The Environment and its Protection as Fundamental Principle of the Italian Constitution: A Constitutional Innovation that Looks to Future Generations?

This article deals with two innovative aspects of Italian Constitutional Law. Firstly, the revisionmade by constitutional law no. 1/2022 that introduced (in art. 9 and 41 of the Italian Constitution)the principle according to which the Republic protects the environment, biodiversity,and ecosystems in the interest of future generations. Secondly, this article points out a recen trend in the constitutional reform process in Italy, particularly in the XVIII Legislature, that constitutionalreforms are increasingly being implemented through specific/sectoral amendments.Apart from characterizing the indicated innovations, I also draw attention to their minor systemicconsequences.