THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND THE REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE GENERATIONS: WHAT MODELS FOR ITALY? COMPARATIVE LAW SUGGESTIONS*

Résumé

This essay explores the ongoing discourse on environmental reforms in Italy,
particularly focusing on the inclusion of future generations’ rights in the
Constitutional Charter. It examines the political and scienti"c debates surrounding
recent constitutional amendments, highlighting the integration of environmental
protection and intergenerational equity into Italy's legal framework.
The essay offers a comparative exam of the approach to the intergenerational issue
in constitutional charters all over the world. The analysis wants to highlight
different methods of embedding intergenerational responsibility within
constitutional texts, ranging from preambles to speci"c articles on environmental
and economic policies.
Furthermore, the essay discusses the institutional models adopted by various
countries to give future generations’ interests effective tools of representation and
protection. It highlights the roles of ombudsmen, independent authorities,
advisory bodies, and parliamentary committees in ensuring that future
generations’ rights are considered in policymaking.
The essay concludes by re#ecting on the potential models Italy could adopt to
effectively implement its constitutional mandate, emphasizing the need for robust
representation and protection mechanisms for future generations.