Italy

1. Overview

Italy's Strategia Nazionale per la Biodiversità 2030 (National Biodiversity Strategy 2030, SNB 2030) is the country's second biodiversity strategy, succeeding the SNB 2011–2020 [§4]. It is developed within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (ratified by Law No. 124 of 14 February 1994) and is aligned with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, and Italy's Plan for the Ecological Transition (Piano per la Transizione Ecologica, PTE) [§4].

The foreword cites Constitutional Law No. 1 of 11 February 2022, which inserted "the protection of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems, also in the interest of future generations" into the fundamental principles of Article 9 of the Italian Constitution, and amended Article 41 so that private economic initiative must be carried out "in a manner that does not cause harm to health and the environment" and be directed toward environmental purposes [§4].

The Strategy carries over its 2050 Vision from the previous cycle: biodiversity and ecosystem services "are conserved, valued and, as far as possible, restored, for their intrinsic value and so that they can continue to sustainably support economic prosperity and human well-being" [§23]. The SNB 2030 is structured around two Strategic Objectives broken down into 8 Areas of Intervention [§23]:* Strategic Objective A — build a coherent network of terrestrial and marine protected areas; Strategic Objective B — restore terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Beneath these, the country sets 18 Specific Objectives (A.1–A.5 and B.1–B.13)** that operationalise delivery, supported by "Biodiversity Vectors" — cross-cutting enablers covering enforcement, finance, the circular economy, knowledge, and civil-society engagement [§110, §112, §113, §115, §116].***

* Italy's SNB 2030 is organised around two Strategic Objectives (protected areas; ecosystem restoration), broken down into 8 Areas of Intervention. These operate at a higher level than individual GBF Targets.

** Italy expresses its national commitments as "Specific Objectives" (A.1–A.5 for protected areas; B.1–B.13 for restoration). This page uses "national commitment" as the KMGBF-equivalent term. The Specific Objectives list in the source skips from B.11 to B.13; content for B.12 is carried by the marine action chapter (Actions B12.1–B12.6).

*** The SNB 2030 identifies "Biodiversity Vectors" as cross-cutting enablers that cut across the two Strategic Objectives.

Indicators presented in the document are described as preliminary****: §27 states that "specific indicators for monitoring the achievement of the Strategy's objectives will be defined" later, drawing on the preliminary indicators identified in the document and on those being defined at EU level. A review of the Strategy is scheduled for 2026, synchronised with the review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 [§27].

**** The NBSAP flags its indicator set as preliminary — final indicators are to be adopted in the "Implementation Programme" after approval by the State–Regions Conference.

Italy's SNB 2030 anchors biodiversity in a 2022 constitutional amendment, organises delivery through 18 Specific Objectives and 21 regional Prioritised Action Frameworks, and adopts the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030's quantified finance architecture — including a commitment that at least 10% of the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework be dedicated to biodiversity by 2026. Final indicators and a full Implementation Programme are deferred to post-adoption governance, with a formal mid-term review in 2026.

Sources:

• §4 — Foreword
• §23 — The National Biodiversity Strategy 2030 > Structure and Vision
• §27 — Governance and Implementation
• §110, §112, §113, §115, §116 — Biodiversity Vectors

---

2. Ecological Context

The final report of the SNB 2011–2020 concluded that "the overall assessments of the conservation status of biodiversity in Italy are not positive: in general terms, it has not been possible to halt its decline" [§41]. The IV Report on Natural Capital in Italy describes the state of biodiversity as concerning, particularly in the Po Valley, Tyrrhenian, and Adriatic Ecoregions [§4]. Identified pressures are territorial fragmentation and land consumption, intensive agriculture, pollution, habitat degradation, overexploitation and illegal taking of species, invasive alien species, and climate change [§41].

Protected areas. National and regional protected areas together with the Natura 2000 network cover nearly 10,500,000 ha — more than 20% of the national terrestrial surface and more than 10% of the marine area under Italian jurisdiction (EUAP 2010; Natura 2000 Database December 2021) [§29]. The network is described as "not sufficiently extensive and interconnected" to safeguard biodiversity adequately [§29].

Forests. Forest area reaches approximately 11 million hectares — almost 40% of the national territory — driven by active afforestation and by natural vegetation succession onto abandoned croplands and pastures [§58]. Forest area within protected areas and Natura 2000 amounts to 3,857,652 ha, or 32% of all Italian forests, placing Italy "among the countries with the highest percentage of protected forests" in Europe (MIPAAF 2019) [§58]. Forests have been subject to hydrogeological constraints for 100 years (from 1923) and to landscape constraints for nearly 40 years (from 1985) [§58]. Over the last twenty years, prolonged droughts and late and early frosts are causing an increase in fires, storms, extreme events, and pest attacks [§58].

Agricultural landscapes. In 2016, landscape features (10%) and terraces (3%) covered 13% of the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA), with approximately 80% of terraced areas in a state of abandonment (DG Agri, 2019) [§49]. Italy is the third country in Europe by organic area after Spain and France; in 2020, 81,731 operators used the organic production method, and organic areas accounted for 16.6% of the total Italian UAA (SINAB) [§49]. Distribution is uneven: intensive livestock farming in the Po-Veneto Plain has caused "the disappearance of entire oligotrophic ecosystems (heathlands and oligotrophic aquatic ecosystems)" through dispersal of livestock effluents [§49].

