will hold the event organized to conclude the celebrations for the twenty-fifth anniversary of its establishment.

Two days dedicated to scientific research and protection of the territory organized in a geographical and geological context of extraordinary complexity, the Iblean territory, a hinge between Africa and Europe, characterized by a long geodynamic history that makes it the scene of seismic, erosive and hydrogeological phenomena unique in the Mediterranean.

Geological Map of Italy: Presentation Sheets 245 “Albenga” and 213 “Genova” - Emerged and submerged areas

On June 17, 2025, the presentation of the Geological Map of Italy Sheets 245 “Albenga” and 213 “Genova” - Emerged and Submerged Areas will take place in Genoa. The presentation will be held at the “Liguri nel Mondo” Hall, Liguria Region, Via Fieschi 15 – Genoa.

The creation of Sheets 245 “Albenga” and 213 “Genoa” within the framework of an agreement between ISPRA, Liguria Region, University of Genoa and University of Pavia, represents a further important milestone of the CARG Project.

The geological cartography produced for the emerged and submerged areas and the related databases and explanatory notes contain a wealth of fundamental information, which, also through scientific innovations, constitute a new and updated framework of essential knowledge for all operators, professionals, technicians and politicians who deal with land management.

World Environment Day 2025

The World Environment Day 2025 has been celebrated since 1972 and is the United Nations’ main vehicle for encouraging global awareness and action for the environment.
This year’s theme for World Environment Day is plastic pollution, which permeates every corner of the planet, even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution.
Drawing inspiration from nature and presenting concrete solutions, the campaign will encourage individuals, organizations, industries and governments to adopt sustainable practices that drive systemic change.

This year’s World Environment Day falls exactly two months before countries reconvene to continue negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution.

Every year, approximately 100,000 mammals and one million seabirds die due to entrapment in abandoned fishing nets or after ingesting the fragments they release into the sea. 86% of marine waste found on the seabed is attributable to fishing activities, with a clear prevalence of abandoned, lost or disused fishing lines, ropes and nets (ISPRA data). Ghost nets are therefore one of the most insidious forms of marine pollution.

For this reason, ISPRA, the implementing body of the PNRR MER project, has entrusted the economic operators Fondazione Marevivo, Castalia Consorzio Stabile and CoNISMa, the National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, in the “GhostNets” operation, with the recovery of fishing nets and gear abandoned or accidentally lost at sea.

Abandoned nets represent one of the most dangerous threats to the ecosystem, because when they settle on the seabed they become deadly traps for many living species. Their deterioration into tiny fragments also generates the release of microplastics that are ingested by animals and end up, consequently, in the food chain.

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.

Presentation of Sheet 539 Mogoro of the Geological Map of Italy

On June 27, 2025, the official presentation of Sheet 539 Mogoro of the Geological Map of Italy will take place in Cagliari, curated by the Geological, Hydrogeological and Hydrographic Department of ARPAS.

Funded by ISPRA in 2020 and launched in the same year by ARPAS, the Mogoro Sheet represents an important milestone in the field of National Geological Cartography (CARG Project). It is a fundamental tool for territorial planning and an essential technical-scientific support for geologists, professionals and operators active in the territory, including in the tourism sector.

The event will begin with the official institutional greetings ceremony. Following this, an in-depth analysis of the CARG Project at a national level will be presented, with speeches by the General Director of ISPRA, Maria Siclari, Dr. Maria Teresa Lettieri, director in charge of the CAR Service, the Technical Scientific Director of ARPAS, Romano Ruggeri, and the Director of the Geological Department of ARPAS, Domenico Caracciolo.

The meeting of the Multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Group of Experts (MESAG) of the seventh edition of the Global Earth Outlook is underway in the Republic of Korea

From 2 to 6 June, the Authors and Multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Group of Experts (MESAG) meeting of the seventh edition of the Global Earth Outlook (GEO-7) will be held at the Halla University Convention Center, on the island of Jeju-do, Republic of Korea.

GEO is the flagship report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and provides a comprehensive assessment of the state and prospects of the global environment. UNEP is entrusted with study and operational functions, to provide technical assistance to developing countries, including in the field of environmental legislation.

The last edition, GEO-6, published in 2019, focused on the theme "Healthy Planet, Healthy People" and aimed to provide policy makers and society with potential solutions to achieve the environmental dimension of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (known as SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda for 2030.

Preview at Flowpath 2025: the new Hydrogeological Map of Italy at 1:500,000 scale

ISPRA will present the new Hydrogeological Map of Italy (CII500K), the cartography that maps the country's groundwater, during the scientific conference Flowpath 2025, scheduled in Turin from 11 to 13 June. This is an important milestone for the knowledge, management and protection of groundwater at a national level.

The CII500K was born from an intense collaboration between ISPRA and the University of Milan - Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio", as part of a research agreement aimed at systematizing and harmonizing regional hydrogeological knowledge on a national scale, and was also achieved thanks to both the scientific and economic contribution of the CARG Project.

ISPRA presents today the "Sea Sentinel"

The "Sea Sentinel" was presented today at the ISPRA headquarters in Rome, as the mobile unit (UMRO) is called, which represents a technological vanguard for coastal marine monitoring. The unit was acquired as part of the B19 intervention of the PNRR MER PROJECT.

