subsequent mitigation. This principle is particularly applicable in the fight against transboundary pollution. The European Union today stands as one of the world’s most advanced entities in terms of environmental protection, not merely as a legal system but as a bearer of a political and social vision grounded in environmental sustainability. Article 37 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is the cornerstone of this approach, stating that a high level of environmental protection must be guaranteed and integrated into all European policies. This provision requires that every EU decision—whether economic, social, agricultural, or industrial— must account for environmental impact, thereby realizing true environmental mainstreaming. This vision has found its fullest expression in the European Green Deal, adopted by the European Commission in December 201946. The European Green Deal represents a set of political initiatives with the overarching goal of achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. It acts as a strategic package intended to steer the EU toward a green transition. However, the Green Deal is not merely an environmental project; it constitutes a comprehensive plan for economic revitalization and building a more equitable society47. The parallel with the American New Deal of the 1930s is significant. Like President Roosevelt’s 1933–1939 program, the European Green Deal aims to create new jobs, promote technological innovation, and reduce social inequalities through ecological transition. The plan envisions mobilizing investments of at least €1 trillion over the next ten years, turning the environmental challenge into an opportunity for sustainable economic growth. The European strategy is structured around ambitious but concrete goals: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and ensuring net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These targets are part of a broader vision that includes decarbonizing the economy, promoting the circular economy, protecting biodiversity, and achieving a toxic-free environment. The Green Deal is also characterized by its multidimensional approach, covering strategic sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, construction, and industry. The European Climate Law, adopted in 2021, granted legally binding status to the climate neutrality goal by 2050, transforming political commitment into legal obligation. 46 European Commission, Communication “The European Green Deal”, COM(2019) 640 final, 11 December 2019, available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52019DC0640. 47 E. Blasizza (ed.), Ambiente 2025, IPSOA HSE Manuals, Milan, 2025, pp. 163 ff. 139 THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT
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