Italy warned to remedy environmental legislation

Italy has been warned that it is not fully complying with the legal framework set up by the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD), with the absence of strict liability being the main cause for concern.

Italy emits the ninth most CO2 emissions in the world, behind Germany and the UK in Europe.

Environment commissioner Janez Potocnik has recently confirmed that the European Environment Commission will be sending Italy an additional reasoned opinion to push the government into legislation changes.

The key areas in which Potocnik wants to see remedied is the absence of strict liability and the possibility open to operators of using financial compensation rather than remediation. These both apply to the lack of pressure from the Italian government to push operators to take responsibility of the environmental damage that they cause.

The country's environmental liability is based on based on the 'polluter pays' principle which places the responsibility in the hands of the private sector, targeting the prevention and remedy of pollution.

Damages to water bodies, protected species or natural habitats, or soil should all carry political ramifications in accordance to the EU directive.

Posted by Joseph Hutton