Is Sanremo Sustainable? The Future of Italy’s Biggest Music Festival
Every February, the Ligurian city of Sanremo transforms into the epicenter of Italian music and media attention. But alongside the glitter, record viewership, and artistic debates, a pressing question arises: how sustainable is the Sanremo Festival?
Progress Made: Less Plastic, More Waste Awareness
Visible initiatives include the gradual reduction of single-use plastics in official festival areas. Glass bottles and reusable water bottles have partially replaced disposable containers behind the scenes and in press zones. The municipality of Sanremo has also strengthened waste collection during festival week, with temporary recycling points and awareness campaigns for residents and tourists. These are crucial signals, considering the massive influx of people the event generates.
Increased attention to urban mobility is also positive, with more shuttle services, traffic restrictions in central areas, and encouragement of public transport. Still, these measures are still far from a large-scale sustainable mobility strategy.
The Energy Challenge: The Footprint of a Grand Spectacle
The core problem remains energy consumption. A televised event of this scale – with monumental sets, intensive lighting, and live production – requires significant energy. RAI has stated it is working towards more efficient productions and utilizing some renewable energy sources. However, detailed public data on the festival’s overall carbon footprint remains limited. Transparency on this front would be a decisive step for an event aiming to be a national showcase.
Another critical element is the induced impact: full hotels, additional flights and trains, logistics for artists and crews. A significant portion of emissions are concentrated here, often difficult to monitor but far from negligible.
Green Communication: Balancing Awareness and Greenwashing Risk
The environmental theme has appeared on the Ariston stage through monologues, guests, and social media campaigns. The festival’s visibility provides a powerful platform for spreading sustainability messages. However, there’s a risk of greenwashing – when environmental messaging outpaces concrete transformations. Avoiding this requires measurable objectives, public reports, and a structured environmental strategy beyond symbolic initiatives.
Some international best practices – such as event sustainability certification or official emissions calculations – could be the next evolutionary step for Sanremo.
Impact on the City: Local Economy vs. Environmental Pressure
The festival is a huge economic resource for Sanremo: full hotels, busy restaurants, and international visibility. However, the local environmental impact is not insignificant. During festival week, there is an increase in urban waste production, vehicle traffic, water and energy consumption, and pressure on city infrastructure.
The challenge for the municipal administration is to transform this peak into a laboratory for urban sustainability. Some signals exist – such as plans for mobility and waste management – but a long-term integrated vision is still lacking.
What More Could Sanremo Do?
If the goal is to develop into a model of a sustainable cultural event, there’s ample room for improvement. Key actions include:
- Annual publication of the festival’s carbon footprint
- Verifiable emissions reduction targets
- Greater use of modular and reusable sets
- Strong incentives for rail travel for the public and staff
- Independent environmental certifications
It’s not just about reputation: music and television events across Europe are accelerating on these fronts, and Sanremo risks falling behind rather than leading.
FAQ
Q: Is the Sanremo Festival currently sustainable?
A: Even as progress has been made in areas like plastic reduction and waste management, the festival still faces significant challenges regarding energy consumption and overall carbon footprint.
Q: What is greenwashing?
A: Greenwashing is when a company or event promotes an environmentally responsible image without making substantial changes to its practices.
Q: What can Sanremo do to improve its sustainability?
A: Publishing a carbon footprint, setting emissions reduction targets, and using reusable sets are key steps.
Did you know? The Sanremo Music Festival is the longest-running song contest in Italy, dating back to 1951.
Pro Tip: Appear for events with independent sustainability certifications to ensure genuine environmental commitment.
What steps do you think Sanremo should take to become a truly sustainable event? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
