Climate Change & Renewable Energy in Italy

If you would like to listen to our interview, the podcast episode is available at this link (italian version). For english version: here.

Thank you Nicolo for joining the interview. Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Nicolò Trucco, and I am the Italian representative of EKOenergy, an international non-profit eco-label for energy based in Helsinki. As a volunteer with the European Solidarity Corps and the Italian contact for EKOenergy, my main role is to facilitate communication and collaboration between EKOenergy and its Italian partners.

Before starting this experience, I completed my studies at ITS Energia, where I gained specialized skills in renewable energy and sustainable building management. The Higher Technical Institutes (ITS) in the energy sector represent an important reality in the Italian education landscape, offering highly specialized courses on topics such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable resource management, and technological innovation in the energy field.

How is climate change’s effects on Italy?

The climate crisis is important because it affects everything on Earth. Higher temperatures cause severe weather, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels, which can flood coastal areas and harm wildlife. It also hurts our economy by damaging crops, buildings, and increasing energy costs. Health is at risk with more heat-related illnesses and diseases spreading in warmer climates. Socially, it can lead to more people moving away from affected areas and increase conflicts over resources. We also must protect the planet for future generations. If we don’t act now, some changes could become irreversible. Solving the climate crisis can create jobs, promote clean energy, and ensure a better future for everyone. Taking action now is crucial to protect our planet and its resources.

Sustainability means using resources wisely so we don’t run out and future generations can thrive. It’s about protecting the environment, supporting a healthy economy, and ensuring fairness for everyone. Governments can help by making laws to limit pollution and offering incentives for green practices. Businesses can adopt eco-friendly practices like using renewable energy and reducing waste. Individuals can make a difference by conserving water and energy, choosing sustainable products, and recycling. Communities can plan cities with green spaces and efficient public transport. Examples include using solar power, building energy-efficient homes, and practising sustainable farming. Together, these efforts create a balanced and lasting way to live.

Climate Change in Italy

Po Valley

The Po Valley is one of the most polluted areas in Europe, due to a combination of geographic, industrial, and agricultural factors. Contributing factors to pollution include geographic conditions: the Po Valley is surrounded by the Alps and the Apennines, where atmospheric pollutants tend to accumulate. The lack of wind and frequent fog worsen the situation, trapping pollutants near the ground. The area is densely populated and heavily industrialized, with a highly developed transportation network. Industrial emissions and vehicles are among the main sources of air pollution.

In recent years, Italy has experienced various consequences of climate change with significant impacts on several sectors.

Some of the main consequences are:

Temperature Increase: Italy has recorded a significant rise in average temperatures, with hotter summers and milder winters. This has led to frequent and intense heat waves, negatively impacting public health and quality of life, especially in urban areas. In 2022, Italy experienced one of its hottest summers, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several regions. This situation caused an increase in hospital admissions due to heat strokes and dehydration, particularly among the elderly.

Extreme Weather Events: The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as thunderstorms, downpours, floods, and droughts have increased, causing damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture. In 2019, Venice experienced one of the worst floods in decades, with a high water peak of 187 cm, causing significant damage to historic buildings and homes. In May 2023, Emilia-Romagna was hit by a devastating flood caused by incessant and intense rains. The region saw an accumulation of precipitation far exceeding the monthly average, with peaks of over 200 mm in a few days. Various rivers overflowed, causing floods in cities like Bologna, Modena, and Cesena. The flood caused several fatalities, and thousands of people were forced to leave their homes. Roads, bridges, and railways were severely damaged. Many public and private buildings were flooded, with damages amounting to hundreds of millions of euros. Crops and farms suffered significant losses, with flooded fields and destroyed harvests.

Drought and Water Scarcity: The decrease in rainfall in some regions, combined with higher temperatures, has led to prolonged periods of drought. This has severely impacted agriculture, reducing water availability for irrigation and causing a decrease in crop yields.

Impact on Agriculture: Some traditional crops have become less productive due to adverse climatic conditions, while others could be introduced thanks to milder temperatures. However, adaptation requires time and resources. In 2017, due to a combination of spring frosts and summer heat waves, wine production decreased by 23%. Winemakers had to adapt by modifying agricultural practices and seeking grape varieties more resistant to heat.

Glacier Retreat: Alpine glaciers are rapidly retreating, with consequences for the availability of fresh water during the summer months. From 2002 to 2020, the Miage Glacier on Mont Blanc lost a significant amount of glacial mass, contributing to the decrease in freshwater reserves and altering the flow of alpine rivers.

Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Climate change is altering natural habitats, putting many animal and plant species at risk. Some species are moving their range northward or to higher altitudes, while others are suffering due to changing conditions. For example, in the Gran Paradiso National Park, species like the ibex and alpine marmot are seeing their natural habitat shrink due to rising temperatures and decreasing snow cover.

Public Health: Heat waves and the increase in air pollutants, such as tropospheric ozone, can exacerbate health issues like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue fever and malaria, could increase.

EKOenergy ecolabel

EKOenergy ecolabel ensures electricity is generated from renewable sources with additional environmental criteria. Companies benefit from using this label because it demonstrates their commitment to supporting sustainable energy production. EKOenergy eco-labelled energy helps businesses meet corporate social responsibility goals, attract environmentally conscious customers, and differentiate themselves in the market. Energy providers offering EKOenergy to customers… to customers allows companies to promote renewable energy, educate consumers about sustainability, and contribute to a cleaner energy future. This label supports the transition to a low-carbon economy by increasing demand for renewable energy and supporting projects providing new renewable energy projects in low- and middle-income countries.

