Italy’s natural beauty is iconic. Indeed, its rolling green hills, lush forests, and fertile river valleys have made it not only one of the most agriculturally prosperous lands in Europe but also a popular tourist destination. That being the case, environmental groups have long voiced their dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts to protect the country’s natural heritage.
That may change soon though as the country’s parliament passed a new law integrating environmental protection into the constitution, reports Reuters.
Italy’s new green law:
The new law states the government must guarantee the protection of the environment, biodiversity, and the ecosystem “in the interest of future generations.” It specifically states that any economic activity must come at no harm to the environment or people’s health.
What effect will it have?
Roberto Cingolani, Italy’s Ecological Transition Minister, praised the ratification as “an essential step” in the country’s efforts to raise green investments to rebuild the economy under the European Union’s pandemic recovery fund.
World Wildlife Fund Italy said that it now expects the government to adapt existing legislation on environmental issues according to the new constitutional law. “Finally, environment protection has become a fundamental principle of the republic, which future legislation must be inspired by and past legislation adapted to,” said Italian WWF president Donatella Bianchi.