Waters. Approximately 42% of surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, transitional, and coastal-marine) meet the "good" ecological status objective, and 72% meet the "good" chemical status objective; for 18–19% of water bodies, data have not been transmitted [§81]. For groundwater, 61% of monitored bodies are in good quantitative status, 14% fail, and 25% are in unknown status; 58% are in good chemical status [§81]. Principal pressures are pollution from agriculture, inadequately treated effluents, abstractions, and hydromorphological alterations [§81].

Marine ecosystems. The degradation process "has not only not been halted but is proceeding at alarming rates" [§90]. Pressures identified include overexploitation of fish species, unsustainable development of the blue economy, bycatch, illegal fishing, invasive alien species, and pollution — "particularly plastics" [§90]. Italy transposed the Marine Strategy Framework Directive through Legislative Decree 190/2010 [§90].

Soil. Soil hosts approximately 25% of global biodiversity [§100]. Approximately 28% of the Italian territory "presents one or more causes of degradation", and in 2020 soil impermeabilisation reached approximately 7.11% artificial coverage of the national territory (ISPRA/SNPA 2021) [§100].

Sources:

• §29 — Knowledge Framework (Protected areas system and Natura 2000)
• §41 — Knowledge Framework (Biodiversity status and pressures)
• §49 — Knowledge Framework (Agriculture, organic farming, landscape features)
• §58 — Knowledge Framework (Forest ecosystems)
• §81 — Knowledge Framework (Inland and groundwaters)
• §90 — Knowledge Framework (Marine ecosystems)
• §100 — Knowledge Framework (Soil and land consumption)

---

3. National Commitments and GBF Alignment

The SNB 2030 sets 18 national commitments organised under two Strategic Objectives. They are presented below grouped by theme and mapped to the KMGBF.

Strategic Objective A — A coherent network of protected areas

A.1 — 30/30 legal protection [§28]. Italy commits to legally protecting "at least 30% of the terrestrial area and 30% of the marine area" through an integrated system of protected areas, the Natura 2000 network, and other legally protected areas. Measurable commitment (threshold + scope). Maps to GBF Target 3. Delivery runs through the Framework Law on Protected Areas (Law 394/1991), the Natura 2000 network (Presidential Decree 357/1997 transposing the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC), and formal identification of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) against CBD and IUCN criteria [§30, §35]. Indicators track extent of legally protected and strictly protected terrestrial and marine areas drawn from the CDDA, EUAP, and Natura 2000 databases [§33].

A.2 — One-third strict protection [§28]. "At least one third of legally protected terrestrial areas (including all primary and old-growth forests) and marine areas are strictly protected". Measurable commitment. Maps to GBF Target 3. A National Network of Old-Growth Forests (Rete nazionale dei boschi vetusti) is to be established under Article 7 of Legislative Decree 34/2018 (Consolidated Act on Forests, "TUFF"), guided by the 2021 Guidelines for the identification of old-growth forests; carbon-rich ecosystems (peatlands, grasslands, wetlands, seagrass meadows, algae and calcifying marine ecosystems) are flagged for priority strict protection [§35].

A.3 — Ecological connectivity [§28]. Directional aspiration. Maps to GBF Targets 1 and 2. A National Ecological Network is to be defined in agreement with the 21 Regions and Autonomous Provinces, with ecological corridors linking protected areas, Natura 2000 sites, and OECMs, integrated into Regional Landscape Plans (Piani Paesaggistici Regionali) anchored in the European Landscape Convention [§36].

A.4 — Effective management [§28]. Directional aspiration. Maps to GBF Target 3. All protected areas contributing to the 30% objective are to be equipped with clear conservation objectives and measures, integration of Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directive objectives, and a common monitoring system supported by the NRRP "Digitalisation of National Parks" (Digitalizzazione dei Parchi Nazionali) project [§37].

A.5 — Adequate funding [§28]. Directional aspiration. Maps to GBF Target 19. Delivery is anchored in the Partnership Agreement for Cohesion Policy 2021–2027, the CAP National Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the 21 regional Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAFs) 2021–2027, and bespoke fiscal instruments including Environmental Economic Zones (ZEA) coinciding with National Parks and the 5 per mille of IRPEF tax allocation for managing bodies [§38].

Strategic Objective B — Ecosystem restoration

B.1 — Species and habitats recovery [§40]. "At least 30% of species and habitats protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives whose conservation status is currently unfavourable achieve favourable status by 2030 or show a clear positive trend." Measurable commitment (threshold + deadline). Maps to GBF Target 4. Progress is tracked through Article 17 (Habitats) and Article 12 (Birds) reports, with an effective monitoring plan integrated with MSFD, Natura 2000, and WFD data [§47, §45].

B.2 — Non-deterioration and restoration of degraded ecosystems [§40]. Directional aspiration pending definition of thresholds by the forthcoming EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Maps to GBF Target 2. Flagship deliverables include the NRRP project "Renaturalisation of the Po area" (Rinaturazione dell'area del Po), a national ecosystem restoration plan with regional implementations, and allocation of a share of hydraulic policing fees to river renaturalisation [§47].

B.3 — Invasive alien species [§40]. "A 50% reduction in the number of species on national Red Lists threatened by invasive alien species." Measurable commitment. Maps to GBF Target 6. Action plans on priority pathways are required under EU Regulation 1143/2014 (Legislative Decree 230/2017); Italy commits to ratification of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention and full implementation of a National Focal Point for alien and harmful aquatic species [§47].

