Background The LIFE beneficiary was keen to improve environmental standards on a territorial basis throughout North eastern Italy’s San Daniele del Friuli district. EMAS II (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) options were assessed as appropriate for a multi-sectoral approach, if the relevant support structures and preparatory work could be provided to gain voluntary commitment and generate momentum from local bodies. Objectives LIFE support was awarded to help public and private bodies voluntarily adopt ISO 14001/EMAS procedures and to monitor the ensuing impacts on environmental standards. A dedicated 'Environmental improvement plan' was proposed as well as a new 'Handbook for continuous improvement'. The innovative territorial nature of the project was encouraged by Italy’s national Committee for Ecolabel and EMAS. A range of territorial bodies were to be provided with LIFE assistance in order to secure ISO 14001/EMAS registration. These included a consortium of ham producers, six municipalities and the district waste wastewater treatment agency. Results Key objectives were realised during the project, which resulted in important environmental benefits being introduced and maintained throughout the district. These reflect a wide range of different environmental standards and criteria promoted within the project’s strategic documentation (Environmental Improvement Plan and Handbook for the continuous improvement), as well as a new environmental management tool produced for private sector stakeholders, titled the Environmental Quality Chart. Quantitative results included all six district municipalities securing ISO14001 status and being presented with EMAS certifications. Similarly, the district waste wastewater treatment agency (Comunità Collinare del Friuli) succeeded in achieving ISO14001 certification. The beneficiary was keen to develop a green image for the area’s ham producers. This was attained through ISO14001 certification for five ham producers who were also awarded with EMAS certifications. Additional private sector progress was made with the consortium of ham producers (Consorzio del Prosciutto) receiving ISO14001 certification. The new Environmental Quality Chart standards were adopted by 11 firms and all six municipalities. Furthermore, the beneficiary was presented with a certificate by the Italian Ecolabel and EMAS Committee as an “institution promoting homogeneous productive areas”. Positive outcomes anticipated from the new environmental quality standards include: water consumption reduced by recovering at least 5% of wastewater from ham production processes; upgrading existing purification plants and construction of new salt recover facilities for ham producers will reduce water pollution risks; municipalities will improve their performance in Green Public Procurement; waste management will be improved by all participating organisations; targets to reduce district energy consumption (by at least 2% before 2010 and 3% by 2012); new tools to tackle noise production; and municipalities have joined forces to work collectively on strategic spatial planning issues such as transport logistics and telecommunications. Longer term sustainability benefits are expected as these new developments become implemented. The Centre for Studies and Services, established by the project, will continue promoting various environmental standards, including the new Environmental Quality Chart, to local private and public sectors. New networking projects are also being considered by the beneficiary in order to build on the LIFE project results by extending voluntary adoption of environmental standards throughout the territory and explore opportunities from EU international cooperation programmes.