Italy makes protecting environment part of Constitution

FILE PHOTO: The Italian flag in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2016. REUTES/ Stefano Rellandini

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian parliament approved a law on Tuesday making protection of the environment part of the Constitution in a vote politicians and activists hailed as significant for the country's future.

The law says the state must safeguard the environment, biodiversity and the ecosystem "in the interest too of future generations". It said any private economic initiative must not damage health or the environment.