To comply with E.U. Directive 2002/91 Italy issued Legislative Decree N° 192 of 19 August 2005, currently Leg. Dec. 311, which came into force in February 2007.

Annually, every housing unit disperses on average into the atmosphere from 1.8 to 3.5 (south/north) tonnes of greenhouse gas for heating alone, taking this country to the bottom of the table in terms of energy performance: the decree brings Italy directly into line with current performance in the rest of Europe as regards rendering and cladding insulation.

Together with the use of alternative energy sources (significant only in well-insulated buildings), the law aims at complying with the European Directives that demand a reduction in polluting emissions of 20% by 2020 and of 50% by 2050. In particular, Italy is committed to a reduction of 6% by 2012 compared with the 1990 figures.