Large-scale projects of the national network of Environmental Agencies

Inter-Agency Technical Commissions

The planning and implementation of forms of integration between private bodies and public administrations interested in managing the main environmental problems helps guarantee high levels of environmental protection and therefore contributes to the competitiveness of territorial systems and enterprises. In order to supply information and, above all, instruments designed to support a territorial and sectorial planning policy addressing real territorial needs, APAT has set up a series of technical commissions leading to collaborations between the National Agencies and the System of Environmental Agencies of the Regions and autonomous Provinces (ARPA/APPA). The aim is to implement environmental protection actions with reference to the environmental theme addressed by each commission and identify priorities: this means supporting the administrations by supplying the necessary technical assistance. Moreover, the information and exchange process makes it possible to share the experiences, solutions, and products of each Agency effectively, efficiently and economically.
The following Inter-Agency Technical Commissions that have been launched so far and are currently on-going:

• urban areas
• environmental and health project
• noise
• electromagnetic fields
• environmental impact assessment (EIA)
• strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
• emission inventories and air quality improvement plans
• environmental auditing and balance
• national reference laboratories
• Sinanet standards, instruments and data
• data input and interpretation urban waste management
• Kyoto and the planning of the transport system and of the environmental pollution emergency (in the process of being launched).

A representative from the regional/autonomous province Agencies wishing to participate will sit on the commissions.
The relationship between APAT and the single Agencies is regulated by an agreement stipulating the following:

• the Agencies participating;
• the purpose of the Commission;
• the establishment of the scientific secretariat; the members taking part; the activities to be carried out and procedures to be implemented.

The Scientific Secretariat will define the contents of the operative programme as well as the agenda. Meetings will take place on a monthly basis (or more frequently) to examine problems linked to attainment of objectives, to agree upon initiatives to be undertaken and to check the progress of the activities launched so far. The Technical Commissions launched so far and currently on-going are financed by the Department for the State of the Environment and Environmental Metrology at the APAT. The Department Head participates in and supervises the Scientific Secretariat of the Technical Commission.