Italy goes Green in a historic vote, in which Italy has made protecting the environment part of the Italian constitution.
On Tuesday, the Italian parliament approved a law that means the state must safeguard ecosystems and biodiversity “in the interest of future generations.” This is positive Italian news following months of protests against the mandatory vaccine pass.
“It is right that the protection of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems become a founding value of our Republic, it is an essential step for a country like Italy which is facing its own ecological transition.”
Italian state must enforce protecting the environment legally
The changes to the constitution also mean that health and the environment must be protected by the economy. The new law states that private industry can no longer impact the climate. The protection of animals has been recognised too.
The inclusion of the environment and animals in the Italian constitution has been hailed as significant for the country’s future by both politicians and climate change activists.
“I think it is an epochal day,” Minister of Ecological Transition, Roberto Cingolani said in a statement.
He adds that the achievement allows Italy to have “well-defined rules” for protecting the planet – especially as today’s actions will have consequences on future generations.
EU leaders react as Italy goes green
Virginijus Sinkevičius, European commissioner for the environment also called it a “major step” on Twitter.
Congratulating Italy on the decision he said that “by choosing to protect the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems through your constitution, you are choosing to protect future generations.”
“Today’s vote represents a historical fact,” says Donatella Bianchi, president of WWF Italy.
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