ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) and SNPA (National System for Environmental Protection) recently published the report “State of the Environment in Italy 2025 – Indicators and Analysis”.The document aims to provide an updated and integrated overview of the main environmental dynamics in Italy. The analysis is based on a selection of indicators from the ISPRA Environmental Indicators Database.
The report monitors progress towards the sustainability goals set by the European Union and global agreements,
focusing on five macro-themes: climate change, circular economy, moving towards zero pollution, biodiversity and natural capital, and sustainable tourism.
Report on agriculture in Italy
Focusing on the agricultural side, the environmental impact is broken down into greenhouse gas emissions, pesticide use, water resource management, and the adoption of so-called sustainable practices, such as organic farming.Emissions and climate
The report shows that the agricultural sector contributes 8.4% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Italy , with a reduction of 15.6% between 1990 and 2023, but decelerating in the last 10 years.These are mainly methane, which represents 64.5% of the agricultural sector's emissions and is mainly linked to livestock farming, and nitrous oxide (34.2%).
Use of pesticides
Between 2014 and 2023, the distribution of plant protection products decreased by 28.6% on the market, with total active ingredients reduced by 32.7%.The decrease in active ingredients affected fungicides, insecticides, acaricides and herbicides.
Despite this reduction, water contamination remains a critical issue : in 2021, 28.3% of surface water monitoring points and 6.8% of groundwater monitoring points showed pesticide concentrations above regulatory limits.
Speaking of water and water resources, the ISPRA report states that agriculture is responsible for the largest use of water in Italy.
Forward in organic
Organic farming in Italy covers 19.8% of utilized agricultural land and involves approximately 94,400 operators, as of 2023.This result places Italy among the most virtuous EU member states, just 5.2 percentage points away from the EU target of at least 25% organic farmland by 2030.
The National Strategic Plan for the CAP 2023-2027 sets an even more ambitious goal, aiming for 25% organic agricultural area by 2027.
Measures to reduce chemical impact
The report suggests encouraging the adoption of integrated pest management practices, i.e. the protection of crops through the use of organic practices or the use of plant protection products, by investing in research for the development of biopesticides and other low environmental impact solutions .Furthermore, adequate training for farmers regarding the risks of overuse of pesticides in agriculture and encouraging the adoption of soil-regenerative practices, where possible, are essential. (Source: Gabriele Scrofani, https://www.ruminantia.it /)