Member State fact sheet: Italy

Integrated Coastal Management and Climate Change Adaptation

I. Summary
Legislative and policy framework
Italy has signed but not yet ratified the ICZM Protocol under the Barcelona Convention (as of May 2014). Italy does not have national legislation for either ICM or adaptation. Coastal management issues are addressed in other legislation, including for spatial planning, nature protection and cultural and landscape protection.
The national Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea leads on policies for both ICM and adaptation. Planning and implementation can take place at national, regional or local levels.
Policies and plans
At national level, both an ICM and an adaptation strategy are currently under development.The draft document on Main Elements for the National Climate Change Strategy for Adaptation was published in September 2013 for public comment; one chapter addresses coastal zones. Several regions have developed coastal plans, and some have undertaken preliminary studies on adaptation issues.
Links between ICM and CCA
The public consultation draft of the Main Elements for the National Climate Change Strategy for Adaptation. It addresses several issues concerning coastal areas, including: research, fisheries and aquaculture, protection of urban areas and infrastructure and early warning systems.
Transboundary cooperation
Italy participates in a range of EU projects on coastal management and adaptation, as well as regional sea activities in the Mediterranean. Italy works with neighbouring countries on coastal issues through agreements on the Adriatic Sea area and also with France and Monaco.
II. Legislative and policy framework
II.1 Legislative structure
National
ICM
Italy currently does not have national legislation specifically for ICM.[i]
Adaptation
Italy currently does have not national legislation specifically on adaptation to climate change.
Other legislation
A range of other legislation addresses coastal issues.
National Legislative Decree 152/2006 transposes the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC); National Legislative Decree 190/2010 transposes the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC).
National law 979/1982 on Marine Protection calls for: a national plan on the protection of the marine environment and the protection of sea and coasts from pollution; rapid response to accidental pollution; monitoring of the seas and coasts; and the creation of marine protected areas.[ii]
National legislation on landscape protection refers to coastal areas: Legislative Decree no. 42/2004, containing the "Code on Cultural Heritage and Landscape" (Codicedeibeniculturali e del paesaggio;amended by Legislative Decree no. 157/2006) provides for the preservation of a 300-meter wide area inland from the shoreline and going inland, including lands elevated above sea level. The regions establish landscape plans, in accordance with the national MoE and the national Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.
Regional
Several regions have adopted ICM plans (see below).
II.2 Administrative structures
In recent decades, Italy’s national government has devolved responsibility for a growing set of policy areas to Italy’s regions (along with two autonomous provinces, for Trento (Trent) and Bolzano/Bozen). Each region has an elected council that passes regional legislation and adopts policy strategies and planning instruments.
Measures for both ICM and adaptation to climate change can be implemented by a broad range of actors including regions, provinces and local councils.
National level
The National Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea (MoE hereinafter) is the lead organisation for ICM. The Ministry of Environment is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (in charge of fishery management) to prepare the National Strategy for ICM.
MoE also holds primary responsibility for the establishment and preparation of a national strategy and/or action for adaptation to climate change. MoE also focuses on the integration (mainstreaming) of adaptation into sectoral policies. [iii]
The National Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is in charge of shipping and plays a leading role in national actions related to the EU Integrated Maritime Policy.[iv]The Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies is in charge of fisheries. The Ministry of Economic Development is in charge of energy, including fossil fuel exploration and extraction licenses on land and in territorial seas.
Regional level
Over the past decade, Italy has devolved a significant range of powers to the regional level. These powers include freshwater management, coastal defences (with the exception of specific locations such as Venice, a national competence) and small coastal ports.[v] Several regional governments have developed ICM plans (see below).
The regional government of Sardinia established, in 2007, an Agency for Coastal Conservation whose tasks include ICM.[vi]
Regional governments and adaptation?
Coordination mechanisms
The 2010 ICZM report indicates that preparatory work for Italy’s ICZM Strategy includes collaboration with other national bodies, regional and local governments as well as stakeholders: a permanent technical board has been created for this purpose. At the same time, the report notes that a lack of harmonisation and involvement across administrative levels has been an obstacle to the implementation of ICM.[vii]
Several regions have established inter-departmental technical boards on coastal issues.[viii]
To implement the National Biodiversity Strategy, a committee of national and regional government bodies has been established, together with an observatory of technical and scientific experts. Additional coordination bodies exist for fisheries policy.
II.3 National policies and strategies
NationalICM policy/strategy
A national ICZM Strategy is under preparation.
National adaptation strategy/action plan
