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This Milestone, namely M3.3, is part of Task 3.3 “Downscaling of future climate projections at the case-study scale and their transfer to the Partners”. The aim of M3.3 is to outline the results of the climate change evaluation over the investigated pilot sites. For the future projections of the climate variables (precipitation and temperature), the data provided by EURO-CORDEX initiative under two emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) are used. The main information on the pilot sites, available data, analyses and results are presented. The data are freely downloadable from the web repository https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7247977. This project is part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 1923.

This work has been developed under the AGROinLOG Project, “Demonstration of innovative integrated biomass logistics centres for the Agro-industry sector in Europe”. An Integrated Biomass Logistics Center (IBLC), is based on the introduction of new production chains into existing agro-industries by using new biomass feedstock. The AGROinLOG Project has dedicated great attention to investigate the potential of cereal chaff as a valuable resource.Chaff is the fine fraction of the thrashing residues, not usually collected. Chaff is made up of glumes, seed husks, rachis and the tinner part of the cereal stems, whole and cracked kernels, as well as weed seeds.Currently there are several mechanical solutions available on the market for chaff recovery, and others are still at prototype stage, but theyare not so common and very often unknown to the farmers.So far, the literature reportsfew cases of chaff collection with the specific purpose of weed seeds removal, but it still lacks specificexperiments on these machinesintentionally used for biomass collection.For this reason, during the Project AGROinLOG a series of large field tests were performed using an independent scientific approach with different kind of chaff harvesting technologiesin France, Sweden and Italy from 2017 to 2019.The present study collects the results of these activities with the aim to fill that gap and provide deeper understanding in the possibility to enhance the current cereal harvesting method, in order to improve the quantity of biomass collected by including the chaff. Proceedings of the 29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 26-29 April 2021, Online, pp. 62-68

The recent dispositions related to the energy performance of buildings, launched by the European Directives 2002/91/EC and 2010/31/EU, turned attention to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The aim of this study is to investigate the economic effects of the recent Italian statutory provisions related to energy performance of buildings on listing behaviour. With this aim an hedonic regression analysis is performed, in order to measure the impact of EPC level on listing prices. The study, based on a set of more than 500 housing property asset collected in 2012 from real estate advertisements websites, is focused on the Turin real estate market as a case study. Furthermore this paper contributes to the early limited literature on implication of the impact of EPC level on Italian housing market, representing one of the first systematic evidence about the energy certifications in the housing listing prices. Aestimum, Aestimum 65 (2014)

Bio-based and biodegradable plastics (BBPs) are innovative materials, wholly or partially produced from biomass, with the potential to enhance the circulation of resources in the biological cycle of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s butterfly diagram. Although BBPs are generally considered more environmental-friendly than conventional plastics, robust scientific evidence is still missing. The lack of tools and metrics to assess the circularity and sustainability of the BBPs industry poses relevant challenges for its upscaling and contribution to climate neutrality goals in Europe. It calls for adopting system and life cycle thinking, guided by multi-level and multi-dimensional examinations, which led researchers to build a comprehensive picture of trends, gaps and future orientations that may boost a sustainable circular bioeconomy in the sector. The value- chain based and multi-faceted SWOT analysis that emerged from the intersection of system and corporate data reveals the need to establish a combined circular bioeconomy strategy where incentives to integrated local supply chain, dedicated EPR scheme, eco-design guidelines, revised EoL standards, new clear labelling schemes and harmonised sustainability criteria should be prioritized and conjointly pursued to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy of the BBPs value chain. European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy, V. 4 N. 2 (2023)

