Italian Carabinieri Honor Units for Environmental Protection in Premio Ambiente 2026

General Salvatore Luongo, Commander‑General of the Carabinieri, presented the fifth‑edition “Premio Ambiente” to several units and individuals recognized for outstanding environmental protection efforts. The award highlighted the Genoa Underwater Carabinieri Centre, which conducted 42 hours of dives up to 90 metres, removed a 600 kg ghost net from a decommissioned oil platform and recovered 1,100 kg of waste for energy recovery.

Individual commendations were given to Brigadier Gianluigi Rassu of the Asinara station for dismantling an illegal waste‑burning operation, Major Luigi De Santis of Grazzanise for arrests, denunciations and the seizure of illegal dumps in the “Terra dei Fuochi” area, Lieutenant Salvo Basiricò of Fulgatore for prosecuting numerous waste‑related offenses, and Major Cesare Scatamacchia of the Brescia Forest Carabinieri for uncovering a criminal network trafficking over 250,000 tonnes of contaminated vegetable waste. The ceremony underscored the Carabinieri’s role as Europe’s leading environmental police force and garnered public admiration for its commitment to safeguarding Italy’s natural heritage.