National Implementation of Agenda 21

ITALY COUNTRY PROFILE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21: REVIEW OF PROGRESS MADE SINCE THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1992 Information Provided by the Government of Italy to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Fifth Session 7-25 April 1997 New York United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development Division for Sustainable Development The Information contained in this Country Profile is also available on the World Wide Web, as follows: http://www.un.org/dpcsd/earthsummit

ITALY This country profile has been provided by: Name of Ministry/Office: Ministry of Environment - Servizio V.I.A. - Statistics Office Date: 1997 Submitted by: Paolo Soprano Mailing address: via della Ferratella in Laterano, 33 - 00184 Roma Telephone: 70362336 Telefax: 77257006 E-mail: Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles. All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.

ACRONYMS
OVERVIEW
FACT SHEET
AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS
2.	International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies
3.	Combating poverty
4.	Changing consumption patterns
5.	Demographic dynamics and sustainability
6.	Protecting and promoting human health
7.	Promoting sustainable human settlement development
8.	Integrating environment and development in decision-making
9.	Protection of the atmosphere
10.	Integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources
11.	Combating deforestation
12.	Managing fragile ecosystems: combating desertification and drought
13.	Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development
14.	Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development
15.	Conservation of biological diversity
16.	Environmentally sound management of biotechnology
17.	Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources
18.	Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources: application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources
19.	Environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals, including prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous products
20.	Environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, including prevention of illegal international traffic in hazardous wastes
21.	Environmentally sound management of solid wastes and sewage-related issues
22.	Safe and environmentally sound management of radioactive wastes
23-32.	Major groups
33.	Financial resources and mechanisms
34.	Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-building
35.	Science for sustainable development
36.	Promoting education, public awareness and training
37.	National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries
38.	International institutional arrangements
39.	International legal instruments and mechanisms
40.	Information for decision-making

APELL	Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level
CFC	chlorofluorocarbon
CGIAR	Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research
CILSS	Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel
EEZ	exclusive economic zone
ECA	Economic Commission for Africa
ECE	Economic Commission for Europe
ECLAC	Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
ELCI	Environmental Liaison Centre International
EMINWA	environmentally sound management of inland water
ESCAP	Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCWA	Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
FAO	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GATT	General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GAW	Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO)
GEF	Global Environment Facility
GEMS	Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP)
GEMS/WATER	Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme
GESAMP	Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution
GIPME	Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO)
GIS	Geographical Information System
GLOBE	Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment
GOS	Global Observing System (WMO/WWW)
GRID	Global Resource Information Database
GSP	generalized system of preferences
HIV	human immunodeficiency virus
IAEA	International Atomic Energy Agency
IAP-WASAD	International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development
IARC	International Agency for Research on Cancer
IBSRAM	International Board of Soil Resources and Management
ICCA	International Council of Chemical Associations
ICES	International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICPIC	International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House
ICSC	International Civil Service Commission
ICSU	International Council of Scientific Unions
IEEA	Integrated environmental and economic accounting
IFAD	International Fund for Agricultural Development
IGADD	Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development
IGBP	International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU)
IGBP/START	International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training
ILO	International Labour Organisation
IMF	International Monetary Fund
IMO	International Maritime Organization
INFOTERRA	International Environment Information system (UNEP)
IOC	Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
IPCC	Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IPCS	International Programme on Chemical Safety
IPM	integrated pest management
IRPTC	International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals
ITC	International Tin Council
ITTO	International Tropical Timber Organization
IUCN	International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
MARPOL	International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
OECD	Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
PGRFA	plant genetic resources for agriculture
PIC	prior informed consent procedure
SADCC	South African Development Co-ordination Conference
SARD	sustainable agriculture and rural development
UNCTAD	United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNDP	United Nations Development Programme
UNDRO	Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator
UNEP	United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO	United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFPA	United Nations Population Fund
UNICEF	United Nations Children's Fund
UNIDO	United Nations Industrial Development Organization
UNU	United Nations University
WCP	World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO)
WFC	World Food Council
WHO	World Health Organization
WMO	World Meteorological Organization
WWF	World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund)
WWW	World Weather Watch (WMO)

OVERVIEW

ITALIAN POSITION PAPER FOR THE UNGA SPECIAL SESSION (PRESENTED ON JUNE 1997)

1. Five years have passed since the world's leaders met in rio de janeiro to consider threats to the global environment and obstacles to socio-economic development. Today these threats still exist, stemming from many sources: land degradation, world population growth, increasing poverty, ocean and atmosphere pollution, desertification, deforestation and depletion of natural resources. Agenda 21 outlined a strategy to deal with these problems.

