Italy's New Environmental Standards for Cultural Events

Italian Minister for Ecological Transition Roberto Cingolani has signed a reform titled 'Adoption of minimum environmental criteria for cultural events,' integrating it into the Cam (Minimum Environmental Criteria) decree. Developed with the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, the rules align with the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). The criteria require public administrations to include sustainability requirements in procurement procedures for cultural initiatives, aiming to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by promoting renewable energy, high-efficiency climate control, lighting, and audiovisual systems, as well as sustainable mobility. They also target waste prevention, circular economy models, reusable goods, reduced packaging, and food waste. The reform takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette. However, the Ministry for Ecological Transition may be restructured or renamed under the next government, casting uncertainty on implementation. The article highlights the contradiction between the art world's frequent use of 'sustainability' rhetoric and the actual environmental impact of numerous events, fairs, and festivals, which consume significant energy and resources.