The fifteenth GreenItaly report – promoted by the Symbola Foundation, Unioncamere and the Tagliacarne Study Center, with the collaboration of Conai, Novamont, Ecopneus, Enel and various experts and business associations – presents a exhaustive picture of the state of the green economy in Italy. Through data, trends and over 200 case studies, the report offers an annual tool for analysis and reflection on progress of the green transition and on effects of sustainability on the competitiveness of national production systems and international.
In the broad context of the green economy, Italy aims to consolidate its positionon the one hand strengthening the areas in which it is already a leader – such as in recycling and the circular economy – and on the other trying not to lose ground on other fronts compared to other European countries. “There is an Italy – stated Ermete Realacci, president of the Symbola Foundation, during the presentation of GreenItaly 2024 – which can be a protagonist with Europe at the COP29 in Baku (in progress these days, ed.): makes the green transition aopportunities to strengthen the economy and society“.
The Italian record in the recycling of materials
According to the data presented in the report, Italy is confirmed European leader in recycling: In 2022, the recycling start rate has reached 91.6% of total wasteclearly exceeding the averages of Germany, France and Spain. The results are particularly positive in packaging recyclingwith a rate of 75.3%, and in specific materials such as paper (92.3%), glass (77.4%) e steel (87.8%). Even in the recycling of plasticwhose rate is still low (48%), progress is being recorded, thanks to initiatives such as the composting of over 44 thousand tons of biodegradable plastic.
Italian excellence also extends to the food sector used mineral oilswith 98% of the total regenerated in 2023 for the production of lubricants and derivatives. This efficiency in the recovery of materials allows Italy to reduce the import of raw materials and minimize environmental impact. In the case of tire imports, for example, it was possible to achieve savings of 81 million euros (and huge CO₂ emissions) thanks to the recycling of ELTs.
Construction and the Green Homes Directive
Construction, one of the key sectors of the green economy, has seen an increase in Italy growth in the adoption of sustainable practicesas explicitly encouraged by the new European Green Houses directive. This directive, as we have widely seen, aims at the progressive energy restructuring of the building stock for reduce consumption by 55% by 2030.
After the boom in interventions generated by the Superbonus, Italian construction is now called upon to consolidate the path towards more sustainable and innovative solutionswith a focus on environmentally friendly materials and technologies that improve the energy efficiency and quality of buildings.
The furniture and the circular design
Also the home furnishings sectorsymbol of Made in Italy, is at the forefront of the transition towards a circular economy. As emerges from the report, 64.1% of companies purchase renewable or sustainably produced raw materials or semi-finished products51.1% have implemented business models oriented towards circularity and around 70% have made investments to improve the efficiency of processes.
Also, thanks to new Ecodesign DirectiveItalian companies in the furniture sector aim to develop more durable, repairable and sustainable productsin line with the growing demand for circular solutions.
Sustainability and green employment
Sustainability also turns out to be one strategic lever for the labor market. In the period 2019-2023, 571,040 companies, i.e 38.6% of Italian companieshave invested in green solutions. These investments contributed to the growth of professions linked to the green economy, which at the end of 2023 represented 13.4% of total employed people. In 2023, nearly 80% of job postings required sustainability skills, with sectors such as logistics and engineering among the most active.
GreenItaly 2024, download the report
For further information and to download the complete report go to symbola.net.