B.4 — Reverse pollinator decline [§48]. Directional aspiration. Maps to GBF Target 4 (and Target 7 via pesticide limb). A National Plan for the conservation of pollinators is to include coordinated monitoring with citizen-science networks, alignment with the EU Pollinator Monitoring scheme (EU-PoMs), and preparation of Red Lists for Hoverflies (Syrphidae) and Heterocera Lepidoptera (moths) [§55].

B.5 — 50% reduction in risk and use of plant protection products [§48]. Measurable commitment. Maps to GBF Target 7. Delivered through a revised National Action Plan on Plant Protection Products (PAN) transposing Directive 2009/128/EC (Legislative Decree 150/2012), with a measurable 2030 target to be set during revision — an interim commitment until adoption [§50, §55].

B.6 — 10% of agricultural areas to high-diversity landscape features [§48]. Measurable commitment. Maps to GBF Target 10. Integrated into the national ecological-network instrument and a dedicated CAP 2023–2027 eco-scheme for green-infrastructure maintenance [§37, §55].

B.7 — 25% of agricultural land to organic farming [§48]. Measurable commitment. Maps to GBF Target 10. Delivered through Regulation (EU) 2018/848, the National Strategic Plan for the Development of the Organic System, Law 23/2022 on organic production, and a PAN revision proposing an 80% increase in organic area within protected areas and Natura 2000 sites relative to 2018 UAA [§50, §55]. A coupled commitment is to reduce livestock antibiotic consumption by 50% relative to 2020 [§55].

B.8 — 50% reduction in nutrient losses; 20% reduction in fertiliser use [§48]. Measurable commitments. Maps to GBF Target 7. Delivered through the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP), Inter-ministerial Decree 5046/2016 transposing the Nitrates Directive, and Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [§50, §55].

B.9 — Forests [§57]. Forests "characterised by greater ecosystem functionality, more resilient and less fragmented, actively contributing to the EU target of planting at least 3 billion trees." Directional aspiration (the 3bn-tree figure is an EU, not a national, threshold). Maps to GBF Target 10 (also Target 8). Delivered through the National Forest Strategy and Legislative Decree 34/2018 (TUFF) [§60, §64].

B.10 — Urban biodiversity [§69]. "Halt the loss of urban and peri-urban green ecosystems and urban biodiversity." Directional aspiration as a headline commitment; a delivery threshold requires all cities with at least 20,000 inhabitants to develop an urban greening plan integrating Nature-Based Solutions [§77]. Maps to GBF Targets 11 and 12. The SNB 2030 explicitly shifts measurement from counting plants (Law 10/2013 "3 billion / 60 million") to canopy cover and photosynthetically active area [§77]. The NRRP "Protection and enhancement of urban and extra-urban green spaces" project supports delivery [§77].

B.11 — "Good status" of all waters by 2027 [§80]. Measurable commitment (threshold + deadline). Maps to GBF Targets 2, 7, and 11. Delivered through the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, Floods Directive 2007/60/EC (Legislative Decree 49/2010), River Basin District Management Plans, and the EU objective of restoring the free flow of at least 25,000 km of rivers [§82, §89].

B.12 — Marine ecosystems (action-level). The Specific Objectives list skips from B.11 to B.13; B.12 is expressed at the action level through Actions B12.1–B12.6 [§96–§98]. Maps to GBF Targets 3, 5, 6, and 8. Delivery combines the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC, Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU (Legislative Decree 201/2016), the Common Fisheries Policy, updated multi-annual fisheries management plans with Fisheries Restricted Areas, fisheries co-management consortia with potential Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURFs), Allocated Zones for Aquaculture (AZA), and the NRRP "Restoration and protection of seabeds and marine habitats" project [§96–§98].

B.13 — Land degradation neutrality [§99]. "Achieve land degradation neutrality and a net zero increase in land consumption." Directional aspiration pending the pledged national law on land consumption (Action B13.1). Maps to GBF Targets 1 and 2. Reference indicators include SDG 15.3.1, the Land Degradation Neutrality sub-indicators (land cover, soil organic carbon, soil productivity), and the Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS) [§105, §107].

Sources:

• §28 — Protected Areas > Specific Objectives A.1–A.5
• §33, §45, §53, §62, §74, §86, §94, §105 — Indicators per thematic area
• §35, §36, §37, §38, §39 — Actions under Objective A
• §40, §47, §48, §55, §56 — Actions and Specific Objectives B.1–B.8
• §57, §60, §64, §65, §68 — Forests
• §69, §77, §78 — Urban
• §80, §89 — Freshwater
• §96, §97, §98 — Marine
• §99, §105, §107 — Soil

---

4. Delivery Architecture

Framework legislation. The national legal architecture rests on the Framework Law on Protected Areas (Law 394/1991), the Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape (Legislative Decree 42/2004), the Environmental Code (Legislative Decree 152/2006), and the Consolidated Act on Forests and Forest Supply Chains (Legislative Decree 34/2018, "TUFF") [§30, §42, §59]. Habitat and species protection is delivered through Presidential Decree 357/1997 implementing the Habitats Directive and the Ministerial Decree of 17 October 2007 setting uniform minimum criteria for Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas [§30]. Application of the Appropriate Assessment procedure (Valutazione di Incidenza, VIncA) is steered by the 2019 National Guidelines, and VIncA is integrated into Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures [§31, §110].

