The Italian government has announced projects that will promote sustainability by promoting cycling, green transport and environmentally friendly recovery projects.
In the midst of the coVID-19 emergency, respect for the environment had to be sacrificed for safety. To reduce the spread of the virus, there has been a boom in single-use plastics, a preference for packaged products in stores, and a tendency to use personal rather than public means of transport. Italy’s green proposals would possibly aim to compensate for this lack of sustainability, and environmentally friendly projects will once again put the country on the path to a sustainable future.
Individual cities are also driving cycling with the arrival of new motorcycle paths in Milan and an assignment in Bologna to inspire cycling in paintings. As a component of the “Bicycle to Painting” assignment, companies will get a contribution from Bologna City Council if they seem to actively inspire cycling to painting by paying painters based on the kilometers travelled or by reducing the prices of self-service cycling. In Rome, the sharing of electric scooters is inspired by 1000 new cars added to the fleet and features for a refund of up to 60% on rental prices thanks to a mobility bonus.
Images of Venice’s “clean” channels under the closure of COVID-19 went viral in March. Although the explanation of why it turned out to be mud, crafted through ships, returning to the rear of the canals, the degrees of air pollution in Venice have been minimized due to the minimisation of the ship’s exhaust gases. Venice City Council has announced that until 2030, the city’s fleet of buses and ferries will be replaced by new hybrid propulsion models. Private boat owners will also get subsidies for the installation of hybrid engines.
In addition, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced that it will invest 450 million euros in a transfer of the Italian state-owned railway company FS Italiane to introduce 135 new hybrid trains. Regional trains will have a less environmental effect by generating fewer pollutants and being more efficient.
The EIB will also carry out green public sector projects in the province of Trento in northern Italy. The bank is expected to invest three hundred million euros in sustainable progression projects in areas such as transport, renewable energy and urban progression. Funds will also be earmarked, in particular, for the fight against climate change. Any municipality or public entity in the province is eligible for investment if it proposes green progression projects following the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 emergency.
I am a journalist founded in Venice and Scotland. I’ve been writing about my country often since I moved here five years after I graduated.
I am a journalist founded in Venice and Scotland. I have been writing about my country often since I moved here five years ago after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in art history.