Die Metropolregion Santiago (MRS) verzeichnete in den letzten Jahren ein großes Bevölkerungswachstum und einen Anstieg des Lebensstandards. Als Folge davon hat sich das Aufkommen von Siedlungsabfällen fast innerhalb von 10 Jahren verdoppelt. Die Daten für den aktuellen Zustand des Abfallmanagements wurden durch Feldforschungen, Fragebögen, Feldbesuche und durch eine systematische Auswertung von bereits vorliegender Literatur erhoben. Das integrative Nachhaltigkeitskonzept der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft diente als konzeptioneller Rahmen für die Studie. Zur Bewertung des aktuellen Zustands des Abfallmanagements wurden Nachhaltigkeitsindikatoren identifiziert, deren aktuelle Werte bestimmt und Zielwerte festgelegt. Die Nachhaltigkeitsanalyse zeigt, dass die größten Defizite darin liegen, dass nahezu die gesamte Abfallmenge ohne jegliche Vorbehandlung deponiert wird. Damit verbunden sind lang andauernde Emissionen von Treibhausgasen. Um herauszufinden, wie der informelle Sektor im Abfallmanagement zur Nachhaltigkeit beiträgt, wurden veröffentlichten Erfahrungen mit informellen Müllsammlern in Lateinamerika analysiert. Dabei wurden die entsprechenden Akteure sowie etablierte Allianzen zwischen diesen Akteuren identifiziert. Schlüsselfaktoren für ein nachhaltiges Abfallmanagement unter Einbeziehung des informellen Sektors sind die Legalisierung der Schattenwirtschaft und feste Verträge mit Partnerunternehmen. Relevante Akteure für die Gestaltung der Arbeitsbedingungen des informellen Sektors sind Vertreter privater und öffentlicher Unternehmen, einzelne gesellschaftliche Gruppen sowie Vertreter von Nichtregierungsorganisationen. Schließlich wurden drei explorative Szenarien für das Bezugsjahr 2030 entwickelt: Business as Usual (BAU), Collective Responsibility (CR) und Market Individualism (MI). Das BAU-Szenario enthält eine getrennte Sammlung von Bioabfall und von Wertstoffen; hervorgerufen durch einen verstärkten Organisationsgrad der informellen Müllsammler und den Ausbau von Bring-Systemen. Die Errichtung mechanischer Sortierungsanlagen trägt zur Verwertung der Materialien und zum Recycling bei. Das entstehende Deponiegas und Biogas wird als erneuerbare Energiequelle genutzt. Das CR-Szenario enthält eine getrennte Sammlung von Bioabfall und Wertstoffen. Dies wird erreicht durch eine verstärkte Zusammenarbeit mit den jetzt organisierten Müllsammlern und durch den Ausbau von Bring-Systemen. Mechanische Sortierungsanlagen tragen zur Verwertung von Materialien und zum Recycling bei. Durch Abtrennung einer heizwertreichen Fraktion in mechanisch biologischen Anlagen werden Sekundärbrennstoffe produziert. Darüber hinaus werden, das entstehende Deponiegas sowie das in Vergärungsanlagen erzeugte Biogas energetisch genutzt. Im MI-Szenario sind Wiederverwertungsstrategien von untergeordneter Bedeutung. Es gibt kein Interesse an einer Zusammenarbeit mit den informellen Müllsammlern und keine Anreize für einen verstärkten Organisationsgrad in diesem Bereich. Deshalb bleibt die Branche weitgehend informell. Technologische Entwicklungen in diesem Szenario enthalten die mechanische Sortierung von gemischtem Abfall und die energetische Verwertung von Deponiegas. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass das Pro-Kopf-Aufkommen an Siedlungsabfällen im Jahr 2030 in allen Szenarien deutlich höher als im Jahr 2007 ist und der festgelegte Zielwert von 1,6 kg/Kopf/Tag nicht erreicht wurde. Den höchsten Wert (2,0 kg/Kopf/Tag) weist das MI-Szenario auf, der niedrigste Wert (1,8 kg/Kopf/Tag) wurde im CR-Szenario gefunden. Eine Vorbehandlung der gesammelten gemischten Siedlungsabfälle findet nur im CR-Szenario statt, der entsprechende Wert beträgt 18 %, der Zielwert wird damit nicht erreicht. Die höchsten Treibhausgasemissionen treten im MI-Szenario (295 kg CO2-eq/Kopf/Jahr) auf, den niedrigsten Wert (155 kg CO2-eq/Kopf/Jahr) findet man im CR-Szenario. All diese Werte sind, verglichen mit dem festgelegten Zielwert von 71 kg/Kopf/Jahr, deutlich zu hoch. Der Zielwert für die Wiederverwertungsquote wurde im CR-Szenario erreicht (43 %), den niedrigsten Wert zeigt das MI-Szenario (20 %). Die Zielwerte für das Einkommen der Müllsammler wurden im CR-Szenario erreicht (128 %). Im MI-Szenario beträgt dieser Wert lediglich 51 %. Die Kosten für das Abfallmanagement im Verhältnis zum Bruttoinlandsprodukt sinken in den drei Szenarien. Aus den Ergebnissen lässt sich ableiten, dass ein Einbeziehen von mehreren Faktoren erforderlich ist, um die Nachhaltigkeit des Abfallmanagementsystems in den drei Szenarien zu steigern und dass es von wesentlicher Bedeutung ist, schon vorhandene und gut funktionierende Subsysteme, wie das der informellen Müllsammler, zu nutzen und zu stärken. Ebenso ist die Umsetzung robuster Behandlungstechnologien, die einen Beitrag zur Reduktion negativer Umweltauswirkungen leisten, zu forcieren. Diese Technologien