201 Italian municipalities have obtained the recognition Blue Flags 2021. A growing figure for our country compared to last year with 6 more locations thanks to 15 new entries and to the 9 unconfirmed municipalities. The Blue Flags 2021 are awards given to marine and lake municipalities with the best waters, the greatest respect for the environment and quality bathing services, awarded every spring by the Danish NGO FEE, Foundation for Environmental Education. But which are the regions with the most Blue Flags 2021?
The Blue Flags 2021: Liguria in first place
To dominate the ranking is Liguria with 32 locations recognized Blue Flags 2021. Campania is growing, winning second place at the expense of Toscana which pays for the release of three locations compared to last year. Puglia is also doing well with three new entries and one release that attest to 17 resorts with crystal clear waters, the same number as Tuscany. 16 flags instead for the Marche. Two more locations (but one exit) for Calabria, which is at an altitude of 15, followed by Sardinia which reconfirms its 14 municipalities. Abruzzo is growing, rising to 13 with 3 new entries, and also Lazio, reaching 11 with 2 new entries.
The new Blue Flag locations 2021
The Trentino Alto Adige flags with the Sicilia which reaches the same number thanks to two new entries. Confirmed the 9 flags of Veneto, as well as the 7 locations of Emilia Romagna. Basilicata confirms its 5 localities; there are two releases in Piedmont which obtains 2 Flags; Friuli Venezia Giulia confirms the 2 of the previous year. Molise remains with 1 Flag, Lombardy also confirms 1 Blue Flag. These are the new award-winning locations:
- Abruzzo: Francavilla al Mare, Pescara and Martinsicuro.
- Calabria: Diamante and Santa Maria del Cedro.
- Campania: Camerota.
- Lazio: Fondi and Minturno
- Brands: Altidona.
- Puglia: Bisceglie, Monopoli and Nardò.
- Sardinia: Aglientu.
- Sicily: Roccalumera and Modica.
I am instead 416 beaches with crystal clear sea, nine more than last year (the same municipality can have more awarded lidos). The figure corresponds to about 10% of the beaches awarded worldwide, while the Flags on the lakes drop to 16, with two outputs.
Blue Flags 2021, birth and criteria
La Blue Flag is an international recognition of the quality of the sea and of the services of the seaside resorts, established in 1987 European Year of the Environment. It is awarded annually by the NGO FEE - Foundation for Environmental Education in 49 countries. It can count on the support and participation of the two UN agencies: UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) and UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) with which the FEE has signed a global partnership protocol recognized by UNESCO as world leader in the field of environmental education and education for sustainable development.
The Blue Flag is awarded not only for the clean sea but if they come 32 criteria were met. Among these are the quality of the water and the cleanliness of the beaches, the policies of environmental protection, the separate collection of waste and the dissemination of cycle paths, the green areas, the presence of pedestrian areas, the services to the beaches, including the accessibility, and street furniture. Among the parameters evaluated, there are also the initiatives promoted by the local administrations for a better livability in the summer period and the enhancement of the naturalistic areas present in the territory.
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