It serves to inform consumers and businesses about the label and helps consumers find products and services using renewable energy that fulfils the criteria set by nature protection organizations. In contrast, the Guarantee of Origin (GO) and Energy Attribute Certificate (EAC) certifications specifically verify the renewable origin and environmental attributes of energy (electricity) produced from renewable sources. These certifications are crucial in energy markets for ensuring transparency and credibility in claims of renewable energy use, providing proof of renewable energy generation and associated environmental benefits like carbon emissions reductions. So we can say GO is a passport but EKOenergy ecolabel is a diploma for companies.

The price of the EKOenergy eco-label is always fixed at 0.18 cents per megawatt-hour. Of this amount, 0.10 cents is allocated to funds for renewable energy projects in Low- and middle-income countries as funding.

Climate Fund and Italian NGOs

The EKOenergy Climate Fund allocates 0.10 euro cents per megawatt-hour from purchases of EKOenergy-eco labelled electricity to support renewable energy projects in low and middle-income countries, particularly focusing on communities e.g. living outside national grids and/or lacking a consistent source for clean and affordable energy. To verify the efficient use of these funds, EKOenergy applies project selection criteria, ensuring projects align with sustainable development goals and provide CO2 emissions reductions and community benefits. Transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place to provide stakeholders with regular updates on project progress and environmental outcomes.

AMANI

Amani is an Italian non-governmental organization founded in 1995. Its main objective is to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people, especially children and young people, through educational, health, and community development programs, with a focus on Africa.

In 2020, EKOenergy granted €20,000 to the Italian NGO Amani for the installation of solar panels in two shelters for children on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. These shelters, Kivuli Centre and Anita’s Home, serve 50 vulnerable boys and 28 girls, respectively, providing them with a safe place and various community resources, such as a library, wells, a carpentry workshop, a medical dispensary, and a local radio station.

Thanks to the funding received, Amani managed to install a 29.7 kWp solar system at the Kivuli Centre and a 6.3 kWp one at Anita’s Home, reducing reliance on costly and unreliable diesel generators. These solar systems provide reliable daytime energy and contribute to improving the quality of services offered at the centres.

Istituto Oikos

Istituto Oikos is an Italian non-governmental organization founded in 1996. It is involved in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development projects in various parts of the world. The institute’s activities include natural resource management, promotion of sustainable resource use, environmental education, and support for local communities. The main goal is to preserve the natural environment and improve the quality of life for local populations through sustainable development projects.

In the Arusha region of northern Tanzania, many schools lack electricity, forcing students to use kerosene lamps, which are hazardous to health and pose a fire risk. To address this problem, the Italian organization Istituto Oikos received EU funding in 2011 to install a small hydroelectric turbine near the Ngarenanyuki secondary school. This turbine provides electricity to the school, but the variable water flow causes interruptions during the dry season.

In 2015, EKOenergy contributed €10,000 to add 3 kW of solar panels to the school’s energy system, improving the reliability of electricity access thanks to an intelligent inverter developed by the Politecnico di Milano. This success led Oikos to launch a project to install solar panels in 20 schools in the Arusha region. In 2016, EKOenergy supported the project with an additional €30,000, allowing installation in another 5 schools. This collaboration aims to provide sustainable and reliable electricity, improve educational conditions and reduce health and safety risks.

What does the Italian government do and what is the recent news in the sector?

In Italy, the government has introduced laws and regulations to promote energy efficiency, incentivize the use of renewable energies, and reduce environmental impact. These initiatives include regulations for low-energy buildings, tax incentives for sustainable technologies, and measures to protect sensitive ecosystems.

Here are some strategies:

National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (SNAC)

In 2015, Italy began addressing climate change by adopting the National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (SNAC). This strategy assessed the effects and vulnerabilities of climate change on various environmental and economic sectors, proposing actions to mitigate impacts.

Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate (PNIEC)

The PNIEC represents Italy’s main plan for energy and climate transition. It was adopted to align with EU objectives and the Paris Agreement, aiming to increase the share of energy from renewable sources, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)

Launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PNRR includes significant investments for green transition and sustainability. These investments cover clean energy projects, sustainable mobility, building energy efficiency, and protection and restoration of the natural environment.

In the private sector, individuals are improving home insulation, industries are adopting efficient technologies, and there is growing interest in energy-saving vehicles. These actions have resulted in significant energy savings, emissions reductions, and economic savings for everyone, contributing to Italy’s progress towards a more sustainable future.

Recently, Italy has made substantial investments in renewable energies, focusing on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. The government has set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, aiming for 30% by 2030. Parliamentary goals include enhancing grid infrastructure to support renewable integration, providing incentives for solar panel installations, and expanding offshore wind projects. Additionally, Italy is investing in energy storage technologies to ensure stable supply. These efforts are part of Italy’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy security, and transition to a sustainable energy system.

Energy sources in Italy are classified into renewable and non-renewable categories. Renewable sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy, while non-renewable sources mainly include natural gas, oil, and coal. Investments should focus on enhancing renewable energy infrastructure, such as expanding solar and wind farms, upgrading grid systems to manage more renewable energy, and developing energy storage solutions. Additionally, investing in research and development for innovative renewable technologies and improving energy efficiency across all sectors are crucial for Italy’s sustainable energy future.

Recent developments in Italy’s renewable energy and sustainability sectors have seen significant investments and initiatives. Italy continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, with momentum building in solar and wind projects. The country’s commitment to sustainability is evident through the increased adoption of eco-friendly practices in industries and municipalities, emphasizing high-energy-efficiency buildings and sustainable transportation solutions. Advancements in technology, like smart grids and electric vehicles, are also receiving attention, reflecting Italy’s efforts to integrate clean energy technologies and reduce carbon emissions. For the latest updates and specific investment opportunities, monitoring reliable financial news sources and industry reports is recommended to stay informed about Italy’s evolving landscape in these sectors.