Protected areas and connectivity. Delivery of 30/30 combines Law 394/1991, the Natura 2000 network, formally designated OECMs, and a National Ecological Network agreed with the 21 Regions and Autonomous Provinces [§35, §36]. Regional ecological networks are updated in line with the national instrument and integrated into Regional Landscape Plans anchored in the European Landscape Convention [§36].

NRRP-funded biodiversity interventions. Four named National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, PNRR) projects serve as flagship delivery vehicles: "Digitalisation of National Parks" (common monitoring system for PAs) [§37]; "Renaturalisation of the Po area" (the Po river corridor) [§47]; "Restoration and protection of seabeds and marine habitats" [§96]; and "Protection and enhancement of urban and extra-urban green spaces" [§77].

Agriculture and pollinators. Delivery combines the CAP National Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (with dedicated eco-schemes), Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and Law 23/2022 on organic farming, the revised PAN on plant protection products, the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan, and the National Quality System for Integrated Production (SQNPI) under Law 4/2011 [§50, §55]. Agrobiodiversity is anchored in Law 194/2015 and the National Register of rural landscapes of historical interest [§50, §56].

Forests. Sectoral planning runs through the National Forest Strategy, Regional forestry programmes, Territorial forestry guidance plans, and forest management plans under Article 6 of Legislative Decree 34/2018; Italy contributes to the EU 3-billion-trees target and promotes agroforestry within the CAP [§60, §68]. Regulatory anchors include Regulation (EU) 995/2010, the FLEGT licensing scheme, and Regulation (EU) 2018/841 (LULUCF) [§59].

Marine, fisheries, aquaculture. Delivery combines MSFD (Legislative Decree 190/2010), MSPD (Legislative Decree 201/2016), Law 979/1982, the Common Fisheries Policy, Regulation (EU) 2019/1241, the Barcelona Convention SPA/BD Protocol, the ACCOBAMS Agreement on cetaceans, and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) [§91, §92, §126].

Soil and land use. Anchored in the UNCCD, the European Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, the pledged national law on land consumption, and CAP post-2020 Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC). Urban regeneration applies the "Land take hierarchy" of the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 [§101, §107, §108].

Biodiversity Vectors. Five cross-cutting enablers frame implementation: strengthening enforcement; mobilising finance; promoting the circular economy (Directive (EU) 2019/904, Legislative Decree 196/2021); knowledge, research, and education through the National Biodiversity Network (NNB) and National Environmental Information System (SinA) integrated with the Mirror Copernicus programme; and active involvement of civil society [§110–§116].

Sources:

• §30, §31 — Protected Areas > Instruments
• §35, §36, §37 — Actions A1–A3
• §47 — Restoration actions B.1–B.3
• §50, §55, §56 — Agriculture
• §59, §60, §68 — Forests
• §77 — Urban
• §91, §92, §96 — Marine
• §101, §107, §108 — Soil
• §110–§116 — Biodiversity Vectors
• §126 — Barcelona Convention

---

4a. Regional delivery: the 21 PAFs and the State–Regions Conference

Italy is a federal-type delivery system in which biodiversity implementation is devolved to 21 Regions and Autonomous Provinces, each producing a Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) 2021–2027 setting out measures and financial needs for Natura 2000 under Article 8 of the Habitats Directive [§38, §112]. PAFs draw on five EU instruments: ERDF, ESF, EMFAF, EAFRD, and LIFE [§38]. Regional ecological networks are integrated into Regional Landscape Plans (Piani Paesaggistici Regionali), anchored in the European Landscape Convention ratified by Law 14/2006 [§36].

Cross-sector governance is structured around a management committee of ministries and regions and a stakeholder consultation forum [§27]. The first executive deliverable is an "Implementation Programme" identifying, for each action in the Strategy, the timetable, responsible and implementing bodies, and financial sources. This Programme is submitted for approval by the State–Regions Conference — the constitutional forum for coordination between central and regional government — after which specific monitoring indicators are defined on the basis of the preliminary indicators in the document and those being developed at EU level [§27].

A programmed review of the Strategy's validity and adjustment needs is scheduled for 2026, timed to coincide with the review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 [§27]. Regional PAF implementation requires strengthened coordination across Ministries responsible for fund management and across regional departments, including during operational-programme reprogramming [§38, §112].

---

5. Monitoring and Accountability

Governance. Implementation is organised around a management committee of ministries and regions and a stakeholder consultation forum, supported by a secretariat managed by the PNM Directorate of MiTE and a technical/scientific secretariat delivered by ISPRA [§27]. The governance bodies build on those of the SNB 2011–2020, with redefined composition "to increase co-responsibility in implementation and make participation more active and proactive" [§27].

Reporting cycle. The management committee is required to conduct a constant review of progress, reported in an annual accountability report [§27]. The forward-dated 2026 review is explicitly linked to the analogous review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 [§27].

