Italy has failed to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. In 2021, in fact, after the "virtuous" year that was, however, solely the result of the drastic decline in economic and productive activities caused by the pandemic and the consequent lockdowns, the quantity of climate-altering gases released into the atmosphere began to rise again. Although down 20 per cent compared to 1990, thanks to the development of renewables and energy efficiency, the total grew by 8.5 per cent between 2020 and 2021.

Greenhouse gas emissions up 8.5 per cent

The figures come from ISPRA, according to which current emissions are still well above the trajectory that must be followed to meet the established climate targets: as much as 11 million tonnes above what was set for 2021.

ISPRA - Ist. Sup. Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale @ISPRA_Press

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🌫 Emissioni di gas serra: trend di nuovo in crescita, complici trasporti e riscaldamento.
Poco promettenti gli scenari al 2030.
Online l'Inventario Nazionale Ispra delle emissioni di gas serra e di altri inquinanti.

Leggi il comunicato stampa: bit.ly/3L9zoun

♥ 13 18 apr 2023 · Apri su X →

"A situation that – the agency explains – according to estimates appears set to continue not only in 2022, but in future years as well. The scenarios to 2030 are indeed unpromising: a modest reduction in emissions is expected in the transport and heating sectors, and a misalignment with the established targets that by 2030 could exceed 15 million tonnes."

Projections for Italy point to an insufficient trend through to 2030

The data are contained in the "National Inventory Report 2023", which provides a snapshot of Italy's greenhouse gas emissions, specifying, among other things, that "approximately half of national climate-altering emissions are caused by the energy production and transport sectors". ISPRA notes, however, that, again compared to 1990, emissions from the energy sector have fallen by 37 per cent, despite an increase in production from 178.6 to 189.7 terawatt-hours and in consumption. This is thanks to the development of renewable sources, whose share of total gross final consumption stood at 20 per cent in 2020.

Notwithstanding this, Italy is not yet on track with the trend it must follow to meet the targets set for 2030 by the European Commission. To do so, it will need to cut total emissions by 43.7 per cent relative to 2005 levels, whereas ISPRA's projections indicate that the reduction is likely to be less than 30 per cent.