CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have embarked on an ambitious sustainability initiative by committing to virtually 100% renewable energy usage throughout the Games. This environmental strategy represents a significant step toward reducing the carbon footprint of major international sporting events.
Organizers identified energy consumption as the most impactful area for emissions reduction at large-scale events. Italian energy giant Enel has guaranteed the supply of entirely certified renewable electricity to all Olympic venues through an innovative certificate system. The company purchased 85 gigawatt-hours of “guarantee of origin” (GO) certificates from renewable energy plants across European markets to cover the Games’ complete energy demand.
The GO certificate mechanism, established in 2001, provides a verification system where each certificate corresponds to one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from certified renewable sources. These certificates are traded on power markets and immediately canceled after use to prevent double-counting, creating a transparent system that supports renewable energy development.
While approximately 74% of Enel’s Italian electricity production in 2025 was carbon-free—primarily from hydropower (50%), geothermal (17%), and renewable sources under 10%—the national grid remains largely dependent on fossil fuels. To enhance local infrastructure, Enel constructed new primary substations in Livigno and Arabba and upgraded distribution systems in Olympic regions, creating lasting benefits for residents beyond the Games.
Despite the renewable energy commitment, experts note limitations. Matteo Villa of the Italian Institute for International Political Studies acknowledges the promotional value but questions the actual environmental impact, stating that the Games can only be as sustainable as Italy’s overall energy landscape.
The broader sustainability challenge involves addressing indirect emissions from spectator travel, athlete transportation, and accommodations, which constitute the largest share of the Olympic carbon footprint. The estimated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to four million average cars driving from Paris to Rome highlights the scale of the challenge. Professor Matteo Di Castelnuovo of SDA Bocconi School of Management emphasizes that transportation emissions represent the more complex sustainability hurdle for Olympic organizers.
As climate change accelerates glacier melt—a concern voiced by elite skiers including Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin—the International Olympic Committee considers potential future reductions in sports, athletes, and spectators to minimize environmental impact while preserving winter sports for generations to come.