The special session of the united nations general assembly (ungass) is expected to make a general assessment of the work thus far done on implementing the unced decisions, and define concrete objectives to achieve between now and the year 2002. The political declaration that will be adopted at ungass should be as action-oriented as possible.

2. Since unced, one major concern has been insufficient integration of policies. Sustainable development is still an abstract principle whose application in policy development and implementation at the national and regional levels has been inadequate.

Policy integration is fundamental to sustainable development since it is the only way to ensure joint consideration for all three pillars of agenda 21 - economic development, social development and environmental protection - and implementation of sustainability at the sector level.

However, it is hard to adapt institutional structures and to convince every sector of society to get involved in this process. Integration is only possible if the proper institutional arrangements are in place; and institutional arrangements depend on political will.

Italy thinks that ungass should call upon all developed and developing countries to increase their use of integrated decision-making tools and economic and policy instruments that can assist the process of integrating environment and development in decision-making.

3. Sustainable development indicators are essential tools for decision-making, understanding and monitoring trends, and measuring the effectiveness of policies and actions.

All governments, international organizations and ngos should contribute to the development and use of these instruments.

A program approved by the csd has already identified a core set of indicators, but much work remains to be done to expand and improve the existing set of indicators. To this end the eu can play a decisive role: international mechanisms of green accounting should also be developed.

4. One of the major challenges facing mankind is the protection of the atmosphere. An important first step toward meeting this challenge was the framework convention on climate change signed in rio.

In December 1997, at Kyoto, the third conference of the parties to the framework convention on climate change will make important commitments as to the limitations of greenhouse gas emissions. The commitments will have far reaching effects on production and consumption patterns.

The partners of the european union have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 10% of the 1990 level by the year 2010. They have also pledged to negotiate a further reduction of 5% to be obtained through common measures and policies. Only the countries of the european union have so far adopted a binding commitment to reduce emissions in the framework of the climate change negotiations.

At Kyoto we should agree on a three-pronged approach:

- developed countries should adopt a legally binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 15% by the year 2010;

- developing countries should be actively involved in the decision-making process at kyoto in order to adopt their fare share of commitments. Newly industrialized countries are putting mounting pressure on the global environment through their emissions. These countries should commit themselves to developing and using technologies and products that have a lower global impact on the environment;

- energy efficient technologies should be used and disseminated so as to reach substantial reductions of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Attention should be mainly focused on the industry, production of energy and transport sectors. To this end financial mechanisms for sustainable development as well as international trade rules that allow substantial incentives supporting the dissemination and transfer of the best available techniques for environmentally sound industrial and economic activities should be provided.

The commission on sustainable development could take into consideration the possibility of reviewing the relationships among trade, environment and economic sustainability through a pilot project aimed at the protection of the atmosphere.

5. Deforestation is closely linked to the protection of the atmosphere. It contributes not only to global warming but also to soil erosion, the loss of farmland, desertification and the extinction of plant and animal species. Forests are disappearing at a faster rate: only about one-fifth of the world's original forests can still be considered intact ecosystems. But even they are threatened by short-sighted logging practices and other dangers. In our view, a global forest convention is needed to establish a sustainable forest management regime and step up international cooperation. Italy supports the proposal to convene an intergovernmental negotiating committee as soon as possible.

6. Another major concern is the management of the oceans, an issue that requires effective national and international coordination of policies and action. Unced raised general awareness of this issue, and a number of actions have already been successfully implemented. Nevertheless, much remains to be done. Italy feels that ungass should make clear the high priority of ocean issues in the csd agenda for the upcoming years. Special attention should be given to implementation of the un agreement on high seas straddling and highly migratory fish stocks and the fao code of conduct for responsible fishing. Italy welcomes the designation of 1998 as the international year of the oceans.

7. Urbanization is another major concern. Half the world's population currently lives in urban settlements, as will the majority--over five billion people--by the beginning of the next century. Urban problems are common to both developed and developing countries, and are source of social and environmental stress. Urgent action is needed to fully implement the commitments made at the united nations conference on human settlements (habitat ii) and in agenda 21. At the same time, greater emphasis should be placed on comprehensive policies to reverse rural emigration, combat poverty, stimulate employment, and foster balanced opportunities between urban and rural areas.

8. In september of this year, italy will host in rome the first conference of the parties to the convention to combat desertification. Italy thinks that the convention should be ratified, by all countries which have not yet done so, and implemented as soon as possible, and that the international community should support the global mechanism to promote mobilization of the necessary financial resources.