Thanks to its technical equipment and operational capacity in the field, the UMRO allows the real-time detection of the main marine parameters, integrating the data collected with those from other monitoring sources.

The Mobile Unit will officially become part of the Institute's coastal marine environment monitoring system. With the Sea Sentinel, Italian scientific research takes a step forward in the protection of marine ecosystems, making surveillance and intervention in situations of environmental risk, such as oil spills or the anomalous presence of floating waste, more efficient.

Launch of the new video of the Network for the study of mycological diversity

On the occasion of the XII Scientific Committee of the Umbrian Mycological Association A.MI. (Foligno, May 30-June 2), the new video of the Ndm network, promoted by ISPRA to support the national census of macromycetes, will be officially presented.

The video describes the census initiative, together with the objectives and tools created by ISPRA for the involvement of mycologists, experts and institutions in the study and protection of fungal diversity in Italy.

With IdroGEO you can know if the area where you live is at risk of landslides and floods

The IdroGEO platform allows the consultation, download and sharing of data, maps, reports, documents of the Inventory of Landslide Phenomena in Italy - IFFI, of the national maps of danger for landslides and floods and of the risk indicators. In the "Pericolosità a rischio" section, it is possible to view the levels of danger for landslides and floods on a map. The user can search for an address, geolocate themselves, query the data, create a report and verify the danger at a point of interest by viewing the perimeter of the geographical areas that could be affected by the flooding of a watercourse.

IMPEL, ENPE and EnviCrimeNet sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fight against environmental crimes

During the conference “4 Networks Conference: "Making the new Environmental Crime Directive work - Cooperation/Prevention/Enforcement", held on 21 and 22 May 2025 at Bratislava Castle, the European networks IMPEL, ENPE and EnviCrimeNet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that represents a concrete step towards a more structured cooperation between environmental inspectors, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, with the common goal of fully implementing the new Environmental Crime Directive and addressing emerging challenges in a coordinated manner.

Bio-AT – Biodiversity and scientific research in the Tuscan Archipelago

On the occasion of the celebrations that in the month of May put the Parks, biodiversity and the environment at the centre of national and international attention, the Tuscan Archipelago National Park is promoting an important scientific and institutional event: "bioAT - Biodiversity and scientific research in the Tuscan Archipelago", scheduled for 27 and 28 May at the headquarters of the Park Authority, in the Enfola area of ​​Portoferraio.

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.

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”.

LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS at the 36th Conference of the European Cetacean Society (ECS)

From 12 to 16 May 2025, the Life CONCEPTU MARIS project, coordinated by ISPRA, participated in the 36th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, held in Ponta Delgada, Azores. The event represented an extraordinary opportunity to share the results of the project and consolidate international collaborations.

ISPRA analyses the three events of 2025 that led to the death of three Marsican brown bears and the captivity of a cub for reintroduction

The central Italian brown bear population is one of the most threatened worldwide, classified as Critically Endangered in the most recent IUCN Red Lists (European assessment: Huber 2025; National assessment: Rondinini et al. 2022), and is considered in poor conservation status in the 4^th Habitat Directive Report (2013–2017). It is therefore a population of national and European priority conservation concern.

World Turtle Day

On the occasion of World Turtle Day 2025, ISPRA presents a video about the monitoring activities of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) at the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano (Rome), a protected area of ​​great value for the biodiversity it preserves. The European pond turtle is a native species classified as “in danger of extinction” in the IUCN Red List of Italian vertebrates (2022), whose populations have drastically reduced in the country due to the degradation and disappearance of suitable aquatic habitats and competition with invasive alien species, such as the Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Annual Conference of the Section of History of Geosciences of the Italian Geological Society

From 17 to 19 June 2025, the Annual Conference of the Section of History of Geosciences of the Italian Geological Society will be held in Turin, at the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences.
The conference is organized by SGI, CNR-IGG, the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Turin, the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences, ISPRA, SIGEA and the Sella Foundation.
The event will take place at the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 15, Turin and will be followed by two days of scientific excursions.

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.

“Green Team: together for environment and health” – A day dedicated to sustainability in Palermo with students, experts and institutions

On 23 May 23 the city of Palermo hosts “Green Team: together for environment and health”, a special event within the Sustainable Development Festival, promoted by ASviS. The day, which will take place at the CNR Research Area (via Ugo La Malfa) and at Villa Trabia, is aimed at schools in the Sicilian capital and focuses on the crucial issues of environment, health and climate change.

International Day for Biological Diversity 2025

The May 22 is the International Day for Biological Diversity established by the United Nations to celebrate Biodiversity. The purpose of the celebration is to highlight the multiple values ​​of biodiversity, underline the importance of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and to promote support for its implementation, together with that of the Cartagena Protocol (which aims to help ensure an adequate level of protection in the field of safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms) and that of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.

In the Marine Protected Area of ​​Baia degli Infreschi, monitoring activities are underway on the Posidonia oceanica mat re-stitching plant

Monitoring activities are underway on the repair plant of the Posidonia oceanica carpet damaged by anchors at the Marine Protected Area of ​​Baia degli Infreschi, as part of the LIFE SEAForest project.

