Climate change will affect the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and natural hazards (such as floods, droughts, and fires), causing physical damage, economic loss, and social and environmental disruption across all regions of the world. In Italy, climate-induced extreme events have had severe impacts on different infrastructure networks, such as metros, train lines and electricity grids. The direct economic impact of climate change on infrastructure assets in Italy is projected to increase around twelve-fold by 2050, up to EUR 5.17 billion per year.

According to the 2022 IPCC Assessment Report, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) increased across all major economic sectors globally between 2010 and 2019, making the climate crisis more urgent than ever. Climate change is also likely to have an impact on infrastructure networks, which are the backbone of any modern society (i.e. water and energy systems, telecommunication, transport, health, etc.). In Italy, the infrastructure system is particularly vulnerable to climate-induced extreme events. For example, between 2010 and 2021, subways and urban trains in major Italian cities were closed for a total of 83 days (29 days in Rome, 19 in Milan, 15 in Naples, 12 in Genoa, etc.), while extreme weather conditions disrupted electricity networks for a total of 89 days. For this reason, developing an infrastructure governance system capable of managing today’s environmental challenges while strengthening resilience to climate change is key to ensure Italy’s sustainable and resilient future.

The climate crisis has increased the average global temperature and is leading to more frequent high-temperature extremes across the globe. In Italy, the infrastructure network has already suffered serious damages and losses, and the impact of climate change on infrastructure assets is projected to increase. Mainstreaming climate change considerations in the decision-making process for public investments is more urgent than ever. In particular, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions can be used as instruments to steer the infrastructure sector into a more sustainable and resilient path.

This chapter sets out the scene for the analysis and assessment conducted in the subsequent sections of the report. Building on an in-depth literature review and interviews with stakeholders at the national and sub-national level, it outlines the conceptual framework underpinning green infrastructure (GI) and nature-based solutions (NbS) in Italy. The chapter brings forth the main definitions and highlights the key features and associated benefits and co-benefits of these two instruments (e.g. climate change mitigation and adaptation, leisure, job opportunities, health and well-being, etc.). It also provides an overview of the most relevant international and European strategies and includes a short analysis of the use of GI and NbS in the transport sector and in urban regeneration.

Despite the increasingly recognised benefits of green infrastructure (GI), the consideration and uptake of GI remains limited. The main challenges to mainstream the implementation of GI are related to the institutional, regulatory, and financing framework in place, as well as the existing technical capacity. This chapter identifies and discusses some of these challenges and trade-offs for GI planning and development in OECD countries. It brings together insights, good practices, and a discussion on the lessons learned from the perspective of public governance, environment and transport policies and planning. The chapter considers a life-cycle perspective to propose an integrated approach to GI. It first looks at the institutional and regulatory framework needed to enable GI, to then identify the main elements necessary to promote GI during the planning, appraisal, financing, procurement, and maintenance of infrastructure assets.

Despite recent efforts to improve the environmental performance of public investments in Italy, more needs to be done for the country to ensure a widespread adoption of green infrastructure (GI) planning across the national territory. This chapter provides a detailed overview of how GI and nature-based solutions (NbS) are currently implemented in Italy. It outlines the main policies, strategies, laws, and planning instruments relevant for GI and NbS and identifies the main actors responsible for infrastructure planning and implementation. At the project-level, the chapter looks at the different tools in place to integrate environmental considerations in infrastructure planning and appraisal, as well as in the financing and delivery of public investment projects. The chapter includes the analysis of four case studies in Italy, which highlight good practices and main areas for improvement to mainstream GI and NbS implementation.

Despite recent efforts to promote sustainability considerations in public investment decisions, green infrastructure (GI) and nature-based solutions (NbS) are not yet fully integrated in spatial planning and projects’ appraisal instruments in Italy. For this reason, the OECD has developed a series of recommendations to promote the integration of GI and NbS in infrastructure governance in Italy. The recommendations build on international good practices and 3 main pillars: 1) creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment for the consideration and uptake of GI and NbS; 2) defining clear institutional roles and responsibilities, and establishing co-ordination mechanisms to boost collaboration among the actors responsible for GI planning and implementation of NbS; and 3) building a knowledge-base and technical competencies for planning and implementation of GI and NbS across all levels of government