How far is Italy in line with waste and air quality standards? Little. It has not yet reached the expected levels and must do so quickly using the money from the PNRR. The European Commission in its periodic review of the application of EU environmental rules has once again pointed the finger at Italy. That the country was late on all infrastructure it was known, but that the EU should invite the current government - and even more so the one to come - to speed everything up to the max by 2026 was not obvious. Especially during an electoral campaign with parties that are not at all in tune with these issues.
The case of waste-to-energy plant to do in Rome says it all. The Right with Giorgia Meloni he says he wants to review some points of the recovery and resilience plan. But it would be a tragedy to stop what Draghi set up with great effort. In any case, the EU Commission explicitly states that “waste management, air quality and designation of protected areas Natura 2000 Italy's weak points remain in the application of EU environmental legislation”. The Brussels note does not deny that progress has been made on circular economy and river basin plans. Never big projects must all be put in place and precisely in implementation of the National Plan for recovery and resilience. Even more clearly it means: we give you the money, you solve the problems.
For waste, spend the money from the PNRR as soon as possible
Brussels has opened in recent years against Italy as many as 18 infringement procedures. They are all in force with serious prejudice for those Regions that are dragging on the waste emergencies of past years. From 2015 to today they have already been paid to the EU 620 million euro for violation of rules also approved by Italy. The fines affect many Southern Regions due to the widespread presence of illegal landfills for the discharge of urban wastewater in sensitive areas. Campania is among the most critical regions even if on 12 September a new plant will be opened north of the city to process 200 tons of eco-bales a year. The legacy of the waste crisis, before the Acerra waste-to-energy plant goes into operation, should disappear according to President Vincenzo De Luca. On the territory there are still 5 million tons of packaged waste which paradoxically frighten Europe on the one hand and on the other hand are convenient for the fines to be collected.
