The articles of the Environmental Decree
The draft text consists of 13 articles:
- Art. 1 – Urgent provisions on environmental assessments and authorisations
- Art. 2 – Urgent provisions to combine the needs of environmental protection with the needs of security of supplies
- Art. 3 – Urgent measures for the management of the water crisis
- Art. 4 – Urgent measures on extended producer responsibility for e-commerce
- Art. 5 – Further urgent provisions for the circular economy
- Art. 6 – Urgent provisions to promote the recovery of critical raw materials from WEEE
- Art. 7 – Urgent measures regarding remediation
- Art. 8 – Establishment of the support structure for the Extraordinary Commissioner for the site of national interest of Crotone – Cassano and Cerchiara
- Art. 9 – Provisions for the census and monitoring of interventions in the field of soil protection
- Art. 10 – Programming and financing of interventions entrusted to the Government Commissioners for the fight against hydrogeological instability
- Art. 11 – Urgent provisions for administrations operating in the environmental and energy security sectors
- Art. 12 – Urgent provisions for the functions of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security
- Art. 13 – Financial invariance clause
These articles outline the main provisions of the decree, focusing on environmental protection, administrative simplification and natural resources management.
Environmental assessments and authorizations
The first article of the decree aims to simplify and accelerate the environmental assessment and authorization procedures, amending Legislative Decree No. 152 of 2006.
Among the most important innovations, the priority of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures for projects that contribute to the decarbonisation and to the development of renewable sources.
For operational support to the Technical Commission for the verification of the environmental impact VIA and VAS and to the Technical Commission PNRR-PNIEC, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security can avail itself of the operational support of the Energy Services Manager — GSE SpA (GSE) in relation to energy production projects from renewable sources.
Environmental protection and security of supplies
This article amends the regime of concessions and exploration permits in the hydrocarbon sector. The draft states that from the date of entry into force of the decree, the granting of exploration permits and concessions for the cultivation of liquid hydrocarbons on the national territory and at sea it is not allowed.
However, some exceptions they are foreseen for concessions already existing or based on permits issued before the entry into force of the decree.
Water crisis, waste and hydrogeological instability management
The decree addresses in a detailed manner three crucial aspects for environmental protection and sustainable development: the management of the water crisis, waste management and the fight against hydrogeological instability.
The decree introduces urgent measures to address the growing water crisisdue to prolonged droughts and extreme natural phenomena. The decree requires that temporary changes to water quality objectives are justified by overriding public interests, ensuring that such derogations do not permanently compromise the status of water bodies. This approach aims to balance immediate supply needs with the long-term protection of water resources.
The decree also establishes new rules for the Management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)simplifying collection and storage procedures. Distributors ensure, upon supply of a new electronic device, the free collection, on a one-for-one basis, of used equipment of an equivalent type. sanctions for failure to comply with these obligations include fines up to 3% of annual revenueintended to finance awareness campaigns on recycling.
For counteract hydrogeological instabilityin reference to the National Intervention Plan, priority is given to projects already financed or advanced in the planning phase. The interventions must be managed and monitored through digital platforms, such as ReNDiSfed with data updated by local administrations. It is also the role of Government Commissioners has been strengthenedwho will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of interventions on the territory.
The aim is to improve prevention and ensure timely and targeted interventions, optimising the use of public resources earmarked for combating hydrogeological instability.
In summary, the decree aims at an integrated and sustainable management of water resources, waste and land, promoting greater efficiency and transparency in the fight against environmental emergencies.
