The paper describes and comments the Italian policies and measures planned to implement the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, with the aim of contributing to the overall reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in industrialised countries over the next 10-15 years. The first part of the paper describes the main features and characteristics of the Kyoto Protocol to achieve the ultimate aim of the reduction of anthropogenic GHG emissions to a level which would prevent dangerous interference with the climatic system. The paper goes on to identify and discuss the major problems linked with the signature and ratification process as well as with the effective implementation of the Kyoto Protocol around the world. In the second part of the paper, the focus shifts to Italy, and a description and analysis of the Italian policies and measures planned before and after the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol is provided. The attention is drawn to the 1998 National Plan for the reduction of GHG emissions. In the final paragraph of the paper, Italy’s pro-active approach in planning the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is placed in a Mediterranean context to see which role the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol could play in the light of the promotion of sustainable development in the Mediterranean area as a whole.