The Arma dei Carabinieri is a police force with military status and general competencies with a territorial mission and an international projection.
The most original feature of its organisational model is to be found in the widespread distribution of over 5,000 departments, scattered throughout the national territory, which are capable of responding, with immediate effectiveness, to the different security needs of citizens, from large cities to smaller villages.
In over 200 years of the history of the Corps, this “proximity” has also favoured the development of specific operational models, aimed at supporting widespread community interests concerning life quality, and specialised units have recently been committed to ensuring their protection.
The protection of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems is one of the main sectors to which the organisation has directed its attention.
The Carabinieri’s engagement in environmental protection dates back to 1986 and was strengthened in 2017 with the establishment of the Organisation for Forestry, Environmental and Food Protection (CUFA): over 7,000 highly qualified personnel are dedicated to the control and care of the territory as environmental police, preventing and combating biodiversity and ecosystem damage, as well as supervising and certifying legal food production. In addition, for fulfilling such goals, the CUFA Carabinieri carry on actions belonging to the process of sensibilization and dissemination of environmental education, to encourage the responsibility of today’s citizens, but above all of tomorrow’s.
In particular, within this organisation:
- the Carabinieri Command for Forestry and Natural Parks Protection, divided into more than 700 local Stations, operates to prevent and suppress environmental crimes and also contributes to the care of the territory through environmental surveillance and the monitoring of forest ecosystems;
- the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Biodiversity manages 130 Natural States Reserves and 19 state-owned forests. Furthermore, they are in charge of enforcing the CITES Washington Conventionis specifically tasked with safeguarding protected areas and biodiversity and operates through 20 Park Departments and 148 Park Stations which also contribute to;
- the Carabinieri Command for Environmental Protection and Ecological Transition, organised in 29 Operational Ecological Teams (NOE), is in charge of combating severe forms of pollution, organized environmental crimes, and national and international illicit waste trafficking;
- the Carabinieri Command for Food Protection operates throughout Italy to prevent and suppress the fraud to the detriment of the quality of agricultural and food products, as well to verify the correct destination and regular use of the funds disbursed by the European Union in support of agricultural revenue.
THE INTERNATIONAL “GREEN” COMMITMENT
In an era in which globalisation has virtually eliminated the distance and time-delays of exchanges and relationships, the impact of environmental disasters and the depletion of natural resources has also grown on a global scale and has been aggravated by climate change. Viewed in light of food security and population growth, these factors can influence international competitive dynamics, as well as geopolitical relations and migratory phenomena, causing sudden upheavals of economic, social and political balances. It is within this context that the activities undertaken for the protection of the environment and resources should be viewed, and we can summarize the under the principle of “comprehensive approach”, i.e., an all-encompassing approach towards crisis management.
The Carabinieri ensures the protection of territory, the environment, agriculture and forestry in compliance with fundamental human rights and related to international humanitarian commitment, in order to avoid lasting, extensive and serious damage to the environment.
Participation in projects financed by international organizations is an integral part of this strategy through dedicated missions, in which The Carabinieri play a fundamental role, where the international training became a keyston to enhance the capability of all the institutional actors involved.
THE CARABINIERI:
- contribute with their own qualified personnel to the network of UNESCO environmental experts –the “International Environmental Experts Network” –which can be employed for planning and design interventions, alongside local authorities in places recognised as World Heritage Sites;
- play a key-role in achieving the 17 objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the programme shared by the entire international community that aims to meet the needs of current generations without compromising the possibility of future ones;
- operate in partnership with international organisations and actors
THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AND ITS INSTITUTIONAL MISSION
The Center of Excellence for Environmental Protection (CoEEP), operating under the authority of the Carabinieri Forestry School (SFC), was established on 11 March 2024 following the reconfiguration of the former Carabinieri Training Center of Sabaudia.
CoEEP was strongly promoted by the Carabinieri to strengthen international cooperation among countries in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development, in light of the international community’s recognition of the importance of effective measures to ensure the protection of landscapes and wildlife, address the global threat posed by the consequences of climate change, and prevent ecological and environmental crises.
The achievement of these objectives can be facilitated through appropriate training and the exchange of experiences, methodologies, case studies and investigative practices among authorities and law enforcement agencies—areas in which the Carabinieri Forestry Corps boasts decades of international experience.
CoEEP is located in Sabaudia, in the province of Latina, within the Circeo National Park, a UNESCO MAB site, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and less than an hour and a half from Rome. The Center is dedicated to delivering a wide range of training courses, covering activities from environmental prevention and management, to the protection and restoration of habitats and ecosystems, up to investigative activities related to transnational environmental crimes and the achievement of the “zero impact” emissions goal in international missions abroad, in support of local populations.
Training programmes have a minimum duration of five days and are conducted in English and French. Lessons are delivered by Carabinieri officers and external speakers, including academics, experts and university lecturers.
For certain topics (wildfires and hydrogeological instability), it is possible to take part in virtual and interactive training through the use of a simulator.
During the courses, participants have the opportunity to combine theoretical training with practical applications through various activities such as case study analysis, exercises, site visits and workshops.
In addition to the courses listed in the catalogue, it is possible to design a specific tailor-made training offer, adapted to the specific needs of foreign partners.
THIS TRAINING HUB HAS:
- an auditorium with 140 seats and two interpreter booths;
- two multimedia classrooms with a capacity of 20 seats each and a third room with 32 seats;
- 24 single rooms with private bathroom equipped with a fridge and water boiler. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, with daily cleaning service and regular change of bed linen and towels;
- two mini-apartments with kitchen;
- a wide range of facilities including a canteen, a laundry, leisure room and garden area.
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Wi-Fi is avaible.
