Environmental Protection Enters the Italian Constitutional Charter

On February 8, 2022, after approximately three years of discussions and debates, the Italian Parliament approved the bill for the protection of the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems, inserting it into the Constitution of the Republic, thus acknowledging sensitivity towards the environment already rooted in the population. With the modification of Articles 9 and 41 of the Constitution, the protection of the environment becomes, as in other countries, a fundamental principle of the Constitutional Charter.

In particular, Art. 9 is expressly attributed to the Republic, not only for the protection of the landscape and the country’s historical and artistic heritage, but also that of the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems, especially in the interest of future generations. In Art. 41, on the other hand, two new limits are introduced to the freedom of economic initiative; the latter must be carried out in such a way as not to cause damage to health and the environment.

This very recent constitutional reform undoubtedly represents an important turning point and a strong signal of responsibility on the part of the State and of every citizen. The hope is that the new constitutional principle will truly inspire new laws. Furthermore, the responsibility of design will be to design by paying great attention to resources and materials precisely in the logic of the new Constitution.