Energy Performance in Italian Public Administration

The commitment to improve energy and environmental performance in public administration (PA) is essential for the success of development models geared towards lasting sustainability. The PA has a dual consumer/user role, public heritage and decision maker/planner, in promoting energy efficiency at local level, in the light of specific problems and peculiarities. For several decades, initiatives have been launched at various levels to improve energy and environmental performance in the PA. The aim of this study is to outline from a critical perspective, the state of the art of policy makers in Italy concerning energy efficiency measures in PA and the main issues impeding the achievement of its full potential. We also analyze the driving forces for implementing systems and tools to improve energy efficiency. The European Union Directive (2012/27/EU) recently adopted in Italy gives the PA the task of promoting energy efficiency at national level by defining and implementing policies and measures aimed at improving energy performance.