Indicator framework. The SNB 2030 presents a preliminary indicator suite organised by thematic area, drawing on existing national and European data systems:

• Protected areas: extent of legally protected and strictly protected terrestrial and marine areas (CDDA, EUAP, Natura 2000 Database); old-growth forest extent; fragmentation of natural and agricultural land (ISPRA); resources mobilised for biodiversity and Natura 2000 (euros); ordinary State-budget resources for National Parks, State Nature Reserves, and Marine Protected Areas [§33].
• Restoration and IAS: conservation status under Article 17 (Habitats) and Article 12 (Birds) reports; % of degraded surface restored; land consumption (km²); National Red List changes; rate of introduction of new invasive alien species [§45].
• Agriculture, pollinators, pesticides: National Red Lists of pollinators; bee mortality associated with PPPs (ISPRA yearbook); distribution of PPPs (ISTAT); the Farmland Bird Index and Mountain Grassland Farmland Bird Index; UAA under organic farming; CAP agro-climatic-environmental measures; elimination and substitution of PPPs bearing SPe phrases (Directive 2003/82/EC) [§53].
• Forests: National Forest Strategy indicators for Actions A.4, A.5, A.6, A.7, B.1, and Specific Actions 1 and 2; new trees of certified native provenance; forest area within protected areas [§62].
• Urban: ratio of urban green to urbanised area (ISTAT); trees registered in the List of Monumental Trees of Italy; municipalities >15,000 with a tree census; municipalities >20,000 with a green regulation and plan; neighbourhoods in municipalities >20,000 with ≥30% tree canopy cover; SFN indicator A.str.6 on linear metres of tree-lined streets [§74].
• Freshwater: km of longitudinal and lateral river connectivity restored; River Basin District Plan objectives; WFD ecological/chemical status indicators [§86].
• Marine: fish stocks in overexploitation (ISPRA); bycatch rate of species of conservation value; Marine Strategy Monitoring Programme II Cycle descriptors D1, D2, D3, D4, D6; AZA established; mollusc-waters compliance under Legislative Decree 152/06 [§94].
• Soil: soil sealing and land consumption; per capita sealing (m²/inhabitant); Soil Organic Carbon content; Land Degradation Neutrality sub-indicators; Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS); CORINE Land Cover; Land Recycling; contaminated sites of national interest [§105].

Enforcement. The Strategy frames implementation under a dedicated vector on strengthening enforcement, noting that "environmental legislation is effective only if properly implemented and enforced" [§110]. Commitments include combating environmental crime, strengthening capacities, ensuring enforcement across PAs and Natura 2000 sites, a reward system for virtuous protected areas, application of the DNSH ("do not significant harm") requirement in all plans and programmes, and integration of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into planning at all levels [§110].

Civil society. The permanent participation platform is the Forum for Sustainable Development, established by MiTE in 2019 under the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, with 199 organisations across six working groups (People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, Culture for sustainability, Youth Pathway) [§118].

Sources:

• §27 — Governance and Implementation
• §33, §45, §53, §62, §74, §86, §94, §105 — Indicators per thematic area
• §110 — Enforcement vector
• §115 — Knowledge, research and education
• §116 — Civil society engagement
• §118 — Forum for Sustainable Development

---

6. Finance and Resource Mobilisation

The SNB 2030 adopts the quantified finance architecture of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 [§112]:

• At least €20 billion per year unlocked for nature from combined public and private sources;
• 30% of the EU budget dedicated to climate action to be invested in biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions;
• At least €10 billion over ten years under the InvestEU Natural Capital and Circular Economy initiative through blended public-private funding;
• A rising share of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027 dedicated to biodiversity: at least 7.5% in 2024 and 10% in 2026;
• All EU budget spending rendered "biodiversity-proof" under the "do no harm" principle.

The Strategy states that "there is no specific financing instrument for biodiversity to date" and that mobilisation depends on mainstreaming biodiversity across a portfolio of EU and domestic funds [§112]. No aggregate national biodiversity budget is disclosed. EU funds identified across the thematic objectives include EMFAF, ERDF, EAFRD, EAGF, Cohesion Fund, Just Transition Fund and Mechanism, ESF+, LIFE, Horizon Europe, INTERREG EUROPE, URBACT, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (NRRP), with peer-to-peer support via TAIEX and the European Solidarity Corps [§34, §46, §87, §95, §112]. Domestic instruments include the Development and Cohesion Fund (FSC), the Revolving Fund, national and regional funds under Law 394/1991 (protected areas) and Law 157/1992 (wildlife), the Forest Fund, and ETS CO₂ auction proceeds [§34, §46, §63, §87].

Fiscal architecture: ZEA, BHS reform, and the 5 per mille

Italy operates an unusually developed set of bespoke fiscal instruments:

• Environmental Economic Zones (Zone Economiche Ambientali, ZEA) — coinciding with National Parks, providing tax advantages and incentives for eco-sustainable business activities. The Strategy commits to continued funding of ZEAs and to replication of the model at regional level [§38, §87]. Funding is earmarked from CO₂ auction proceeds under Law 141/2019 (the "Climate Decree"), which also funds reforestation [§34, §75, §87].
• Quantified Biodiversity Harmful Subsidies (BHS). Under Article 67 of Law 221/2015, the Natural Capital Committee produces an annual Report on the State of Natural Capital in Italy [§15]. The fourth edition (January 2022) of the Catalogue of Environmentally Harmful and Environmentally Favourable Subsidies (SAD-SAF) includes a dedicated chapter on Biodiversity Harmful Subsidies, estimating BHS at €28 billion (2018), €38 billion (2019), and €36 billion (2020), broken down into agriculture and fisheries, energy, transport, VAT, and "Other" [§15]. The SNB 2030 commits to initiating environmental fiscal reform starting from the elimination, gradual removal, or reform of environmentally harmful subsidies, with particular attention to those harmful to biodiversity [§112]. No time-bound numeric reduction trajectory is specified.
• 5 per mille of IRPEF personal income tax in support of the managing bodies of Protected Areas [§34].
• Access fees to Parks and protected areas [§34, §75].
• Levy on hazardous plant protection products under Article 123 of Law 388/2000 and Article 59 of Law 488/1999 [§54].
• Payments for Environmental and Ecosystem Services (PES) under Article 70 of Law 221/2015, illustrated by the Ecopay-Connect 2020 project [§15].
• Hydraulic policing fees to be partially allocated to river renaturalisation [§47].

