The DNSH principle

The DNSH is a new verification mechanism for public investments, which stipulates that such investments must in no case cause significant harm to the environment. Entering into force in February 2021 on the basis of the EU Taxonomy Regulation 2020/852, Article 17, the DNSH establishes that an economic activity causes significant harm

1. to climate change mitigation if it leads to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions;
2. to climate change adaptation if it leads to an increased negative impact of the current and future climate, either on the activity itself or on people, nature or property;
3. to the sustainable use or protection of water and marine resources if it is detrimental to the good status of water bodies (surface, groundwater or marine) by causing their quality to deteriorate or reducing their ecological potential;
4. to the circular economy, including waste prevention, re-use and recycling, if it leads to significant inefficiencies in the use of recovered or recycled materials, increases in the direct or indirect use of natural resources, significant increases in waste, its incineration or disposal, causing significant long-term environmental damage
5. to the prevention and reduction of pollution if it leads to increased emissions of pollutants into the air, water or soil;
6. the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems if it is detrimental to the good condition and resilience of ecosystems or to the conservation status of habitats and species, including those of Union interest.

In order to respect this principle, the ERDF Programme of the PAT has outlined a set of verifications, which are an integral part of the implementation process of the interventions, thus guaranteeing a complete integration of the DNSH within the Programme in all its phases.

Already with the SEA process, the respect of the DNSH principle was verified in the phase preceding the implementation of the operations and interventions of the ERDF Programme. Subsequently, the guidelines for the integration of the DNSH principle also in the implementation phase of the 2021-2027 ERDF Programme interventions of the Autonomous Province of Trento were approved with the determination of the Director of the UMSe Europe n. 4654 of 08/05/2023.