Italy: environment

How much greenhouse gas does Italy emit?

Italy emitted 363 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent) in 2024, down from 520 million in 1990, a fall of 30.2%, according to ISPRA's page on emission trends. The figures exclude land use and forestry.

ISPRA links the long-term fall to lower energy use and industrial output, more renewables, efficiency gains and switching to lower-carbon fuels. It expects emissions to rise slightly in 2025 because more gas was burnt for electricity while hydroelectric output fell.

Official sources: ISPRA: greenhouse gas emission trends (Italian)

How much CO2 does Italy's power sector emit?

CO2 emissions from Italy's electricity sector were an estimated 70.7 million tonnes in 2025, 4.2% more than in 2024, according to ISPRA's 2026 report on the power sector. Of that, 58.6 million tonnes came from electricity generation and 12.1 million from heat production.

Between 1990 and 2025, CO2 from electricity generation fell 48.8% while the amount of electricity produced rose 28.2%. The report also calculates national emission factors, the CO2 released per unit of electricity produced and consumed.

Official sources: ISPRA: power sector CO2 emissions, 2026 edition (Italian)

How much of Italy's energy comes from renewables?

Renewables supplied 19.4% of Italy's gross final energy consumption in 2024, broadly the same as in 2023, according to Istat's 2026 SDGs report. In electricity the share was higher, 41.7% of gross inland consumption.

Istat reports that renewables have grown more slowly than the path set in Italy's National Energy and Climate Plan, and that their share fell slightly in heating and cooling and in transport. Electric and hybrid cars made up 12.7% of new registrations in 2025.

Official sources: Istat: 2026 SDGs report (PDF)

Does Italy have problems with its water supply?

More than a million residents of Italy's provincial and metropolitan capitals were affected by water rationing in 2024, 5.8% of their population, up from 760,000 in 2023, according to Istat's water statistics focus of March 2026. The worst situations were in the South, especially Sicily.

In 2025, 10.2% of households reported irregular water supply, and three in 10 did not trust tap water. Italy withdrew 8.87 billion cubic metres for public supply in 2024, the lowest in 25 years.

Official sources: Istat: water statistics 2023–2025 (PDF)

How much does Italy raise in environmental taxes?

Italy raised €54.4 billion in environmental taxes in 2023, 19.6% more than in 2022, with a further rise of 11.2% in 2024, according to Istat's environment and economy indicators of 24 February 2026. Energy taxes made up 79% of environmental taxes in 2024.

Environmental taxes are taxes on things that harm the environment, mainly energy products such as fuel, but also transport and pollution. The same release shows greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.8% in 2024 while GDP grew 0.7%.

Official sources: Istat: environment and economy indicators 2023–2024 (PDF)

How clean is the air in Italy?

The average person in Italy was exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of 14.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, down from 16.2 in 2022, according to the World Bank's PM2.5 exposure indicator.

The indicator is a modelled, population-weighted annual average, so it hides differences between regions and cities. ISPRA and regional environment agencies publish measured air quality data.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Italy

What are Italy's CO2 emissions per person?

5.1 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Italy for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 5.0 tonnes (2020) to 8.5 tonnes (2005). It is 23rd highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.1 tonnes. Worldwide: 48th of 186.

What are Italy's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Italy was 371 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Italy placed 6th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 25th of 186.

What share of Italy's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 17.5%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.7% (2005) to 18.7% (2020). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Italy placed 32nd highest of 50. World rank, highest first: 116th of 191.

How much of Italy is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Italy was 31.8%, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 33.2%; Italy is 30th highest of 51. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 100th highest.

What is air pollution like in Italy?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 14.3 micrograms per cubic metre. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre; Italy is 22nd highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 122nd of 192.

How much of Italy's land is protected?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Italy was 21.5% in 2025. Since 2013 it has ranged from 21.4% (2013) to 21.6% (2022). It is 29th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. World rank, highest first: 75th of 192.

Is Italy short of water?

The FAO puts water stress in Italy at 29.8% in 2022. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 47.2%; its low point was 2007, at 29.4%. It is 16th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 12.6%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 53rd highest.