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  • SPRING 2025

Firenze Fiera’s third sustainability report highlights the best practices in terms of environmental and social sustainability

Third sustainability report highlights the best practices in terms of environmental and social sustainability undertaken by the congress and exhibition centre located in the heart of Florence.

Lorenzo Becattini, president of Firenze Fiera, confirms the acceleration of trade fair and conference activities, with the first half of 2024 seeing Firenze Fiera perform as one of the leading players in the major events’ industry. 

“Thanks to acquiring the ISO 20121 certification (Sustainable Management System for events) in December 2023, the company is among the first Italian exhibition districts to boast this important recognition of ‘good management’ of events, also involving customers in responsibly managing the social, economic and environmental impacts generated by their events.”

Initiatives include #WeRecycle, a waste management programme with 74% separate waste collection, evidence of Firenze Fiera’s sustainable approach in the provision of its services, placing waste prevention at the centre of its strategies to reduce environmental impact. In keeping with this commitment, the Food for Good project sees the donation of excess food, collaborating with Banco Alimentare and Equoevento to recover excess food and donate it to those in need. The project has been recognized as a best practice in the EU for its effectiveness in combatting food losses and waste, recovering and allocating more than 13,000 portions of food in 2023. Renewable energy is used to power the facilities, in collaboration with Enel. Renovations are also carried out with eco-sustainable practices, such as that at Palazzo degli Affari, where 46% of energy is produced from renewable sources.

In terms of mobility, concrete solutions are offered to reduce the use of private vehicles and related emissions, with convenient pedestrian accessibility to the trade fair and congress centre allowing guests to reach events through public transport (easily accessible by tram), bicycles (taking advantage of rentals or bike sharing services) and walking, enjoying the city along the way. Firenze Fiera aims to make its spaces completely accessible, with dedicated entrances and parking, as well as tactile signage and optimized ramps. In addition, a digital accessibility project eliminates barriers on the web portal with tactile mapping in the main buildings.

Since March 2017, Firenze Fiera has been certified ISO 45001 (Health and Safety Management at Work) and since January 2019 it has added the ISO 14001 certification (Environmental Management System) which works towards fulfilling environmental policies and respecting pollution limits as well as dedication towards constantly improving performance.

The events organized generate an economic impact of approximately 21 million euro, an increase of 49% compared to 2022, with over 330,000 visitors per year and a significant increase in hotel bookings. Firenze Fiera is committed to becoming a model of excellence in the sustainable management of trade fair events, placing the concept of shared value at the center of its activities. This strategic approach aims not only to generate economic benefits for the organization, but also to create positive impacts for the entire Florentine community and the environment. Through collaborations with local authorities, social initiatives and inclusion projects, the company contributes to the social and cultural well-being of the city, strengthening the bond between the trade fair world and the local socioeconomic fabric.

Firenze Fiera in numbers
3 locations: Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo dei Congressi, Palazzo degli Affari
100,000 mq total
300,000 visitors per year
21 million euro generated in 2023
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