sollten preiswert sein, um ihren Einsatz auch unter wirtschaftlich vertretbaren Gesichtspunkten zu ermöglichen. The Metropolitan Region of Santiago (MRS) has experienced a large growth in population in recent years and a rise in the standard of living. Therefore, its municipal solid waste (MSW) has almost doubled in 10 years. Data about the current situation of MSW management in MRS were collected during field research, interviews, field visits and by a systematic evaluation of existing documentary literature. The Integrative Sustainability Concept of the Helmholtz Association provided a conceptual framework for the study. The sustainability analysis showed that the largest deficits are in the current amount of MSW deposited at sanitary landfills without any pre-treatment, and the emission values of greenhouse gases associated with waste treatment and final disposal. To find out if and how the informal waste sector contributes to sustainability, experiences of organization of informal primary collectors in Latin America were analyzed. The key factors which have an influence on their working conditions were identified. These factors include the existence of a legal framework for the informal waste sector; the existence of alliances with production companies guaranteeing a reliable industrial market for secondary raw materials and expansion of activities beyond collection of recyclables. Key stakeholders included people from the public and the private sector, from the civil society and from NGOs. Three explorative scenarios were developed for the year 2030: Business as Usual (BAU), Collective Responsibility (CR), and Market Individualism (MI). Waste generation, waste composition and different practices of waste collection, recovery and treatment were taken into account for the scenarios formulation. The BAU scenario incorporated separate collection of biowaste, recyclable materials with some participation of organized primary collectors and an expansion of drop-off systems. The mechanical sorting of mixed waste was introduced. The utilization of landfill gas as an energy source was promoted and the production of biogas in anaerobic digestion plants was implemented. The CR scenario incorporated separate collection of biowaste, commitment to work together with the primary waste collectors and an expansion of drop-off systems. The mechanical and mechanical biological treatment of mixed waste was introduced. The utilization of landfill gas as an energy source is promoted and the production of biogas in anaerobic digestion plants was implemented. In the MI separate collection of biowaste and recyclable materials was irrelevant. An organization of the informal primary collectors did not take place. Mechanical sorting of mixed waste was introduced. Utilization of landfill gas as an energy source was promoted. The results showed that the generation flux of MSW is at least 50% larger in all scenarios in 2030 compared to the year 2007, exceeding the limit value proposed. The highest value (2.0 kg/(person•day) is obtained in the MI scenario, and the lowest (1.8 kg/(person•day)) in the CR scenario. Pre-treatment of mixed MSW collected is only achieved in the CR scenario with a value of 18%, however, the target value is not achieved. The highest greenhouse gas emission value is obtained in the MI scenario with 295 kg CO2eq/(person•year), the lowest value of 155 kg CO2-eq/(person•year) is obtained in the CR scenario; a value that is still very high in comparison with the suggested target. The largest recycling rate is obtained in the CR scenario (43%), which is better than the target value proposed, the lowest recycling rate is obtained in the MI scenario (20%). The income of primary collectors in comparison with the income of one individual household is improved significantly in the CR scenario (128%), in the MI scenario, earnings of primary collectors decreased to 51%. The share of GDP spent on MSW management is lower in 2030, compared to the year 2007, in all scenarios the largest value of 0.17% is obtained in the CR scenario, and the lowest value of 0.14% is obtained in the MI scenario. The results of the evaluation of the scenarios showed that the largest sustainability deficits are the amount of mixed MSW which undergoes pre-treatment, the greenhouse gas emissions associated to MSW treatment and disposal, as well as the share of GDP spent on MSW management. The results obtained suggested that an integration of several factors is required to increase sustainability. It is essential to strengthen and take advantage of the subsystems which are working within the waste management system, as in the case of the informal sector. In addition to the implementation of flexible treatment technologies which help to decrease negative environmental impacts. Moreover, the costs of these technologies should be affordable, allowing a better financial management.

