The research deals with a traditional manufacturing textile district in Biella, in the alpine and pre-alpine piedmontese region. Different aspects such as the geo-economic analysis, the ecological balance-sheet of the territory and the local environmental policies are taken in consideration. The methodology used for the analysis of an industrial local system case study is very interesting and it is based on the investigation of the environmental impact of the textile industry and on the analysis of the behaviour of the local system in the challenge of preserving nature. The methodology can be transferred to other local systems.