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Italy's vast forest wealth is definitely undervalued economically. This is why the country imports large quantities of wood from abroad every year. Technology, forestry and training are needed to take advantage of this precious resource

Capraia Smart Island is a laboratory of "green" ideas accredited far beyond the borders of the island. On the terraces of Capraia and similar areas mechanisation can provide technological solutions with which to facilitate cultivation operations. EIMA International will give voice to the agromechanical needs of these fascinating territories

The eighth edition of the Biogas Italy event reiterated the importance of digestate for carbon neutral agriculture. Biogas plants contribute not only to energy generation but also to the production of fertilisers, derived from digestate

The Final Conference of the BRANCHES Project, hosted at FAO headquarters in Rome, presented the results of the European project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme to facilitate the development of the bioeconomy. BRANCHES as a multiplier of good practices

Innovating the machinery of forestry operators is essential for active forest management. The Abruzzo-based GESTA project, financed by MASAF, distinguishes itself for combining new technologies with some traditional local practices

The project was launched in October 2022 to support the growth of bioeconomy and related supply chains, involving twelve partners in nine different countries. Italy, where three of the nine regional hubs under the project will be activated, has been assigned a leading role

Even if energy costs returned close to pre-crisis levels, the economic shock was very severe and highlighted the role of the bioeconomy in supporting energy independence, local resources and communities with respect to this emergency. All this emerges clearly from a survey conducted for the BRANCHES project

In order to cope with climate change, health emergencies and geopolitical instability, Europe has long relied on strategies aimed at sustainability. The BRANCHES project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme has collected a large number of virtuous examples of circular bio-economy in agriculture. These models show a remarkable capacity to withstand the adversities of our times and bode well for the future

Mondo Macchina interviews Nicola Colonna, from the Sustainability Department, Biotechnology and Agroindustry Division of the ENEA Casaccia, Research Centre, who analyses the new landscape of photovoltaic technologies, which represent a development driver for primary sector companies and an important source of sustainable supply

The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised the question of diversification of energy supply sources with particular urgency. With this view, renewables are called upon to play a strategic role, as demonstrated by the story of the biomass district heating plant in the South Tyrolean municipality of Rasun-Anterselva, included as an example of good practicein the EU project "BRANCHES"

Against the dramatic backdrop of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we must not lose sight of the strategy to decarbonise Europe. At the invitation of the FREE (Renewable Sources and Energy Efficiency) Coordination, a group of experts met to discuss the italian energy model

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is taking its toll in human, economic and social terms. In addition to the direct consequences of the war, there are also the consequences of rising agri-food prices caused by soaring fuel and fertiliser prices. Circular economy and renewable sources are key to combating food insecurity and energy prices

Italy finally has a precise National Forest Strategy (NFS). The document produced by MiPAAF in collaboration with other competent Ministries will be a tool for the benefit of the forest heritage in the collective interest of Italy. The strategic objective will be to ensure productive and sustainable management of Italy's forests, which are rich in biodiversity and able to contribute to mitigation and adaptation to the climate crisis. In addition to ecological benefits, positive social and economic effects are expected for rural and mountain communities, for today's citizens and for future generations

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry aims to promote the multifunctionality of the forest and the sustainable use of renewable resources in rural areas. With this in mind, it will finance 27 projects throughout Italy that will implement concrete actions for the proper management of the mountain and inland forestry areas. One of the proposals approved by a committee of experts is the GESTA project, which in Abruzzo has brought together 28 stakeholders including administrations, associations and operators in the primary sector

Soil is not an easily renewable resource and it takes more than two thousand years to form just 10 cm of fertile soil. In a strategy document, the European Commission intends to give soil the same level of protection as the atmosphere, water and marine environment. This Strategy, which will be an integral part of the implementation of the European Green Deal, recognises that healthy soils contribute to a number of EU climate, biodiversity and economic goals. This major challenge requires inclusive and broad governance arrangements at the national, EU and global level

Bioenergy should be recognised as having the capacity to reduce energy dependence by replacing fossil fuels with those derived from residual biomass, which is useful in terms of circularity. Short supply chains for the supply and exploitation (energy and/or industrial) of biomass stimulate the local economy, especially for mountain and rural areas, thanks to the national industry that expresses excellence in the manufacture of machinery and the provision of services

The Capraia Smart Island Project, supported by FederUnacoma since its activation in 2017, is progressing. The component "Circular Economy and Sustainable Agriculture", pays attention and resources to the green management of the small Mediterranean Islands. An essential contribution to the affirmation of agroecology can also come from using machines suited to the specifics of the local context

A GreenItaly 2017 survey on the state of the green economy in Italy was made public in Rome. The document shows the remarkable growth of the sector in the country which extends from renewable energy sources, green recycling in all the Made in Italy areas and the substantial fallout for job creation

From next December, FederUnacoma, in partnership with Itabia – Italian Biomass Association – will coordinate an European project aimed at promoting the use of natural and renewable raw materials for a zeroimpact industry. In this field, a significant synergy between several production sectors, the world of research and political bodies, will make a determined push to succeed in innovative markets