Dottorato di ricerca in Scienze e tecnologie per la gestione forestale e ambientale ; European beech represents one of the most important European forest tree species, hence possible adverse factors affecting productivity and management of this species can have strong ecological and economic impacts in Europe. Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, higher temperatures and changes in precipitation are likely to have significant effects on the vegetation period, growth, health and distribution of trees as well as on forest ecosystems, and thus on the goods and services provided by forests. In the 21st century, the Mediterranean Basin could be most sensitive to climate change due to global warming among the European regions and most of the current climate projections for Central Europe predict increased temperatures that are expected to cause an increase in the frequency and duration of intense summer droughts. Owing to its sensitivity towards low water availability and longer drought periods, physiological performance, growth and competitive ability of European beech may be adversely affected by such changing environmental conditions. Most European Beech forests have been historically managed trough different silvicultural systems, which acting directly on structure affect many ecophysiological processes. Tree rings are uniquely widespread relative to all comparable natural archives of climate signals and beech has been concerned extensively in tree ring studies, taking advantage of its widespread distribution, sensitivity to climate and longevity. Air (CO2) and water absorbed by a tree are subtly modified by physiological processes and in response to the varying environment in which the tree lives, and these small changes affect isotopic ratios of elements into the uptaken molecules (CO2, H2O, nutrients). In this context the objectives were to: (1) assess the relationship of climatic parameters, growth and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C), (2) evaluate the effect of different types of forest management on tree physiology and growth, (3) assess the response to recent atmopsheric CO2 concentration increment of trees growing in different sites. Hence, we selected four beech forests along a latitudinal gradient: central and southern Apennines (Pian di Limina, CAL1 and Collelongo ABR1, Italy), pre-Alps (Pian del Cansiglio VEN1, Italy), and middle European lowlands (Zoolithenhöhle ZOO, Germany). At each site, co-dominant trees were sampled to build tree ring site chronology and five trees were selected to develop the site Δ13C chronology. At all sites, our results suggested a negative effect of the temperature of the previous summer on the growth of the current year. This demonstrates that reserves are mobilized at bud break to sustain spring growth and that a severe drought period affecting reserve accumulation and partitioning may also influence phenology and spring growth rate in the subsequent year. The effect of summer temperatures was significant in the Apennine sites, but in recent times a similar effect appeared also in the North sites of our transect. In the cold sites we observed a positive relation between spring temperature and Δ13C, suggesting an "earliness effect". The increasing temperature causing the early onset of photosynthetic activities allowed trees to make a substantial part of their growth during the favorable spring conditions (i.e. soil water availability). At the same time increasing temperature affected the summer growth. In all our sites we observed an active response of trees to the increase of atmospheric CO2 concentration, that is reflected in increasing water use efficiency (iWUE). The increase of iWUE from 1950 to 2013 was different among the sites, showing decreasing sensitivity from north to south, suggesting that trees adaptability involved both genetic and physiological mechanism. Despite higher iWUE, the expected increase in growth rates in response to rising atmospheric CO2 was observed only in the Zoolithenhöhle and Collelongo, where important silvicultural treatments occurred immediately before the study period. Probably, the increase of iWUE after silvicultural treatments is related to the increase of photosynthesis rate. In these sites we observed a negative correlation between Basal Area Increment (BAI) and Δ13C. In general the canopy is “organized” to maximize carbon fixation and thinning modified the ratio between shade and light leaves, increasing the amount of light leaves that have a higher photosynthetic rates. This produced a reduction of internal CO2 concentration (Ci) in the canopy and a decrease of Ci/Ca producing an enrichment in 13C (less negative δ13C and lower Δ13C). After that canopy closed the gaps, the ratio between shade and light leaves changed again but this time with an increasing fraction of shade leaves, with an overall lower photosynthesis rate, that caused an increment of Ci, so our results suggested a reduction of growth related to an overall lower photosynthesis rate. In conclusion, we observed that