Air quality: challenges, scenarios and strategies

Air quality is a priority for the regions of the Po Valley basin, and the measures put in place have led to an improvement trend; however, the orographic conformation and meteorological-climatic characteristics influence the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere and compliance with the limit values set by European legislation. To reduce pollution, the regions have approved air quality plans, while the Italian government has adopted the National Action Plan. The Po Valley regions have been collaborating for years in monitoring, in building scenarios, and in implementing common measures and tools. However, the targets set by the new EU Directive 2024/2881 represent an ambitious challenge and will require the activation of even more effective measures in every sector. Technological innovation and research are the levers that can support this process. Sustainable mobility, among the various areas in which action is needed, represents one of the most strategic challenges for promoting change.

Session Chair

Marco Ottolenghi, ART-ER

Program

16.30 Introduction

16.35 Air quality in the Po Valley basin: from data to strategies
Irene Priolo, Regional Councillor for Territorial Planning, Environment, Mobility and Transport, Infrastructure, Emilia-Romagna Region
Giorgio Maione, Regional Councillor for Environment and Climate, Lombardia Region
Matteo Marnati, Regional Councillor for Environment, Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Innovation, Research, Digital Services for Citizens and Businesses, Piemonte Region
Elisa Venturini, Regional Councillor for Environment, Climate, Parks and Civil Protection, Veneto Region

17.05 The National Action Plan and implementing measures: an integrated approach towards the new European directive on air quality
Stefania Crotta, Director General of Programs and Financial Incentives, Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (TBC)
Fabio Romeo, Head of Atmospheric Pollution and Air Quality, Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (TBC)

17.20 New technologies and alternative energy carriers for sustainable mobility
Alfredo Liverani, University of Bologna - Department of Industrial Engineering

17.30 Transport and air quality: impacts, limits and decision-support tools
Valentina Agresti, Energy Systems Research - RSE S.p.A.

17.40 AI in support of assessments: VERA, the digital twin for air quality in Emilia-Romagna
Giovanni Farneti, Head of the Big Data & IoT Area - Lepida ScpA

17.50 Closing remarks
Cleto Carlini, Director General for Territory and Environment Care, Emilia-Romagna Region