(ANSA) - A tiny island west of Naples is to show the rest of Italy that giving up fossil fuels doesn't mean renouncing modern life and its creature comforts.
Ventotene will gradually replace all its fossil fuels with energy from renewable sources in a bid to demonstrate that environmentally friendly strategies can work effectively in the real world and help cut dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.
The idea, unveiled by Lazio Regional Environment Councillor Angelo Bonelli at a global warming conference in Montreal, is still being finalised but the broad outline has already been decided.
Cars running on gas will be banned from the island and the cars, buses and motorbikes of residents will gradually be replaced with electric vehicles, including all public transport.
Energy will be drawn from solar sources, with panels set up on roofs and around the island, several of which will provide direct "recharge" points for vehicles.
"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," said Bonelli.
There will be a simultaneous drive to encourage people to reduce energy waste, while non-residential electricity consumers (public and private) will gradually install energy-efficient lighting technology in their facilities as part of the European Union's Greenlight program.
"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 show it was 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 island was fully behind the idea and excited to be participating in the drive to become an "emissions-free zone".
"The councillor told me of the plan and our administration is ready to engage in the initiative fully," he said.
The island is already home to a nature reserve and this experiment, the first of its kind, would make it a real reference point for the rest of Italy".
Italy, like several other European countries, is well behind on its goal under the Kyoto protocol, which requires a 6.5% reduction in its 1990 emissions levels of 521 million tons.
In 2002, greenhouse gas emissions in Italy had instead risen by 8.8% and current predictions put estimated CO2 emissions for 2010 at 576 million tons - a 20% increase.
The 141-nation Kyoto protocol, which came into effect mid-February, seeks to curb levels of heat-trapping gases blamed for global warming. It commits 39 of the world's most industrialized nations to an overall 5.2% reduction on 1990 levels by 2012, although targets vary from country to country.
