Italy's Protected Areas Reach 1,048, Aiming for EU 30% Biodiversity Target

The Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security has published the seventh update of the official list of protected areas (EUAP), recording 1,048 sites. Together they cover about 3.36 million hectares of land and 2.87 million hectares of marine area, along more than 3,400 km of coastline.

Minister Gilberto Pichetto noted that the figures illustrate Italy’s rich biodiversity and the need to defend and valorise it. He said the data provide a solid base to reach the European Union’s 30 % protected‑area target (30×30) by 2030. Deputy Minister Claudio Barbaro added that the work includes Natura 2000 sites and the identification of other effective area‑based conservation measures, with new parks such as Portofino, Matese and Costa dei Trabocchi under development.