Abstract
Albeit not being formally recognized in conventional provisions, the right to a healthy environment has become a relevant topic, both globally and regionally. Indeed, Italy is called by regional and international instruments to undergo a process of energy transition, because of environmental reasons. Moreover, the economic crisis due to the measures adopted to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease may be a breeding ground for innovation; considering also the extraordinary funds for recovery allocated to Italy by the EU, the energy transition is possible and may be easier than before. This may have positive effects on national economy as well. The Italian action on the matter at issue has to be seen in a wider program on energy and environment. As sustainable energy is strictly linked to environmental issues, the energy transition is part of a process towards a stronger environmental protection, established at both the international and regional level. For instance, the sustainable development goal no. 7, established by the UN Agenda 2030, pursues the universal access to sustainable energy. The energy issue has been addressed by several EU strategies as well. This is particularly relevant, considering that Italy has to implement the measures adopted by the EU, submitting plans for the energy transition in the Country. In this regard, the European Green Deal, adopted within the context of the Next Generation EU, should be mentioned. Italy plans at improving implants and infrastructures for energy distribution in order to increase the percentage of energy from renewable resources. The energy transition would thus positively affect both the environment and the economy, with ultimate positive effects on the enjoyment of human rights.
Giulia Baj, PhD in European and International Law—Joint PhD Programme Università di Milano-Bicocca and l’Université de la Côte d’Azur (Nizza).
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Notes
- 1.
European Environment Agency (2020).
- 2.
Universit et al. (2020).
- 3.
Universit et al. (2020)
- 4.
Devece et al. (2016), pp. 5366–5370.
- 5.
Innovation, together with the ability to recognise opportunities, has been recognised as a key element for business development in periods of crisis.
- 6.
OECD (2009).
- 7.
ISTAT (2020).
- 8.
European Commission (2020a).
- 9.
European Commission (2020a).
- 10.
United Nations (2015).
- 11.
Knox (2018).
- 12.
See, e.g., the declaration of the UN Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, John H. Knox: “[p]erhaps the simplest way of expressing this interdependence (of human rights and the environment) is through the recognition of a human right to a healthy environment”.
- 13.
United Nations (1989).
- 14.
Art. 24 co. 3.
- 15.
United Nations (2007).
- 16.
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (2002).
- 17.
It is recalled that also the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights establishes the right to a “general satisfactory environment” (art. 24). This right has been the topic of several decisions of the African Commission, which has, indeed, recognised the interest in the protection of the environment. See, e.g., African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Communication no. 155/96, SERAC and CESR Vs. Nigeria [2002], in which the Commission affirmed that the environmental degradation constitutes a violation of the mentioned right.
- 18.
Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Comunidad indígena Yakye Axa Vs. Paraguay (2005).
- 19.
Inter-American Court of Human Rights, The Mayagna (Sumo) Awas Tingni Community Vs. Nicaragua (2001).
- 20.
Inter-American Court of Human Rights (2017).
- 21.
Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Protocol of San Salvador) (1998).
- 22.
It counts 17 States Parties.
- 23.
- 24.
- 25.
European Court of Human Rights (2010).
- 26.
European Court of Human Rights (1952).
- 27.
“Every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions. No one shall be deprived of his possessions except in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of international law”. Art.1 co.1.
- 28.
United Nations (2015).
- 29.
The text of Agenda 2030 is included in Resolution 70/1, adopted by the UN General Assembly.
- 30.
United Nations (2015).
- 31.
Preamble.
- 32.
United Nations (2015).
- 33.
Para. 9.
- 34.
United Nations (2015).
- 35.
Para. 7.
- 36.
United Nations (2015).
- 37.
United Nations (2015).
- 38.
For instance, energy is necessary for the correct functioning of medical and hospital devices, which contribute to the enjoyment of the right to life.
- 39.
- 40.
Article 191(1) TFEU states: “Union policy on the environment shall contribute to pursuit of the following objectives: –preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, –protecting human health, –prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources, –promoting measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate change”.
Article 191(2) TFEU adds that the EU policy “shall aim at a high level of protection taking into account the diversity of situations in the various regions of the Union”.
- 41.
European Environment Agency (2015).
- 42.
European Union (2018a).
- 43.
European Commission (2020a).
- 44.
European Commission (2019).
- 45.
European Commission (2019).
- 46.
- 47.
InvestEU (2021).
- 48.
European Commission (2020a).
- 49.
Fondazione (2019).
- 50.
Fondazione (2019), p. 17.
- 51.
Law 9: Norme per l’attuazione Del Piano Energetico Nazionale in Materia Di Uso Razionale Dell’energia, Di Risparmio Energetico e Di Sviluppo Delle Fonti Rinnovabili Di Energia (1991).
- 52.
Law 9 Jan 1991, no. 10, containing dispositions on the implementation of the national energy plan regarding rational energy use, energy saving and development of renewable sources, trans. by the Author.
- 53.
- 54.
Ministero Dello Sviluppo Economico. Energia e Clima 2030 (n.d.).
- 55.
Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico and Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (2019).
- 56.
Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico and Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (2019), p. 54.
- 57.
Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico and Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (2019), p. 65.
- 58.
Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico and Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (2019), p. 67.
- 59.
Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico and Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (2019), p. 79.
- 60.
Universit et al. (2020).
- 61.
Italian Constitutional Court (2020).
- 62.
Zito (2005).
- 63.
Tracking SDG 7 – The Energy Progress Report, Country Reports: Italy (n.d.).
- 64.
ISTAT (n.d.).
- 65.
Senato della Repubblica (1948).
- 66.
(eng. vers. Senato della Repubblica), art 4.
- 67.
Senato della Repubblica (1948).
- 68.
Art 3(2).
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Baj, G. (2023). The Italian Energy Transition in a Human Rights Perspective. In: Gromek-Broc, K. (eds) Regional Approaches to the Energy Transition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-19358-3_4
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