The Generational Impact Assessment

Translated by Martina Cintioli

On 29 October, the Italian Chamber of Deputies gave final approval to the legislation introducing the Generational Impact Assessment (GIA) for new laws. This is not merely a bureaucratic act, but a profound moral change and a tool capable of significantly transforming the legislative process. 

What does the law entail?

It is a historic proposal by ASviS (Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development), dating back to 2016, linked to the 2022 amendment of article 9 of the Italian Constitution, also promoted by the Alliance, which enshrines the protection of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems “also in the interest of future generations”. The Generational Impact Assessment (GIA) evaluates current decisions based on their potential effects on future generations, aiming to promote public policies that are both more sustainable and fairer, considering the needs and aspirations of young people. 

Under this law, all government acts, except decree-laws, must be accompanied by a preliminary analysis of their potential environmental and social effects that could affect young people and future generations. The dual goal is to foster intergenerational equity and ensure legislation remains sustainable over time. This new tool will be coordinated by the Observatory on Generational Impact set up within the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which will provide useful guidance to achieve these objectives.

The bill was approved by the Senate on 9 May and with the recent vote in the Chamber of Deputies, it is now final, making the GIA a systematic obligation. 

An example

It is important to note that, since it has only just been approved, the implementing decrees that would detail the procedures are not yet in place. ASviS imagines it like this: 

“Suppose a new pension law is being drafted. The GIA would ask questions such as, “Does this reform reduce the current burden, but will it weigh on future generations?”. 

If the answer is yes, the law is not fair across generations. In this case, it is still unclear whether this assessment is binding or simply advisory, and whether any unfairness would lead to changes in the law to keep current and future generations on the same level.

Conclusion

This law marks a huge cultural and moral change, addressing the growing gap between adults and young people, whose voice has lost its historic importance. Laws cannot focus only on the next term or election; they must look ahead to the next fifty years, to future generations who gradually losing hope in a country that no longer considers their well-being as a priority.

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