Italy is currently preparing a National Adaptation Strategy,[ix]and a draft document on Main Elements for the National Climate Change Strategy for Adaptation was presented for public consultation in late 2013.[x]One chapter discusses impacts and actions for coastal areas. Coastal erosion is highlighted among the climate impacts. Among the proposed actions are: research and monitoring of climate impacts and possible extreme events; attention to fisheries and fish species potentially affected by climate change; assessment of risks to urban areas and adaptation of infrastructure; development of early warning systems and insurance approaches.
Other key national level strategies/plans
Italy does not have a national MSP.[xi]
Italy has established 26 marine protected areas under national legislation (in both coastal areas and in open waters), according to a web site maintained by the National Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea.[xii] According to the Ministry, a further 17 are being established, with others in planning.[xiii]
In May 2013, the Ministry of Environment issued a national plan for the defence of sea and coasts from pollution and of protection of the maritime environment.
Italy’s National Biodiversity Strategy (2010) identifies the marine and coastal environment as one of its 15 areas of work. Priority actions in this area include: ratification and application of the Mediterranean ICZM Protocol; development of a national Integrated Maritime Policy with an ecosystem approach, using MSP as a tool and addressing climate change; and strengthening marine protected areas. The development of a National ICZM Strategy (see above) and of CAMP projects for coastal management (see section V below) are among the instruments for implementation. The Biodiversity Strategy highlights adaptation to climate change as a key cross-cutting theme to be addressed under each area of work.[xiv]
Regional ICM policies/strategies
Several regions have developed ICM plans[xv]. Based on information available, the following regional plans have been developed:
  • Emilia Romagna, ICZM guidelines, 2005[xvi]
  • Liguria, Territorial Plan for Coastal Coordination (2000, last updated in 2011)[xvii]
  • Tuscany, ICZM Plan for Hydrogeology (2000)
  • Puglia, Regional Plan for Coasts (2009)
  • Marche, ICZM Plan (2005)[xviii]
In addition, several regions have developed plans for coastal defences (e.g. Emilia Romagna[xix]); others (e.g. Lazio) have carried out preparatory work for ICZM.
According to the 2010 national ICZM report, Italy has carried out activities in particular for coastal reforestation and the mitigation of erosion, including at regional level. Nonetheless, the planning of a system of coastal actions to address climate change more broadly has not yet started, though some regions (such as Tuscany) have taken initial steps.[xx]
Several regions as well as local governments in Italy have endorsed the 2012 Bologna Charter for the Sustainable Development of Mediterranean Coasts, prepared under the EU Maremed project.[xxi]
Regional adaptation policies/strategies
One (non-coastal) region, Lombardy, has prepared guidelines for a regional adaptation strategy, which is to be developed. Several other regions have carried out studies on climate impacts.[xxii]
Other regional policies/strategies
Italy has three levels of spatial planning: regions, the provinces and the communes.[xxiii] These spatial plans include coastal areas. Other regional plans can be relevant, including those for fisheries and for biodiversity protection.[xxiv] (Depending on the region, the provinces may also have responsibilities in these areas.)
II.4 Awareness raising activities
The 2010 ICZM report notes that a lack of communication between sectors – in particular between those for economic activities and environmental protection – is an obstacle for the implementation of ICZM.[xxv]
Regional level
Several regions have provided public information related to ICM. For example:
  • Emilia-Romagna region prepared a ‘State of the coastline’ report in 2007[xxvi]
  • Sardinia region has a web site on climate change and the coast[xxvii]
Other
Some awareness-raising activities related to climate change have been undertaken by NGOs.
III. Knowledge base
III.1 Overview of key projects
EU projects are listed in the Annex.
National
A range of universities and research institutes address coastal and marine sciences. CoNISMa, the Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, supports research and related activities:
The VECTOR project (2008-2010) addressed the vulnerability of coastal and marine ecosystems to climate change:
RITMARE project (2012-2016)[xxviii] is the main national research project on marine planning, one sub-project is specifically dedicated to MSP. The project is coordinated by the National Research Council and involves several research institutes and Universities. The project is financed by the Ministry of Education, University and Research.
Several national programmes and institutions have addressed climate change adaptation. In particular, the the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change works on this issue and is supporting the Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea in the preparation of Italy’s national adaptation strategy.
Influence of research projects on policies and measures
A dialogue with scientists has been part of the development of a national adaptation strategy: the Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea’s web site refers in particular to a one-day meeting held in February 2012.[xxix]Moreover, the Ministry is working with the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change, which is based in Italy.
III.2 National information portals
The Sistema Difesa Mare (Si.Di.Mar., Sea Defence System) is a national web database related to marine biodiversity protection. It currently covers: marine environmental data; distribution of alien species; mapping of sea grasses; mapping of Italy’s Marine Protected Areas; and information on whale beaching, sharks and marine turtles. Web site:
As part of Si.Di.Mar., ISPRA (IstitutoSuperiore per la Protezione e la RicercaAmbientale: the Higher Institute for Environmental Research and Protection, a national agency) provides online data and forecasts for sea waves and currents as well as tidal surges in the Lagoon of Venice:
Si.Di.Mar is linked to SINAnet (Rete del Sistema InformativoNazionaleAmbientale: the Network of the National Environmental Information System):
ISPRA also maintains national data on climate (SCIA) and publishes climate indicators:

ISPRA has prepared a range of scientific reports and other documents on the marine and coastal environments. In 2001, a report was published on the quality of Italy’s marine and coastal environments (by a national research agency that has become part of ISPRA).[xxx]
Climate data, including related to coastal and marine conditions, is available on:
Several regions also maintain relevant information systems:
  • One region, Emilia Romagna, has set up an information system for the coast and sea: Sistema informativodel Mare e della Costa (SIC). The system at present does not appear to be available for public consultation.[xxxi]
  • The environment agency of the Friuli Venezia-Giulia Region has set up a web-based GIS on maritime uses in the northern Adriatic, AdriBlu, that includes information such as fishing areas and resources, offshore platforms and marine protected areas:

V. Transboundary cooperation
V.1 Regional sea level
Agreements
Italy has signed but not yet ratified the ICZM Protocol under the Barcelona Convention.
Programmes and projects
According to the Priority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) of the UN Mediterranean Action Programme (MAP), a series of CAMP projects – which focus on coastal management – are to be launched in 4-5 regions of Italy.
V.2 EU initiatives
Italy participates in the following EU initiatives:
  • A maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas(COM(2012) 713 final): This initiative moves toward a maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas to boost the region’s growth. The initiative brings together Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia, as well as one candidate country (Montenegro) and two potential candidate countries (Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina). The workrests on 4 pillars: a stronger blue economy, a healthier marine environment, a safer maritime space, and responsible fishing activities.The strategy will be implemented through an Action Plan to be jointly developed with the region's stakeholders.[xxxii].
  • The Adriatic-Ionian EuroRegion, which brings together Italy’s Adriatic and Ionian regions with regional and local governments in Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. In mid-2013, a macro-regional strategy was in preparation: this will support the identification of priorities for future Operational Programmes to be financed via EU regional and other funds.[xxxiii]
  • The ADRiatic Ionian maritime spatial PLANning (ADRIPLAN) project was launched in December 2013 (the information could not be found yet in January 2014). It is a project funded by the EC-DG MARE under the theme “MSP in the Mediterranean sea and/or the Black Sea. The purpose of the project is to support and improve the ongoing process to develop MSP in the region, to overcome barriers of full participation of all neighbouring countries and promote technically/scientifically based political decisions. The project will develop proposals and recommendations for MSP in the Macroregion, and it will support the development of the Action Plan implementing the Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.[xxxiv]
See also the EU projects listed in Annex I.
V.3 Other regional sea and transboundary Initiatives
Italy participates in the following marine and coastal initiatives with neighbouring countries:
  • The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, launched in 2000 and related to the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. The Initiative brings together Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Serbia andMontenegro, Slovenia; one of its five activity areas addresses transport and maritime cooperation. The EU Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region is slated to co-operate with the Initiative.[xxxv]
  • The Ramoge Agreement for Coastal Protection and Management: The agreement covers the coast of the Liguria Region (Italy) and the neighbouring French Mediterranean coast as well as that of Monaco. Italian partners include the national MoE, the Liguria Region and the University of Genoa. The partners commit to implementing the ICZM Protocol. Activities have included a pilot action for the environmental management of touristic ports.[xxxvi]
  • The Adriatic Sea Partnership, which brings together Italy (MoE) with partners in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia as well as the Regional Environmental Center, UNEP, UNESCO and other international organisations and NGOs. (It is not clear if the Partnership is currently active.)[xxxvii]
  • The Joint Commission for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea and coastal areas was established in 1977 under the Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea and Coastal Areas from Pollution, between the former Yugoslavia and Italy. Current members of the Commission are: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Montenegro.[xxxviii]
Italian research organisations, NGOs and others participate in:
  • The Mediterranean Small Islands Initiative, led by the French Coastal Protection Agency (Conservatoire du Littoral). The Initiative brings together partners in: Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia. Italian partners include: Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano and Area Marina Protetta di Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo.[xxxix]
  • MedPAN[xl], the network of Mediterranean marine protected area managers.
  • GWP Med: The Global Water Partnership Med’s mission is to promote action and exchange knowledge on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with the aim to help Mediterranean countries to connect water resources planning and operations at different scales (regional, transboundary, national, basin and local).
  • Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development – (MIO-ECSDE): a non-profit Federation of Mediterranean Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for Environment and Sustainable Development based in Athens, Greece.

Sources and further information
Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea – web site: (pages on ICZM and adaptation)
Web sites of selected regions (see endnotes)

[i] Policy Research Corporation, Exploring the potential for spatial planning in the Mediterranean: Country reports – Italy, 2011