9. To promote sustainable development, it is of the utmost importance that the globalization of trade be complemented by a high level of environmental protection. The world trade organization's conference in singapore did not make significant progress on the relationship between trade and the environment. Italy thinks that the programme of work for the csd and the developed countries should include the relationship between trade and the environment. In particular, cte should pursue its work on multilateral environmental agreements that address trade issues, and ensure that such clauses are consistent with the wto system. The cooperation of developing countries is crucial to this goal: they must be persuaded of the worth of a common effort, and due regard must be shown for their concerns.

10. Financial resources are essential to sustainable development. In the past five years, both oda and domestic resources mobilization have fallen far short of the rio commitments. In fact, oda as a percentage of the gnp in oecd countries has declined, on the whole, from 0.34% In 1992 to only 0.27% In 1995. Donor countries that accepted the united nations oda target of 0.7% Of gnp have not, for the most part, achieved it, and are unlikely to in the immediate future. At the same time, while middle-income countries show a decreasing need for aid in the form of grants and concessional terms, the concept of equating development and growth is shifting to a more complex, multidimensional vision of people-centered, participatory and market-driven development.

In this context, italy thinks that donor countries should concentrate official financial resources on assistance to the lowest-income developing countries and on programs and projects to stimulate growth, meet basic needs, and improve quality of life. Capacity building, education, professional training, the war on poverty, demographic problems, health, food security, the role of women and environmental education are target areas for action.

While oda is declining, foreign private capital has become an important source of financing for a number of developing countries, especially in southeast asia and latin america. The already considerable levels of capital flow should continue to grow through the progressive globalization of production, trade liberalization and financial integration. But these investments are directed toward the more promising countries, and neglect the poorest ones. One of the main tasks of oda should be to help developing countries hoping to benefit from foreign investments to create economic and political environments that are attractive to foreign private investors.

11. Heavy debt burdens have been a major hindrance to sustainable development in many developing countries. On the whole the debt situation of middle-income countries has improved significantly, with many of them reentering international capital markets. At the same time heavily indebted poor countries continue to shoulder unsustainable external debt burdens, despite a decade of international efforts to address the problem.

Italy welcomes the toronto and naples decisions and the joint world bank/imf initiative to alleviate the debt situation of the poorest countries. Effective and flexible implementation of these instruments promises to reduce debt as an impediment to sustainable development in participating countries, and to enable them to focus on removing remaining impediments. To achieve this goal, interested governments need to adopt, implement and support additional reforms to get on and stay on a sustainable development track.

12. Industrialized countries have a clear responsibility to help developing countries build a national capacity for environmentally sound technologies. Such assistance should be based on the needs of developing countries. Therefore to develop international cooperation in the field of environmentally sound technologies, both donors and recipients should have at their disposal a thorough assessment of developing countries' needs. A national needs assessment should provide an overview of capacity building needs in the field of technology.

Most technology transfer to developing countries takes place through commercial mechanisms, including new investments, and will be encouraged by open trading regimes. The autonomous opening up of markets of developing countries for trade and investments also contributes to this goal.

Italy thinks that the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ests) contributes to a more sustainable use of all resources, through the promotion of technology cooperation and the transfer of technology know-how, together with the building up of economic, technical and managerial capacity for the efficient use and development of technology.

In total volume of transferred technology and total amount of funds involved, private sector direct investments play the largest role by far. Italy feels that there is a need to mobilize a larger part of these resources for est purposes.

13. Changing consumption and production patterns are a common albeit differentiated responsibility of all countries. Industrialized countries, newly industrialized countries and lowest-income developing countries need to recognize their national and international responsibilities in this area.

Individual countries, major groups and organizations are already taking steps to identify sustainable consumption and production patterns. However, more action is needed to further the process of changing consumption and production patterns.

Developed countries should continue to take the lead in this process, implementing necessary changes within their own countries and supporting and assisting work in developing countries. To increase the sustainability of consumption and production, distinctions must be made between consumer needs and ways to meet them. Alternative ways must be created. The business community should be given incentives to produce ecologically superior goods and services. To this end, more integrated policies should be elaborated, such as eco-efficiency, product-oriented approaches and extended and shared producer responsibility.

The high gnp growth rate in some newly industrialized countries is a major threat to the balance of the ecosystem. Given the geographic and demographic size of these countries, the combination of a heavy demand for natural resources and a growing capacity to pollute puts stress on the ecosystem that already appears to be unsustainable. International cooperation is absolutely necessary to reduce the harmful effects of these processes.

The lowest income countries cannot reproduce our models of development and industrialization. The environmental cost might be unsustainable. It is the duty of donor countries to help recipient countries move toward more appropriate and sustainable models of development.

