The green future of Ventotene: the eco-island

The island of Ventotene is home to a beautiful marine nature reserve but also the chosen location for an important local government eco-experiment, the first of its sort; the project, if successful, would make it a real reference point in defending the environment for the rest of Italy and Europe”. The scheme was unveiled by Latium Regional Environment Councillor Mr Angelo Bonelli at a global warming conference in Montreal. At present is still being finalized but the broad outline has already been decided.

Ventotene will be a very green island. It will gradually replace all its fossil fuels with energy from renewable sources in a bid to prove that environmentally friendly strategies can work out successfully in the real world and help cut dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. Cars functioning on gas will be banned from the island and both residents and public transport, buses, cars, and motorbikes will gradually be replaced with electric vehicles.

        Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Reserve

The necessary green energy will be drawn from the abundant solar sources, with panels set up on roofs and around the island, several of which will provide direct “recharge” points for vehicles.The project aims also to preserve the visual beauty of the island. The Councillor Mr Bonelli declared that “All such structures will be of extremely high architectural standards to protect the island’s symbolic value and show how architecture can blend with the environment”.

There will be a simultaneous drive to encourage people to reduce energy waste, while non-residential electricity consumers (public and private) will be encouraged gradually to adopt and install energy-efficient lighting technology in their properties as part of the European Union’s Green light program.

        Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Reserve

“The detail of the interventions will be drawn up by a creative group, in partnership with local institutes and residents’ associations,” explained Bonelli. He said the project would demonsttrate that it is possible “to meet growing energy demands with respect for local balances, and to respect the environment, while producing a sustainable economy”. Ventotene Mayor Giuseppe Assenso said the all island was completely behind the idea and excited to be participating in the drive to become a symbol as “emissions-free zone”.

        Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Reserve