Environment and Official Statistics: Data Needs and Data Availability

Environment is an ambitious challenge, at European and national level, demanding innovative responses. In the Sixth Environment Action Program (6th EAP) of the European Community four target sectors were designated as areas for priority actions, climate change, nature and biodiversity, environment and health and quality of life, natural resources and waste. This choice was motivated principally by the close relation between these areas and economic growth, competitiveness and employment objectives, and the necessity to direct European efforts towards a sustainable development. This paper describes and discusses the political basis underpinning the so called Lisbon strategy and sustainable development strategy of the European Community; data needs and data availability through main indicators, selected in order to monitor the strategy according to environmental issues and some economic and social sector. Results are discussed according to EU25, EU15 and Italy, with some further deepening when possible. Some considerations on how in Italy statistical data availability could meet the environmental policy’s engagement and how cope with some data gaps are finally presented