The “Green”characters of Italy’s new National Energy Strategy and its repercussions on the Built Environment | I caratteri Green della nuova Strategia Energetica Nazionale in Italia e le sue ricadute sull'ambiente Costruito

This article takes its cue from the experience gained by the author in recent years in his capacity as a member of the ‘Climate and Energy Policies’ working group at the States General of the Green Economy, which in 2016 began supporting a new National Energy Strategy (or SEN). Recently, the SEN was definitively approved by the joint action of the Italian Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Economic Development. The new SEN will need to prove itself to be equal to the task we need to focus on: accompanying the rapid and radical change that is inundating the national energy system, in line with the aims agreed in Paris, and turning these circumstances into a great opportunity for developing the Italian economy and employment market, investing first and foremost in the near future of cities and buildings. It is therefore worth critically analysing in more detail the potential and the most innovative and important characteristics of the new SEN – as well as, of course, its problematic areas and the limitations that could still be addressed – which is what this article aims to do. The three key issues that have guided the drafting of this new national energy strategy proposal are the following: improving the country’s competitiveness by aligning its energy prices with those of other European countries, improving the safety of energy procurement and supply, and decarbonising the energy system in keeping with the long-term aims of the Paris Agreement, which should be confirmed as irreversible. Given the nature of this triple objective, the role of cities and architecture is central if we want to achieve long-lasting, effective results. The new role of the three pillars of energy efficiency, the bioclimatic approach and the integrated use of renewable fuels in the urban and architectural spheres will be particularly essential, as they can address all three objectives mentioned above, as well as keep the energy costs paid by families and companies under control.