Political-administrative approaches towards energy-environment issues

A discussion is made of how Italian regional administrations could best approach the implementation of environmental strategies mirroring those proposed by the United Nations, especially those calling for a rapid reduction in carbon dioxide emissions to abate the risk of greenhouse gas induced climate change. Citing the current difficulties being had by the Italian national government in securing adequate funding to allow the fulfillment of already legislated and urgently needed energy conservation/environmental protection proposals, this paper calls for greater involvement and high level of social awareness on the part of regional governments. It is noted that, within the Italian context, the best approach towards the cost effective implementation of energy conservation/environmental protection strategies is to have a combined effort, involving municipally run power and gas utilities and transport departments acting together with concerned citizens, under the direct management of regional administrations