14. The csd should also play a fundamental role in promoting change in consumption and production patterns. Csd should become, inter alia, a forum where business and industry can demonstrate how they can contribute to the process. This also means that csd should actively involve business and industry in its activities.

Ngos are also important to achieving sustainable development. They need to keep the pressure on governments and international fora to share information, expertise and experience and galvanize popular support for sustainable development.

While tourism provides significant important financial resources to many regions of the world, it has a detrimental effect on the very source of tourist attraction, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, such as coastal zones, nature conservation areas, coastal reefs. Thus the long-term financial prospects of these regions are in great danger.

Ungass should mandate the csd to work together with the world tourist bodies to address this issue and explore ways and means to make this economic sector more sustainable.

15. As for the future role and structure of the csd, italy thinks it should be reaffirmed as the central political forum for decision-making and review of long term goals and strategies, and for high-level policy discussions of the environment and sustainable development.

From a general point of view, italy shares the opinion that csd's primary role should be to connect the environmental dimension of sustainable development to the other components of sustainable development, e.g., Economic and social development.

As for unep, italy thinks it should continue to monitor and evaluate the state of the environment, and draft and develop environmental law.

Duplication of the work program and activities of the two organs should be avoided.

ITALY 1. Name of Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s). COMMITTTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21 Contact point (Name, Title, Office): Mr. Paolo Soprano, Director of Statistical Office in the Ministry of the Environment Telephone: 39 - 6 - 70362336 Fax: 39 6 77257006 e-mail: Mailing address: Ministry of the Environment, EIA Directorate - via della Ferratella in Laterano, 33 I - 00184 Roma (Italy) 2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson: 2a. List of ministries and agencies involved: Ministries of: Budget & Planning; Environment; Foreign Affairs ( includes Cooperation); Public Works; Transport; Tourism; Agriculture & Forestry Resources; Finance; Presidency of the Council of Ministers. 2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies: 2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved: 3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council: To review and report on the implementation of the Nationale Plan for Sustainable Development (approved in December 1993). 4. If available, attach a diagram (organization chart) showing national coordination structure and linkages between ministries:

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES (with special emphasis on TRADE)

NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: No information. 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information. 3. Major Groups: No information. 4. Finance: No information. 5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT: Focus of national strategy In 1989 a Commission was established to investigate poverty and marginalization, with two main objectives: a) to provide data and information on the spread and the characteristics of poverty in Italy; b) provide decision-makers with instruments for policy assessment. Based on the data for consumption by families compiled by the National Statistics Institute (ISTAT), in 1995 2.128 million families lived in poverty, for a total of 6.696 people, corresponding to 10.6% of families and 11.9% of the Italian population. 68.1% of poor families are in the South of Italy, 12.4% in the Center, and 19.5% in the North. The number of poor families includes those who live below the poverty line, i.e., with a per capita consumption that is less than half of the average national pro capita consumption. Social spending as a percentage of the State's total expenditures has gone from 24.4% in 1992 to 18.5% in 1995. Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the environment

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: 3. Major Groups: 4. Finance: 5. Regional/International Cooperation: NB: Developed countries, where domestic poverty alleviation is not a major concern may wish to briefly describe their position regarding global poverty alleviation.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1985	1990	1992	Latest 1995
Unemployment (%)	10.3	11.0	11.5	12.0
Population living in absolute poverty (1)
Public spending on social sector %
Other data

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: National policy objectives/focus No information. National targets

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: No information. 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information. 3. Major Groups: No information. 4. Finance: No information. 5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1981	1990	1992	Latest 1995_
GDP per capita (current US$)				18961
Real GDP growth (%)				3.0
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita)	2539	2937	2791
Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants	428	517	564	584
Other data

Government policies affecting consumption and production.

1. Goals and Agents (Stakeholders)

Indicate with a () those agents which your Governments policies are meant most to influence.

Agents Goals	Producers	Local authorities	Central Government	Households	Civil society
Material efficiency	X	X	X
Energy efficiency:
Transport		X	X
Housing		X	X
Other
Waste:
Reduce	X			X
Reuse	X	X
Recycle	X	X

Comments:

2. Means & Measures and Agents (Stakeholders)

Indicate with an (R) those agents who assume primary responsibility for any of the policy measures indicated; indicate with an (I) the agents for which the impact is expected to be especially significant.

