"National Research Council (CNR) is the largest public research institution in Italy, the only one under the Research Ministry performing multidisciplinary activities.

Founded as legal person on 18 November 1923, CNR's mission is to perform research in its own Institutes, to promote innovation and competitiveness of the national industrial system, to promote the internationalization of the national research system, to provide technologies and solutions to emerging public and private needs, to advice Government and other public bodies, and to contribute to the qualification of human resources.

In the CNR's research world, the main resource is the available knowledge which means people, with their skills, commitment and ideas. This capital comprises more than 8.000 employees, of whom more than half are researchers and technologists. Some 4.000 young researchers are engaged in postgraduate studies and research training at CNR within the organization’s top-priority areas of interest. A significant contribution also comes from research associates: researchers, from Universities or private firms, who take part in CNR's research activities.

A major CNR department among other, is the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies develops in harmony with the international framework, supporting the realization of projects mainly in the following areas:
a) assessment and evolution of the state of environmental systems, with observations in the Mediterranean area and in extreme environments (eg polar and high altitude);
b) sea and marine resources, sustainability of fishing, biodiversity, integrated marine observations, maritime space planning;
c) understanding of natural processes and assessing the impact of climate change on the quality and functioning of environmental systems;
d) study of natural, geophysical and meteorological risks, evaluation of their interactions, and their impacts on humans and the environment;
e) development of tools and methods for soil monitoring and earth observation, both for the understanding of environmental processes and for monitoring areas affected by natural or anthropogenic risks;
f) development of soil and water remediation technologies and waste treatment for reuse;
g) assessment, protection and exploitation of water resources;
h) assessment methods and technologies for exploiting geothermal resources;
i) environment and health."