ITACA PROTOCOL implementation

This action can be recognized as a Support and Encouragement action for Eco-Innovation activities in the specific area of Sustainable Buildings because it concerns with the definition of methodologies and guidelines for public and private stakeholders to follow during the process of creation of a sustainable building in all the phases involved, more specifically design, choice of materials, operative construction, application of eco-innovative and energy-efficient technologies, reuse of materials, waste disposal, certification through the calculation of the integrated energy performance of buildings, both for new as well as old buildings.

In the regulation context on Sustainable Building (Kyoto Protocol, EU Directive on energy performance of buildings, 2002/91/EC, Italian Decree Law 192/2005 on "Rules for the implementation of the National Energy Plan on Rational Use of Energy, Energy Saving and development of renewable energy"), the ITACA Institute developed the ITACA protocol as a tool of regulatory procedures and methodologies for planning environmentally sustainable construction.
With the establishment of a specific Working Group (December 6, 2001), ITACA Institute has emphasised the necessity to initiate a comparison between the Italian regions to allow the formulation of a shared set of rules by which to define the thresholds and requirements necessary for the preparation of green building projects and eco-sustainable building. It is on such a basis a shared working protocol (Protocol ITACA) has been developed which allows buildings to be allocated a score of eco-sustainability based on:

•    scientific certainty,
•    public interest,  
•    simplicity.
 
The ITACA Institute born in 1996, fostered by the Italian regions, with the name , "Institute for Innovation and transparency in procurement and environmental compatibility", is a kind of federal association, with the aim of activating actions and initiatives shared by the regional system to promote and ensure effective technical coordination between the regions and autonomous provinces, providing:

•    The definition and development of procedures for the management and / or award of contracts through the introduction of quality systems in administrative procedures inspired by the principles of the UNI EN ISO.
•    The promotion and dissemination of good practices in services, supplies and public works for urban quality and environmental sustainability.

In the sitting of 15 March 2007, the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces has approved the draft regional law on "Standards for Sustainable Building." Such a proposal was drafted by the working group coordinated by the architect Silvia Catalino from Marche Region.

The action aims to provide a shared set of rules by which to define the thresholds and requirements necessary for the preparation of green building projects and eco-sustainable building. On such a basis the Itaca protocol allows buildings to be allocated a score of eco-sustainability and provides a shared set of rules in order to define the thresholds and requirements.

This instrument consists of a set of rules and requirements that list the type of performance, not only the characteristic parameters of a particular aspect (such as thermal insulation, etc.), but identifies primarily the ultimate goal which is to be pursued and which consists mainly in reducing energy consumption below a predefined threshold.

The evaluation process helps to objectify the performance of the building providing a common base of reference for all stakeholders, such as property owners, builders, designers and operators of the sector, which would define their strategies for the  development of building approach on the basis of the result foresaw.
Another important aspect of the application of rating systems of this type is the ability to communicate the performance achieved and, consequently, to promote environmental quality achieved through the availability of a certificate of sustainability of the property also recognized internationally.

 The activity is carried out through committees and working groups set up, plus the regional technicians, and by representatives of local governments and organizations representing the interests of the sector. This has allowed, firstly, a broad and practical comparison on contingency questions and, secondly, knowledge exchange and sharing of projects which can build socio-economic and environmental  hypotheses of development in the market sector.

The protocol represents an extremely innovative instrument for Italy which because the Italian Regions have begun to outline, in a coordinated and uniform way, the principle lines on how to manage Green Building and Eco-sustainability of buildings, through a detailed survey of the state of the art in various sectors and the exchange of information between those regions which have already gained experience in this area, in order to develop a cognitive synergy and  common strategies in the field.
It is therefore possible to match all the requirements of welfare and usability of buildings that meet the need for a better quality of life within the framework of the ecosystems and the possibility of renewal of natural resources through the reduction of the consumption of non-renewable energy, the balance between natural and anthropogenic systems.

It should be stressed that the regional territory has climatic, social, environmental and urban characteristics not allowing their precise applicability. However all the principles that underlie the green building and environmentally sustainable building and which consist in the construction of buildings in accordance with the principle of respect for the surrounding environment are shared and proposed with the purpose of a higher level of comfort for people who use them.

print