italy is gearing up to face environmental challenges. "Environmental issues would be incorporated in all aspects of policymaking,' said Willer Bordon, the country's environment minister. Emphasising on global warming, Bordon said that in 1998, around 35,000 Italians died as a result of infectious diseases linked to global warming. He said that an ecotax would be introduced and the ministry would involve the general public in its decision-making process. Bordon stated that by 2002 all energy companies must generate two per cent of their power from renewable sources. The emphasis is on wind and solar energy. Italy also plans to double its renewable energy production by 2010 making it six per cent of the total power used.