ROME, February 8, 2008 (Reuters) – The Italian Parliament approved Tuesday a law making the protection of the environment part the Constitution. This vote was praised by activists and politicians as a significant step towards the country’s future.
The law requires that the state protect the environment, biodiversity, ecosystem and ecosystem “in the best interests of future generations”. It also stated that private economic initiatives must not harm the environment or health.
Roberto Cingolani, the Ecological Transition Minister, described the bill as “an essential step” in Italy’s quest to raise green investment to transform the economy through the European Union’s post coronavirus pandemic recovery funds.
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Cingolani said that “I think it is a significant day,” in a statement.
It was unclear at this time what the judicial implications of the new law were.
According to the World Wildlife Fund’s Italian branch, it expects that parliament will adapt existing legislation regarding environmental issues.
Donatella Bianchi (Italian WWF president) stated that environment protection has been made a fundamental principle in the republic.
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Angelo Amante Reporting, editing by Stephen Jewkes & David Gregorio
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