On forward architecture, the Strategy cites application of the BIOFIN-UNDP methodology to realign public and private spending, implementation of the G7 Carbis Bay commitment on increased NBS funding by 2025, and designation of the Ecological Transition Plan (PTE) governance and implementation mechanisms as the cross-sector vehicle for policy coherence [§112]. Business agreements with managing bodies of PAs and Natura 2000 sites are to align with Business for Biodiversity principles and the EU Taxonomy of Sustainable Investments (Regulation (EU) 2020/852) pending the Delegated Acts on biodiversity and agriculture [§38]. A traceability system for resources allocated to biodiversity and Natura 2000 is required to guarantee accountability [§39].

Sources:

• §15 — Biodiversity and the Economy / SAD-SAF catalogue
• §34, §38, §39 — Protected-areas funding and Actions A5.1–A5.2
• §46, §54, §63, §75, §87, §95, §106 — Funding Sources per thematic objective
• §47 — Hydraulic policing fees
• §112 — Biodiversity Vectors > Mobilising funds

---

7. GBF Target Coverage

Target 1 — Spatial planning

Addressed. Action A3.1 establishes a National Ecological Network defined in agreement with the 21 Regions and Autonomous Provinces, identifying ecological corridors between protected areas, the Natura 2000 network, and OECMs, harmonising renaturalisation along watercourses, and ensuring supranational connectivity for migratory species. Regional ecological networks are integrated into Regional Landscape Plans (Piani Paesaggistici Regionali) anchored in the European Landscape Convention. Action A3.2 directs a CAP 2023–2027 eco-scheme targeting 10% of agricultural areas for biodiversity. At sea, Action B12.4 uses Maritime Spatial Planning as the delivery vehicle for ecologically connected networks covering at least 30% of Italian seas. Appropriate Assessment (VIncA) is integrated into EIA and SEA procedures.

Target 2 — Ecosystem restoration

Addressed. National commitment B.2 is operationalised through Action B2.1, requiring mapping of Italian ecosystems, a national ecosystem restoration plan with regional implementations in application of the forthcoming EU Nature Restoration Regulation, and the NRRP flagship "Renaturalisation of the Po area". Action B11.3 contributes to the EU objective of restoring the free flow of at least 25,000 km of rivers. Marine restoration is pursued through the NRRP "Restoration and protection of seabeds and marine habitats" project. Allocation of hydraulic policing fees to river renaturalisation is coherent with Law 164/2014.

Target 3 — Protected areas (30x30)

Addressed. Objective A.1 commits Italy to legally protecting at least 30% of terrestrial and 30% of marine areas; Objective A.2 to strict protection of at least one third of those areas, including all primary and old-growth forests. Delivery combines Law 394/1991, Natura 2000, formally designated OECMs, the National Network of Old-Growth Forests under Legislative Decree 34/2018, and the NRRP "Digitalisation of National Parks" project for a common monitoring system. At sea, Maritime Spatial Planning delivers ecologically connected networks "designated particularly offshore". The Environmental Economic Zones (ZEA) provide a distinctive fiscal-territorial instrument coinciding with National Parks. 'Strictly protected' follows the 2022 EU Technical Note criteria.

Target 4 — Species recovery

Addressed. Objective B.1 commits that at least 30% of species and habitats in unfavourable conservation status achieve favourable status or a clear positive trend by 2030. Action B1.1 gives full implementation to the Habitats and Birds Directives in synergy with MSFD, MSPD, and the Marine Strategy, with priorities based on the regional PAFs and the latest Article 12 and Article 17 reports. Objective B.4 commits to reversing pollinator decline through a National Plan including coordinated monitoring, citizen-science networks, alignment with EU-PoMs, and Red Lists for Hoverflies (Syrphidae) and Heterocera Lepidoptera (moths). CITES is implemented with domestic measures exceeding Convention text (prohibition of keeping certain species; registers for traceability). Italy hosts 57 Ramsar wetlands covering more than 73,000 hectares.

Target 5 — Sustainable harvest

Addressed. Action B12.1 sets fishing opportunities in line with the Common Fisheries Policy (Fmsy, Bmsy, SSB), updates multi-annual fisheries management plans with Fisheries Restricted Areas, promotes fisheries co-management consortia (including Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries, TURFs), finances selective fishing through the EMFAF, applies a zero-tolerance policy toward IUU fishing, and supports small-scale artisanal coastal fishing for its low environmental impact and high employment rate. Action B12.3 monitors bycatch under the GFCM protocol on vulnerable species (elasmobranchs, cetaceans, turtles). Italy is a signatory of the Sharks MOU under the Convention on Migratory Species.

Target 6 — Invasive alien species

Addressed. Objective B.3 commits to a 50% reduction in species on national Red Lists threatened by invasive alien species. Action B3.1 implements EU Regulation 1143/2014 (transposed by Legislative Decree 230/2017) through action plans on priority introduction pathways, Red List reassessments, communication campaigns, and pathway-specific monitoring. Ratification of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention is a named outstanding commitment. A National Focal Point for alien and harmful aquatic species under the National Programme of Measures of the Marine Strategy is to be fully implemented. In urban contexts, Sub-Action B10.2.i requires use of native species in urban green contracts and reconversion of plantings already invaded by exotic species.

Target 7 — Pollution reduction

Addressed. Objective B.5 commits to a 50% reduction in risks and use of plant protection products (and of the most hazardous ones); Objective B.8 to a 50% reduction in nutrient losses and a 20% reduction in fertiliser use. Delivery combines the revised National Action Plan on Plant Protection Products (PAN) (an interim commitment until revision is adopted), the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP), Inter-ministerial Decree 5046/2016 transposing the Nitrates Directive, the SQNPI integrated-production system, a 50% reduction in livestock antibiotic consumption relative to 2020, and minimisation or prohibition of PPPs and biocides in areas used by the public or vulnerable groups. A levy on hazardous plant protection products (Laws 388/2000 and 488/1999) is a named fiscal instrument. Plastic pollution is not addressed under this objective; it is structurally covered under the Circular Economy Biodiversity Vector through Directive (EU) 2019/904 and Legislative Decree 196/2021 [§113].

Target 8 — Climate and biodiversity

Addressed. Protected-area management is to shift from static conservation to adaptive management, with PAs treated as nodes of an extensive, coherent, and interconnected network. Peatlands, wetlands, forests, and oceans are identified as essential for carbon sequestration and storage. Nature-Based Solutions are endorsed using the IUCN formulation. Action B9.4 implements National Forest Strategy Sub-Actions A.6.1 and A.6.2 on climate-change mitigation. Urban Climate Adaptation Plans and Urban Biodiversity Plans are promoted as joint delivery vehicles. Anchor instruments include the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (SNAC), the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC, under approval), the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2030, and the Long-Term Strategy for climate neutrality by 2050. Content addressing ocean acidification was not identified in this NBSAP.

Target 9 — Wild species use

Mentioned. Sustainable use is addressed through CITES (with Italian domestic measures exceeding Convention text) and through fisheries under Action B12.1, including support for small-scale artisanal coastal fishing financed through the EMFAF. No commitment specifically framed around IPLC benefits from wild-species use was identified.

Target 10 — Agriculture / forestry

Addressed. Commitments B.6 (10% of agricultural areas to high-diversity landscape features), B.7 (25% of UAA to organic farming), and B.9 (forests contributing to the EU 3-billion-tree target) are delivered through the CAP National Strategic Plan 2023–2027, Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Law 23/2022 on organic production, the National Strategic Plan for the Development of the Organic System, Law 194/2015 on agricultural biodiversity, the National Register of rural landscapes of historical interest, and the National Forest Strategy. A PAN-revision proposal targets an 80% increase in organic-method agricultural area in protected areas and Natura 2000 sites relative to 2018 UAA. Livestock antibiotic consumption is to be reduced by 50% relative to 2020. Fisheries are delivered under Action B12.1 with multi-annual management plans and TURFs; aquaculture through Allocated Zones for Aquaculture (AZA).

Target 11 — Ecosystem services (NbS)

Addressed. Action A3.2 directs investment into green and blue infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions through spatial and landscape planning, national financial programming, a package of fiscal measures, and a dedicated CAP eco-scheme. Action A5.2 operationalises the user-pays and polluter-pays principles and moves CAP public aid beyond compensatory additional-costs logic toward remuneration of ecosystem services. Urban Actions B10.1–B10.3 require cities with at least 20,000 inhabitants to develop urban greening plans integrating NBS, incorporate urban forests as the structural and functional reference, implement the NRRP "Protection and enhancement of urban and extra-urban green spaces" project, encourage the EU Green City Accord, and incentivise qualified-personnel recruitment. The G7 Carbis Bay commitment on increased NBS funding by 2025 is named as a standing international undertaking.

Target 12 — Urban biodiversity

Addressed. Objective B.10 commits Italy to halting the loss of urban and peri-urban green ecosystems. All cities and agglomerations with at least 20,000 inhabitants are to develop an ambitious urban greening plan integrating Nature-Based Solutions (green infrastructure, green roofs and walls, phytoremediation, parks, green corridors, tree-lined streets, urban allotments, grassed channels and ditches). The NBSAP explicitly shifts measurement from counting plants under Law 10/2013 to canopy cover and photosynthetically active area. Distinctive delivery mechanisms include "desealing" (de-impermeabilisation of asphalted surfaces) to reconnect ecological-network nodes, biodiversity-sensitive mowing calendars that avoid the flowering period of entomophilous species and the breeding season of amphibians and waterbirds, the List of Monumental Trees of Italy, and Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for public green spaces under Ministerial Decree 63/2020.

Target 13 — Genetic resources / ABS

Mentioned. The Nagoya Protocol is referenced as an international framework element and listed among the defined acronyms, but no substantive commitment on Access and Benefit-Sharing, Digital Sequence Information, or traditional-knowledge benefit-sharing was identified.

Target 14 — Mainstreaming

Addressed. Integration runs through the Partnership Agreement for Cohesion Policy 2021–2027, the CAP National Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the 21 regional PAFs, and the Ecological Transition Plan (PTE) governance and implementation mechanisms as the cross-sector vehicle for policy coherence. Appropriate Assessment (VIncA) is integrated into EIA and SEA; Marine Strategy measures are integrated into MPA planning; WFD Article 4.1.c objectives are integrated into Natura 2000 planning. A traceability system for resources allocated to biodiversity and Natura 2000 is required. All EU spending is to be "biodiversity-proof" under the do-no-harm principle.

Target 15 — Business disclosure

Mentioned. Agreements between businesses and managing bodies of protected areas and Natura 2000 sites are to be aligned with Business for Biodiversity principles and the EU Taxonomy of Sustainable Investments (Regulation (EU) 2020/852) pending the Delegated Acts on biodiversity and agriculture. The renewed European Strategy on sustainable finance is referenced for integration of climate and environmental risks into the financial system. A national mandatory biodiversity-disclosure regime at the scale envisioned by Target 15 was not identified.

Target 16 — Sustainable consumption

Mentioned. Italy addresses sustainable consumption through alignment with the EU Farm to Fork Strategy (pesticide, nutrient, and organic-farming targets), through Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for the collective catering service and foodstuffs supply under Ministerial Decree 65/2020, and through urban-planning integration of NBS under a circular-economy objective. No quantitative food-waste halving commitment was identified.

Target 17 — Biosafety

Content addressing GBF Target 17 was not identified in this NBSAP.

Target 18 — Harmful subsidies

Addressed. The fourth edition (January 2022) of the SAD-SAF catalogue under Article 68 of Law 221/2015 includes a dedicated chapter on Biodiversity Harmful Subsidies, estimating BHS at €28 billion (2018), €38 billion (2019), and €36 billion (2020). The Strategy commits to initiating environmental fiscal reform starting from the elimination, gradual removal, or reform of environmentally harmful subsidies, with particular attention to those harmful to biodiversity. BIOFIN-UNDP is named as the realignment instrument. The "biodiversity-proof" and do-no-harm requirements apply to all EU budget spending. No time-bound numeric SAD reduction target was identified.

Target 19 — Finance mobilisation

Addressed. The Strategy adopts the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 finance targets in full: at least €20 billion per year for nature; 30% of the EU climate-action budget to biodiversity and NBS; at least €10 billion over ten years under InvestEU Natural Capital and Circular Economy; 7.5% of MFF 2021–2027 for biodiversity in 2024 rising to 10% in 2026; and "biodiversity-proof" spending under the do-no-harm principle. Delivery combines the Partnership Agreement for Cohesion Policy 2021–2027, the CAP National Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the 21 regional PAFs, Environmental Economic Zones (ZEA), the 5 per mille of IRPEF, Law 141/2019 CO₂ auction earmarks, access fees to Parks, PES schemes, and private investment aligned with Business for Biodiversity and the EU Taxonomy. Italy endorses the CBD Decision CBD/COP/14/22 three-category framework (reduce/redirect harmful resources; generate additional resources; improve effectiveness) and commits to setting nationally determined targets for domestic resource mobilisation commensurate with GBF ambition. No aggregate national biodiversity budget is disclosed.

Target 20 — Capacity and technology

Mentioned. Capacity-building is distributed across thematic actions rather than consolidated into a cross-cutting strategy: staffing-requirements programming for protected areas (A4.1.m); fund-management coordination and training (A5.1.b); IAS communication and training (B3.1.c); farmer training on PPP alternatives (B5.1.d, B5.3.b, B5.3.c); technical-staff training for concessions and river biodiversity assessments (B11.2.d); and municipal recruitment for urban-green design (B10.3.d). International cooperation runs through the "Green Helmets for the Environment" programme under Decree-Law 111/2019 and the UNESCO International Network of Environmental Experts. A consolidated technology-transfer architecture at the scale envisioned by Target 20 was not identified.

Target 21 — Data and information

Mentioned. Distributed data and monitoring architecture is built through the National Biodiversity Network (NNB) and the National Environmental Information System (SinA) integrated with the Mirror Copernicus programme, the NRRP "Digitalisation of National Parks" project, inventories of legally protected areas across CDDA, EUAP, and Natura 2000 databases, mapping of old-growth forests and carbon-rich ecosystems, and citizen-science monitoring (B4.1.a pollinators; B10.2.h urban green; B11.1.b freshwaters). A dedicated open-data commitment or traditional/Indigenous-knowledge integration framework at the scale envisioned by Target 21 was not identified.

Target 22 — Inclusive participation

Mentioned. Participation is delivered through co-management mechanisms — notably MPA co-management (A4.1.l) and fisheries co-management consortia with potential TURFs (B12.1.c) — through the Forum for Sustainable Development (199 organisations across six working groups), through citizen-science programmes in urban and pollinator contexts, and through the Ramsar CEPA Programme. Explicit commitments on equitable participation for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women, youth, and marginalised groups at the scale envisioned by Target 22 were not identified.

Target 23 — Gender equality

Content addressing GBF Target 23 was not identified in this NBSAP.