ABSTRACT
Almost six per cent of the country has been declared risky areas due to high levels of environmental pollution. The beginning of an environmental policy in Italy dates back to the mid-1960s. From the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s environmental policy underwent a substantial acceleration as a number of previously missing legislative instruments were added to the policy 'toolbox'. The crucial turning point in the development of environmental policy in Italy was the creation in 1986, after a number of unsuccessful attempts during the 1970s, of a central authority specifically in charge of environmental affairs. Regions have been given numerous responsibilities directly or indirectly pertaining to environmental policy: nature and scenic areas protection, parks, hunting and fishing, pollution, health, land use, town planning, agriculture, mining. Regional and local authorities have had an important role in stimulating the development of environmental policy.
