22 islands around the world are setting an example on sustainability. How are Italy's minor islands faring? The data from Legambiente's Isole sostenibili dossier.
The beauty of the sea, the force of the wind, the sun, the sky, the enveloping scent of Mediterranean essences. On Italy's minor islands, from Capri to Pantelleria, from Giglio to Lampedusa, we can encounter unforgettable landscapes and a unique biodiversity preserved by national parks, marine protected areas and sites of community importance. Potentially, our minor islands could be extraordinary laboratories of innovation and sustainability. An example to export with pride to the world. But that is not what is happening.
To achieve this goal Italy still has a long way to go, and for now the green revolution is happening elsewhere. What in our country still seems like a utopia is already working on 22 islands around the world (across the Pacific, the Atlantic, the northern seas and Australia) that have successfully embarked on paths towards energy independence and the sustainable management of their resources. The stories of these virtuous experiences, which we hope will become a spur to act with greater determination for Italy, are told by Legambiente in the dossier Isole sostenibili. In parallel, the association's report captures the current state of sustainability processes on Italy's 20 minor islands. Renewable sources, separate waste collection, virtuous management of water resources and sustainable mobility are the topics examined.
The picture that emerges regarding clean energy on the minor islands is disheartening: on none of them does it reach 4 per cent of electricity consumption, while in the rest of Italy the figure stands at 35 per cent. The uptake shows very low numbers. For example, on the island of Capri there are 92.15 square metres of solar thermal, 11.9 kilowatts (kW) of solar photovoltaic and 32.3 kW of biomass for the municipality of Capri; in the municipality of Anacapri, 25.94 square metres of solar thermal have been installed. On Ustica, the 29.33 kW of solar photovoltaic is distributed across five private installations. On Pantelleria, the 470 kW of solar photovoltaic is spread across 69 installations, one of which is a concentrating plant of 85 kW (at the airport) with the others installed on a hospital, a school, hotels and private buildings. There are also two small wind turbine installations. On the island of Capraia, 2,388 kW of a power plant fuelled by imported biodiesel derived from soya, sunflower and rapeseed crops have been installed. The paradox is that, despite very significant potential for the spread of solar and wind power, energy needs are still met by old, polluting and costly diesel generators.
As regards separate waste collection, the minor islands are still far behind, with an average of 18 per cent (Ispra and Comieco data). The best separate collection figures are on Capri (56 per cent) and Pantelleria (45 per cent), while those for Favignana, at 19 per cent, and Lipari, at 13 per cent, are deeply concerning. On mobility, the islands are trying to make progress by incentivising public transport, bike sharing and electric transport. For example, the island of Capri has recently introduced three electric shuttle buses and a free bike-sharing service with 15 bicycles available to tourists at three different areas of the port.
The virtuous processes begun on several islands still have to contend with delays in the management of water resources and wastewater treatment. On several islands — Favignana, Giglio, Lampedusa, Linosa, Lipari, Pantelleria, Ustica, Capraia and Vulcano (where one is currently being built) — the use of desalination plants is widespread; however, these very often fail to meet demand. In particular on Sicily's islands, 50 per cent of the water supply still arrives by tanker ship, a system that has always entailed high costs. The delay in wastewater treatment is dramatic, with only six islands equipped with it: Tremiti, Capri, Lipari, Pantelleria, Ustica, Ventotene and Vulcano. A shameful situation that undermines the islands' appeal to tourists.
It is time for Italy's twenty minor islands to overcome their delays and shortcomings. Legambiente proposes adopting a plan on each island to reach 100 per cent energy from renewable sources, through energy efficiency measures, consumption reduction and the development of clean installations. It is also important to create a virtuous model for managing water resources that aims to reduce consumption, recover waste and losses (which are very significant) in the distribution network. And to drive separate waste collection (through a door-to-door model and collection centres) and the recovery of organic waste for compost production. Agriculture, a detail not to be overlooked, can be the pivot around which to redesign a model of circular economy that is useful and fundamental for the islands, which are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change.
There are two new regulatory developments that should help the green revival of Italy's minor islands: the decree from the Ministry of Economic Development that incentivises renewable sources on the 20 minor islands not connected to the electricity grid; and the law that introduced a landing fee on the minor islands, which provides for directing the revenues towards environmental management and enhancement measures. Unfortunately, unblocking renewables still requires a resolution from the energy authority. And regarding the landing fee, too many islands are acting in a disorganised fashion, and it is not clear how the revenues can genuinely improve the management of waste and water or enhance tourism on the islands. A coordinating body is needed, along with greater coordination between institutions and greater boldness. For now, let us take comfort in the virtuous practices of the 22 islands around the world that are already well on their way.