Page 71 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

Tackling Environmental Crime throUgh standardized Methodologies

Hon. Enrico Costa
Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomies

Thank you. I would like to thank the Carabinieri Corps and General Del
Sette for inviting me to participate in this important conference and I would
take this opportunity to make a contribution with a reflection on the state of
the territory and of the local communities, in relation to the new environmental
and social challenges we have to face. It’s a reflection that I would like to focus
on three aspects: prevention of environmental crimes through regulatory sim-
plification; reduction of public intervention, returning some space to society
and to the free market; defending local communities who play an essential role
in the protection of the territory.

Environmental crimes are often connected to crimes against Public
Administration: public contracts in the sector of the environment are among
the most exposed to illegality, due in part to operational procedures and the
legal framework being particularly cumbersome. I am therefore convinced that
our reply to environmental crime must be deeply rooted also in community spi-
rit and social control: abuse and illegality are in fact facilitated by a body of
complicated rules enforced by a few subjects who can play an exclusive role.
The complexity of the rules and procedures makes it difficult, if not impossi-
ble, to exercise the necessary social control. And excessively complicated rules
can also lead to opposite extremes, which detract from the prevention of ille-
gality. In fact, when in the face of emergencies paralysis is evident, hyper sim-
plification may be the last resort, through the institution of compulsory admi-
nistration, a system that is clearly characterised by fewer guaranties. In brief
environment and legality are better guaranteed by a simple state intervention,
particularly by local government, which may contribute to simplification, tran-
sparency and clarity of rules and procedures. This is the first aspect.

Second aspect. Social control and the involvement of citizens in the poli-
tical process are typical of advanced societies based on a free and transparent
market in which the state does not invade the sphere of economy and does not
weigh excessively on society. In this area we need to continue reforming Public
Administration and local institutions reducing the intrusiveness of public insti-

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