Agents Means & Measures	Producers	Local authorities	Central Government	House- holds	Civil Society
Improving understanding and analysis
Information and education (e.g., radio/TV/press)		R	R	I	I
Research	R		R
Evaluating environmental claims	R			I	I
Form partnerships	I		R	I	I
Applying tools for modifying behaviour
Community based strategies			R
Social incentives/disincentives (e.g., ecolabelling)			R	I	I
Regulatory instruments	I		R
Economic incentives/disincentives	I		R
Voluntary agreements of producer responsibility for aspects of product life cycle	I		R
Provision of enabling facilities and infrastructure (e.g., transportation alternatives, recycling)			R	I	I
Procurement policy	I		R
Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing performance
Action campaign	I		R	I	I
Other (specify)

Comments:

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: In 1992 the average number of children per woman in Italy was between 1.25 and 1.26%, by comparison to the average EU value of 1.48%. In the Center-North of the country, the fertility level is equivalent to 1 child per woman. Italy has the lowest rate in the world. Projections for 2005 indicate three hypotheses: a fertility rate of 2.1, 1.7-1.8, and 1.3 will lead, respectively, to a population of 59.58, 56.24 and 51.98 million inhabitants. Unlike other countries, in Italy there is not great concern over the problem of sustainable population growth. The issues on which attention is focused are: drop in the birth rate, aging of the population, foreign immigration, and health. In recent years the government has not taken any significant initiatives on the subject of fertility and births. On the other hand, the cultural, economic and social conditions do not seem to exist for an eventual increase in Italian fertiity rates.

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: 3. Major Groups: 4. Finance: 5. Regional/International Cooperation: Italy, through the UNFPA, has funded projects in Africa to improve services in the mothers and infants sector, and pilot projects to benefit women in Latin America. Through FAO, it has also financed the project to support the first farm census in China (1986-96). Collaborative activities have started with Mozambique for personnel training and expansion of structures for taking the population census.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1990	1993	Latest 1995_
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates	56719 (1)	57049	57301
Annual rate of increase (1990-1993) (2)
Surface area (Km2)		301268
Population density (people/Km2)		189.4	190.3
Other data

(1) Censimento del 1991

(2) 1990-93 = +0.2

1993-95 = +0.1

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING HUMAN HEALTH

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT: A priority objective of action to improve the transportation sector is to protect people's health from air pollution generated by fuel combustion. The road transportation sector is, in fact, responsible for 49% of N0x emissions, 63% of CO, 38% of COV, 62% of Pb, 20% of CO2. The data for 1993 shows that in large cities there is respect for the air quality standards on SO2, while the standards for NO2, CO2, and particularly CH4 are exceeded. In October 1995 a framework law on noise pollution was approved regulating the air, rail, maritime and vehicular transportation sectors. The regions have the duty of defining zoning criteria for municipal territories and acoustic rehabilitation plans. From 1990 to 1996 at least 18 laws were passed to assimilate EU directives in the field of air pollution and industrial risks, affecting productive activities. Law 626 of 1994 and the later Decree 242 of March 1996 issued new regulations for safeguarding the health of workers on the job (in 1995, 780,000 work-related accidents, including 1,080 fatalities, were reported).

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: No information. 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information. 3. Major Groups: No information. 4. Finance: No information. 5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1980	1990	Latest 1994_
Life expectancy at birth Male Female	71.0 77.8	73.5 80.0	74.3 80.0
Infant mortality (per 1000 live births)	14.6	8.2	6.6
Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births)	13.1	8.8	3.6
Access to safe drinking water (% of population)	98.7	99.0
Access to sanitation services (% of population)	98.7	99.2
Other data

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL PRIORITY:

STATUS REPORT: Approximately 50 Italian municipalities are adopting their own documents (local Agenda 21s) for sustainable developments (including Rome and Venice). The inspections of the number of cars in circulation provided for by the new road code will lead to 6% savings in fuel consumption. Car parks designed at intersections with public transportation (Park and Ride) received a subsidy of 3,500 billion liras, for subways and trams 6,000 billion, and for bicycle paths 50 billion. The average amount of green space per 9.5 million inhabitants of the eleven largest cities in 1993 was 9.8 m2 per person. Specific initiatives are underway for the 14 areas declared at risk of environmental crisis, in which approximately 11 million people live. The activities of required consortia allowed the recycling in 1995 of 1.4 tons of trash (double the amount of 1990), primarily in the cities.

Cross-Sectoral Issues 1. Decision-Making Structure: No information. 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information. 3. Major Groups: No information. 4. Finance: No information. 5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.

STATISTICAL DATA/INDICATORS
	1990	1995
Urban population in % of total population		35.9
Annual rate of growth of urban population (%)
Largest city population (in % of total population)		12.7
Other data

AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING