On October 18, 2024, a new decree-law on the environment entered into effect in Italy. Decree-Law No. 153 of October 17, 2024, which was converted into law through Law No. 191 of December 13, 2024, contains measures on environmental protection, environmental assessments and authorizations, the remediation of contaminated sites, the circular economy, and more.
Environmental Assessments
To promote economic development, the new legislation simplifies the procedures used for review and fast-tracks the approval for certain projects during environmental evaluations. Priority should be given to projects according to certain criteria of national strategic interest, including their reliability and technical and economic sustainability value realization; their contribution to decarbonization objectives; their compliance with the purposes of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, such as saving energy and diversifying energy supplies; and the enhancement of existing works, plants, or infrastructure. (Decree-Law 153, art. 1(1)(a)(1)(1.2).)
Additionally, particular types of projects should receive priority during the review and approval process, including green or renewable hydrogen plants; plants powered by wind or solar sources; and onshore photovoltaic and onshore agrivoltaic projects with a nominal power output of at least 50 megawatts and onshore wind projects with a nominal power of at least 70 megawatts. The duration of approval procedures for projects receiving priority status may be reduced to a maximum of 3/5th of the normal time established in article 23 of Legislative Decree No. 152 of April 3, 2006, on the Environment. (Art. 1(1)(a)(2).)
Assessments of Military Properties
The Ministry of Defense may use national military sites or grant concessions or leases for those sites to install energy systems intended to improve the nation’s strategic energy supply. (Art. 1(4)(a).)
Ban on Liquid Hydrocarbon Permits
The legislation prohibits new exploration and production permits and concessions for liquid hydrocarbons within the national territory and at sea. Permits granted before Decree-Law No. 153 became law remain in effect. (Art. 2(2).) Extensions of hydrocarbon production concessions also remain in place.
Contaminated Site Remediation and Protection of Waters
Decree-Law No. 153 contains sweeping provisions for site remediation and the protection of waters throughout the country, for example, regarding exceeding the water quality limits for certain areas of the country, and the designation of a national site of interest for environmental remediation. (Art. 3(1)(b)(1).)
Waste Recovery Operations at the Western Ligurian Sea Port
With the purpose to promote sustainability and encourage waste recovery operations that reduce disposed waste in the landfill at the Western Ligurian Sea Port, an “extraordinary commissioner” must approve a plan for the integrated management of waste and materials. The plan must include measures providing for the use of materials, including those excavated from the sea, brackish sea beds, or emerged coastal lands; inert materials, inorganic geological materials, and artifacts; and inert materials and inorganic geological materials that cease to be waste following a recovery operation, including recycling. (Art. 5(1).)
According to the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, the Ligurian Sea Ports “rank as Italy’s premier multi-commodity port cluster” and “are a vital strategic asset for both the Italian and central-southern European economy.”
Promotion of the Circular Economy
Decree-Law No. 153 introduces measures for the promotion of the circular economy, including the approval of a plan for the integrated and circular management of waste and materials that guarantees their best use, in compliance with European Union and national regulations on waste management. (Art. 5(1).)
Dante Figueroa, Law Library of Congress
April 18, 2025
Read more Global Legal Monitor articles.
Read Law Library reports on Italy.