climate is changing (i.e. increase of temperature, increase of atmospheric CO2, changes in precipitation regimes) causing consequent effects on forest growth and tree physiology. Hence, a sustainable and adaptive forest management can have a central role in climate change mitigation and adaptation through preserving and enhancing forest carbon uptake. ; Il faggio (Fagus sylvatica L.) rappresenta una delle più importanti specie arboree forestali europee, quindi possibile avversità che influenzano la sua produttività e la sua fisiologia possono avere forti impatti ecologici ed economici. L'aumento della concentrazione di CO2 atmosferica, temperature più elevate e variazioni delle precipitazioni possono avere effetti significativi sulla lunghezza del periodo vegetativo,sulla crescita,sulla salute dei singoli alberi e sulla distribuzione della specie, così come sugli ecosistemi forestali, quindi sui beni e servizi forniti dalle foreste. Nel XXI secolo, a causa del riscaldamento globale, il bacino del Mediterraneo potrebbe essere tra le più sensibili regioni Europee e la maggior parte delle proiezioni climatiche per l'Europa Centrale -prevedrebbe un aumento delle temperature con un conseguente aumento della frequenza e la durata di intense siccità estive. Vista la sensibilità alla bassa disponibilità idrica e ai lunghi periodi di siccità, le prestazioni fisiologiche, la crescita e la capacità competitiva del faggio possono essere influenzate negativamente da tali condizioni ambientali mutevoli. La maggior parte delle faggete europee sono storicamente gestite seguendo diversi sistemi selvicolturali, che agendo sulla direttamente sulla struttura forestale influenzano molti processi ecofisiologici. Gli anelli degli alberi rappresentano gli archivi naturali più efficienti nel registrare i segnali climatici ed il faggio è stato ampiamente utilizzato in studi dendrocronologici per la sua ampia distribuzione geografica, la sensibilità al clima e la longevità. La CO2 e l'acqua assorbita da un albero sono modificate da processi fisiologici e in risposta alle variazioni dell'ambiente in cui l'albero vive, questi cambiamenti influenzano il rapporto isotopico degli elementi assorbiti (C, H and O) e sono alla base della teoria isotopica applicata agli anelli legnosi. In questo contesto, gli obiettivi erano: (1) valutare l'effetto dei parametri climatici sulla crescita e la fisiologia del faggio, (2) valutare l'effetto di diversi tipi di gestione forestale sulla fisiologia e la crescita, (3) valutare la risposta al recente incremento della concentrazione di CO2 atmosferica di alberi che cresciuti in luoghi diversi. Quindi, abbiamo selezionato quattro faggete lungo un gradiente latitudinale: Appennino centrale e meridionale (Pian di Limina, CAL1 e Collelongo ABR1, Italia), pre-Alpi (Pian del Cansiglio VEN1, Italia), e pianure dell'Europa centrale (Zoolithenhöhle ZOO, Germania ). In ogni sito,sono stati campionati alberi co-dominanti per costruire cronologie di crescita e cinque alberi per sviluppare cronologie degli isotopi stabili del carbonio. In tutti i siti, i nostri risultati suggeriscono un effetto negativo della temperatura dell'estate precedente sulla crescita dell'anno in corso. Questo ha dimostrato che le riserve sono mobilitate all'inizio della stagione vegetativa per sostenere la crescita iniziale e che un periodo di grave siccità che colpisce l'accumulo di riserve e il partizionamento può anche influenzare la fenologia e il tasso di crescita per l'anno successivo. L'effetto negativo delle temperature estive era significativo nei siti appenninici, ma in tempi recenti (1975-2013) un effetto simile è apparso anche nei siti più nord del nostro transetti. Nei siti freddi abbiamo osservato una relazione positiva tra la temperatura primaverile e Δ13C, suggerendo un "effetto precocità". L'aumento di temperatura causa un anticipo dell'inizio dell' attività fotosintetica permettendo agli alberi di fare una parte sostanziale della loro crescita durante le condizioni favorevoli della primavera (ad esempio più disponibilità idrica nel suolo). Allo stesso tempo l'aumento di temperatura influisce sulla crescita estiva. In tutti i nostri siti abbiamo osservato una risposta attiva degli alberi all'aumento della concentrazione di CO2 atmosferica, che si riflette nella crescente efficienza d'uso idrico (iWUE). L'incremento di iWUE è stato diverso tra i siti, mostrando una diminuzione della sensitività da nord a sud, il che suggerisce che nell' adattabilità delle piante ai cambiamenti climatici sono coinvolti sia meccanismi fisiologici che genetici. Nonostante l'incremento di iWUE, il previsto aumento dei tassi di crescita in risposta ad aumento di CO2 atmosferica è stata osservata solo nel Zoolithenhöhle e Collelongo, dove importanti trattamenti selvicolturali si sono effettuati immediatamente prima del periodo di studio. Probabilmente, l'aumento di iWUE dopo trattamenti selvicolturali è legato all'aumento del tasso di fotosintesi. In questi siti abbiamo osservato una correlazione negativa tra l'Incremento di Area Basimetrica (BAI) e