Edo Ronchi, born in Treviglio in 1950 and based in Rome since 1978, is an Italian sociologist, environmentalist, and President of the Foundation for Sustainable Development since 2008. His work focuses on advancing sustainability through environmental protection, innovation, and the active involvement of businesses in the ecological transition.

As Italy’s Minister for the Environment from 1996 to 2000, he led a major season of environmental reform, including the “Ronchi Decree” on waste management, as well as legislation on water protection, air quality, and hydrogeological risk prevention. In 1998, he signed the Kyoto Protocol on behalf of Italy and contributed to European negotiations on climate policy, emissions reduction, waste management, and biodiversity protection.
He served for many years in both the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Senate and was among the leading figures of Italy’s environmental political movement, contributing to the founding of the Federation of the Greens. From 2013 to 2014, he was Deputy Commissioner for the environmental remediation of the Ilva steel plant in Taranto.

Ronchi has also worked as a university lecturer and researcher in environmental planning, environmental law, and sustainable development. Author of numerous publications, he received the 2020 European Sustainability Award from the Hans Carl von Carlowitz Foundation for his lifelong commitment to environmental justice and climate action.