ISPRA researchers, with the support of the Carabinieri Underwater Unit of Naples, are observing an increase in the rooting of Posidonia cuttings at the plant. This bodes well for the success of the project which is already achieving, in the areas near the Asinara MPA and the Maddalena National Park, a survival rate of 80/90% of the seedlings inserted as repair of the damaged carpet, in view of active restoration actions.

The landscape and beauty of our cities. A walk through Italy 2025

On May 22, 2025, the event "The landscape and beauty of our cities. Walk through Italy 2025" will take place in Bologna, with the participation of operators and experts in the sector at international, national and local level, as well as the President of the National Committee for the development of public green spaces.
For ISPRA, Silvia Brini, Head of the Area for monitoring air quality and operational climatology, will illustrate the PNRR-PNC project "Vebs - The good use of green and blue spaces for the promotion of health and well-being", launched in 2023 and implemented with the technical and financial support of the Ministry of Health.

Alien species Dreissena polymorpha identified on the Tevere River

As part of the citizen science project “Tevere molluschi fantastici” (Tiber Fantastic Molluscs), coordinated by researchers from ISPRA, several specimens of the bivalve mollusc Dreissena polymorpha—commonly known as the zebra mussel—were discovered in Umbria, in the middle Tiber Valley near Alviano (TR). Although the species has a distinctive and easily recognizable appearance, its identification was confirmed by two expert malacologists involved in the project.

Previously reported in the Tiber River only near Rome a few years ago, the zebra mussel has been present in Italy since 1971. While its distribution remains localized, it is found in various freshwater systems across the country. This species is considered invasive and was listed in a 2017 scientific study among the 100 most invasive species in Europe. In countries where it has become highly invasive and widespread —such as Spain—it causes not only serious harm to biodiversity but also significant economic damage. The mussels tend to colonize pipes and aquatic infrastructure, resulting in high costs for maintenance, control, and restoration.

At present, the species is not expanding in Italy, but its spread should be carefully monitored and controlled to limit the risk of further diffusion. Many species, in fact, go through a 'latency' period before expanding and becoming invasive, eventually posing a threat to the ecosystem.

The discovery has been recorded in the web-GIS platform of the National Biodiversity Network (NBB), as well as in other relevant databases, as notification or warning issued to inform the public, scientists, conservationists, or authorities about the presence, spread, or risk in the riverine system were the species was found. A scientific report will also be prepared by the project coordinators to document and disseminate the finding.

Conference “Legislative Decree 105/2015 10 years after its promulgation: national experiences and future prospects”

On May 28, 2025, the Auditorium of the Inail General Directorate will host the conference co-organized by the Inail Department of Technological Innovations, the Department of Firefighters, Public Rescue and Civil Defense of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and ISPRA, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the enactment of Legislative Decree no. 105 of June 26, 2015, containing “Implementation of Directive 2012/18/EU on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances”.

Bees, Beekeepers and Protected Areas

On the occasion of World Bee and Beekeepers Day, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park will be the site of an important event dedicated to the protection of pollinators and the enhancement of the role of beekeeping in protected areas. The meeting will see the participation of researchers, technicians and representatives of the beekeeping and environmental world.

Call for Poster: RigeneraCity - Experiences of urban regenaration

Remtech Expo 2025
Ferrara, 17-19 September 2025
RigeneraCity, within RemTech Expo, represents a unique opportunity to share and enhance concrete experiences of urban regeneration. The Scientific Committee of RigeneraCity has launched a call aimed at selecting projects and best practices on the subject of urban regeneration that will be presented during RemTech Expo.

National Conference Against Eco-Mafia

On May 16 and 17, the National Conference on Counter-Eco-Mafia will be held in Rome at the Department of Law, organized by Legambiente, Libera in collaboration with Casa Comune and the University of Roma Tre. The conference, which marks the conclusion of an online training course divided into a series of webinars, aims to take stock of the progress and challenges in the fight against environmental crime, ten years after the introduction of environmental crimes in the penal code.

Major EU funding secured for IMPEL network: ISPRA at the forefront of environmental cooperation in Europe

ISPRA plays an active and strategic role in the IMPEL network (European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law), with a seat on the Board and contributions to all five thematic Expert Teams: Industry & Air, Cross Cutting, Waste & TFS, Nature Protection, and Water & Land.

We are pleased to announce that IMPEL has secured over €5 million in funding from the European Commission's DG Environment for the 2025–2027 period.

The HANDY Project continues in Puglia, “Strengthen the specialist skills of the emergency services to respond to climate change events”

Funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021/2027 Programme, the HANDY Project has as its main objective the standardization of the specialized training of the Italian and Croatian Civil Protection operational forces, to ensure a harmonized approach to intervention procedures in the event of natural disasters, such as oil spills at sea, fires, earthquakes and floods. In this context, ISPRA has been tasked with training volunteers on the management of environmental emergencies at sea and along the coast, with particular attention to coastal contamination assessment techniques (SCAT), intervention strategies and techniques, as well as risk scenarios.