Δ13C. In generale, le chiome sono "organizzate" per massimizzare la fissazione del carbonio ed un diradamento modifica il rapporto tra foglie di ombra e di luce, aumentando la quantità delle ultime che hanno un tasso fotosintetico più elevato. Questo ha prodotto una riduzione della concentrazione interna CO2 (Ci) nella canopy e una diminuzione di Ci / Ca produce un arricchimento di 13C (δ13C meno negativo ed Δ13C più basso). Dopo che chiome chiudono i gap, il rapporto tra foglie di luce e di ombra cambia nuovamente, ma questa volta con una componente crescente di foglie d'ombra, che un tasso di fotosintesi complessivo inferiore, che causa un incremento di Ci, così i nostri risultati indicano una riduzione della crescita correlati ad un tasso di fotosintesi complessivo inferiore. In conclusione, abbiamo osservato che il clima sta cambiando (cioè aumento della temperatura, aumento di CO2 atmosferica, cambiamenti nei regimi delle precipitazioni) e di conseguenza anche i suoi effetti sulla crescita delle foreste e la fisiologia delle piante. Quindi una gestione sostenibile e adattativa delle foreste può avere un ruolo centrale nella mitigazione e nell'adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici attraverso il mantenimento e il miglioramento della capacità di assorbimento di carbonio delle foreste.

Recent extreme weather events have resulted in an ongoing discussion on the issues of land use and compensation payments within Austrian agriculture. Building on a functional evaluation system for agricultural lands as developed within the Interreg IIIB project “ILUP”, the national project “Agriculture and Flooding” has as its goal to classify the flood-protection contribution and flood sensitivity of agricultural lands. This, in turn, enables the recommendation of targeted measures for potentially improving flood situations, as well as an estimate of their implementation costs. In addition to the digital soil map, other fundamental sources used for the project are the digital flood risk map, IACS land-use data and works by the Institute for Land and Water Management Research. Reference values and marginal returns sourced from the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics also flow into the cost estimates for the recommended combination. The results will contribute to an understanding of the multifunctionality of agricultural lands and to the setting of priorities on a regional scale regarding packaged flood-prevention and damage-minimization. However, the results at hand can only serve as one step toward regional flood protection projects, whose development will require the cooperation of all interest groups.

Emissions trading is a “cap and trade” regulation aimed at reducing the cost of meeting environmental targets. This paper studies how this regulation interacts with energy and competition policies. Two vertically related and imperfectly competitive markets are investigated: 1) the electricity market (output market); 2) the market for natural gas (input market). The effect of energy policy is simulated by assuming that the supporting scheme is able to improve the competitiveness of the low carbon technologies which are able, at the same time, to increase security of supply. The effect of the competition policy is accounted for by assuming that firms try to meet a profit target rather than to maximize profits, because of the regulatory pressure exerted by the competition and sector-specific authorities. By using the dominant firm model (in both markets) and the auction approach (in the output market), the paper highlights a trade-off between these policies. Without regulatory pressure, the result is ambiguous. Together, environmental and energy policies can lead to an increase in market power and its effects, but this in turn not necessarily amplifies their performances. However the worst case, the absolute increase in pollution in the short-run, is excluded. With regulatory pressure, the environmental and energy policies may imply a decrease in market power and this in turn can lessen their performance. In addition, this time the absolute increase in pollution in the short-run is not only possible but even likely. However this unfavourable effect would happen only if the pollution price is sufficiently low, that is if the environmental policy is rather modest. From the policy implications point of view, the analysis suggests what follows. If the models used to estimate performances and costs of environmental and energy policies ignore the full role of imperfect competition (the impact on prices combined with the strategic use of power capacity), this may induce incorrect estimations of the cost of the public action or may lead to incorrect policy calibrations, depending on how the policy targets are set. Finally, although the results are based on a series of simple assumptions about the operation and the structure of energy markets, they seem to be enough robust. Nevertheless the paper suggests caution in extending to other market structures the outcome of the dominant firm model.