Parliament approves green economy law

(ANSA) - Rome, December 22 - The Lower House on Tuesday gave its definitive approval to a package of measures promoting sustainable development, the green economy, and saving natural resources.
    The bill was approved with 169 votes in favour, 32 against and 11 abstaining. The new law "simplifies and promotes the re-use of resources with the aim of conceiving a new development model based on environmental sustainability," environment undersecretary Silvia Velo said in a statement. The new law contains provisions on environmental impact, waste management, sustainable transport, and protected marine areas, among other things. "This law, which introduces the term 'green economy' in Italy for the first time, truly represents an extraordinary opportunity for combining economic development and environmental sustainability," she said. Separately on Tuesday, national statistics agency Istat said that in 2014 air pollution was a concern for 50% of Italians, followed by waste production and disposal (47%) and then by climate change (42%).
    Over two-thirds of Italians tried not to waste electricity or water.