Italy

Through this legislation, the Veneto Region aims to: a) Reduce light and optical pollution, along with the associated energy consumption; b) Establish consistent design criteria to enhance the quality of light in road traffic safety systems; c) Safeguard scientific and popular research activities conducted by astronomical observatories from the effects of light pollution; d) Protect the natural environment, encompassing territory, the natural rhythms of animal and plant species, and ecological balances both within and outside protected natural areas, from light pollution; e) Safeguard landscape; f) Preserve the vision of the starry sky for the benefit of the regional population; g) Disseminate awareness among the public on issues related to light pollution and provide training for technicians with expertise in the field of lighting. According to this law, the starry sky is considered a natural heritage that requires preservation and enhancement.

The objectives of this legislation are as follows: a) To achieve a reduction in energy consumption and prevent light pollution stemming from the utilization of outdoor (external) lighting systems of all types, including advertising. b) To establish consistent design criteria aimed at enhancing the light quality of safety systems for road traffic, as well as promoting the improvement of urban centers and the preservation of the cultural and architectural heritage within the Campania Region. c) To safeguard professional astronomical observatories and amateur ones of regional or provincial significance from the adverse effects of light pollution. d) To protect the natural environment and preserve the natural biorhythms of animal and plant species. e) To promote public awareness of issues related to light pollution and facilitate the training of technicians within public administrations in this field.

This law prescribes measures for the reduction and prevention of light pollution in the regional territory deriving from the use of external lighting systems of any type, including those of an advertising nature, which in addition to reducing energy consumption, pursue the purpose of protecting and improve the environment and to allow the best performance of research and scientific dissemination activities of professional and non-professional astronomical observatories. For the purposes of the application of this law, light pollution means any form of artificial light irradiation directed directly or indirectly towards the celestial vault.

Promotes the reduction in the regional territory of light pollution and energy consumption deriving from it in order to conserve and enhance the environment and to promote and protect the scientific research and dissemination activities of astronomical observatories. Any form of artificial light radiation that is dispersed outside the areas to which it is functionally dedicated is considered light pollution of the atmosphere, in particular, if oriented above the horizon line. The Law introduces several technical measures to address light pollution and its impacts.

Promotes the reduction of light pollution and energy consumption deriving from it as well as the protection of the scientific research and dissemination activities of astronomical observatories. Any form of artificial light radiation that is dispersed outside the areas to which it is functionally dedicated and if oriented above the horizon line is considered light pollution. All new public and private external lighting systems must be accompanied by certification of conformity with this law.

Adopted general measures to address light pollution and its adverse environmental and energy consumption impacts.