environmental protection

Valle d'Aosta Regional Law 17/98

Name of Act
Valle d'Aosta Regional Law 17/98 of 28/04/1998 Rules on External Lighting
Date of Adoption
04-28-1998
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

The objectives of this law include: a) limiting light pollution within the regional territory; b) safeguarding nocturnal fauna and migratory routes of avifauna from the effects of light pollution; c) protecting both professional and non-professional astronomical observatories, along with their surroundings, from the impacts of light pollution. According to this legislation, any form of artificial light irradiation outside its designated functional areas, especially towards the celestial vault, is deemed light pollution. The law specifies exemptions for certain lighting sources, which fall outside the scope of the regulation.

Piedmont Regional Law 31/00

Name of Act
Piedmont Regional Law 31/00 of 24/03/2000 on the Prevention and Fighting of Light Pollution and for the Correct Use of Energy Resources
Date of Adoption
03-24-2000
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

This law is designed to achieve the following objectives: a) Decrease light and optical pollution by comprehensively rationalizing public lighting services, with a specific focus on minimizing consumption and enhancing the luminous efficiency of systems. b) Safeguard the natural biorhythms of plants and animals, especially the migratory routes of avifauna, by addressing and mitigating the impacts of light pollution. c) Enhance the environment by upholding the ecological balance of protected natural areas. d) Mitigate glare and visual fatigue stemming from light pollution, contributing to an improvement in road traffic safety. e) Protect the sites hosting both professional and non-professional astronomical observatories of regional or provincial significance, as well as their surroundings, from the detrimental effects of light pollution. f) Improve the quality of life and conditions within urban centers while enhancing the preservation of monumental and architectural environmental assets.

Tuscany Regional Law 37/00

Name of Act
Tuscany Regional Law 37/00 of 21/03/2000 on the Prevention of Light Pollution
Date of Adoption
03-21-2000
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

This law prescribes measures for the prevention of light pollution in the regional territory, in order to protect and improve the environment, to maintain the ecological balance in protected natural areas, as well as in order to promote research and dissemination activities science of astronomical observatories.

Veneto Region Law 17/09

Name of Act
Veneto Region Law 17/09 of 07/08/09 on the containment of Light Pollution, Energy Saving in Outdoor Lighting and for the Protection of the Environment and the Activity carried out by Astronomical Observatories
Date of Adoption
07-08-2009
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

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.

Campania Regional Law 12/02

Name of Act
Campania Regional Law 12/02 of 25/07/02 on the Containment of Light Pollution and Energy Consumption from Public and Private Outdoor Lighting for the Protection of the Environment, Astronomical Observations Carried out by Professional and Amature Astronomers, and for the Proper Protection of Historical Centers
Date of Adoption
07-25-2002
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

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.

Lazio Regional Law 23/00

Name of Act
Lazio Regional Law 23/00 of 13/04/00 on the Reduction and Prevention of Light Pollution
Date of Adoption
04-13-2000
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

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.

Marche Regional Law 10/02

Name of Act
Marche Regional Law 10/02 of 24/07/02 on Urgent Measures Regarding Energy Saving and Containment of Light Pollution
Date of Adoption
07-24-2002
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

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.

Emilia Romagna Regional Law 19/03

Name of Act
Emilia Romagna Regional Law 19/03 of 29/09/2003 of the Emilia Romagna Region on the Reduction of Light Pollution and Energy Savings
Date of Adoption
09-29-2003
Country
EU Member
Yes
Description

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.

Lombardy Regional Law 31/15

Name of Act
Lombardy Regional Law 5 October 2015, n. 31 on Measures to improve the efficiency of external lighting systems with the aim of saving energy and reducing light pollution
Date of Adoption
05-10-2015
Country
Region
EU Member
Yes
Description

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

Ordinance on the Prohibition of the Use of Lighting Sources in Sea Turtle Nesting Areas

Name of Act
Ordinance 11, of January 30, 1995 on the Prohibition of the Use of Lighting Sources in Sea Turtle Nesting Areas, Mentioned in the Ordinance
Date of Adoption
01-30-1995
Country
EU Member
No
Description

Prohibits the use of lighting sources in sea turtle nesting areas, mentioned in this ordinance.