by InTrieste
The Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia this week discussed ongoing environmental monitoring and sustainability initiatives, as officials addressed concerns about air pollution and the impact of cruise ships in Trieste.
Fabio Scoccimarro, the regional councillor for the environment, said that all monitoring activities in the region are conducted by technicians from ARPA, the regional environmental protection agency. He described ARPA as “the operational arm of the Region,” emphasizing that its staff use certified instruments and legally compliant procedures.
Scoccimarro said that the Region will continue to invest in scientific and technological tools to ensure increasingly accurate environmental measurements. “The situation in Trieste remains under control,” he noted, while acknowledging that large cruise ships contribute to local emissions. “It is undeniable that they have an impact,” he said, “but data indicate that it is lower than the combined effect of vehicle traffic and heating systems.”
The councillor cited the closure of the hot area of the Servola steel plant and the decommissioning of the Monfalcone coal-fired power plant as part of the Region’s broader effort to reduce emissions and promote decarbonization in the Gulf of Trieste. He also mentioned an ongoing project to electrify port docks, allowing ships to connect to onshore power and reduce emissions while moored.
Responding to claims that air quality data may be inaccurate, Scoccimarro encouraged those with doubts to contact judicial authorities rather than address the issue through the media or social networks.
He also noted that the city’s main maritime terminal, designed about a century ago, no longer reflects the scale and nature of modern maritime traffic. “It is reasonable to consider new locations for cruise ship docking operations,” he said, referring to the New Port and Old Port areas, “provided they are adequately equipped.”
Trieste, a key port on the Adriatic Sea, continues to balance economic activity tied to tourism and shipping with regional goals for environmental protection and sustainability.
