La Biennale di Venezia’s commitment to carbon neutrality

La Biennale di Venezia is working concretely towards the crucial goal of fighting climate change, by promoting a more sustainable model for the design, installation and operation of all its events.

After achieving carbon neutral certification for the 78th Venice International Film Festival in 2021, in 2022 La Biennale obtained this certification for all its events held that year. This was made possible by carefully collecting the data on the causes of CO2 emissions generated by the events themselves, and on the adoption of consequent measures. The entire process for achieving carbon neutrality, conducted in compliance with the international standard PAS2060, was certified by RINA.
 

This commitment will continue in 2023, starting with the 18th International Architecture Exhibition, which will be the first major exhibition in this discipline to test in the field the process to achieve carbon neutrality, while furthermore reflecting upon the themes of decolonisation and decarbonisation.

To achieve the goal of neutralising the carbon impact of its events, La Biennale has worked in two directions: to reduce emissions under its own control, and to offset residual emissions by purchasing certified carbon credits generated by renewable energy projects in India and Colombia.

As far as reducing emissions is concerned, La Biennale has integrated the principles of environmental sustainability in every phase of the life cycles of its events, while at the same time raising awareness and involving the public and the suppliers of the goods and services required for the operation of its festivals. The main actions that were taken include:

 using energy from renewable sources;
 reducing the use of materials, and promoting recycling for their end-of-life;
 reusing the exhibition materials and equipment;
 increasing the number of vegetarian options for food service, with a preference for zero-kilometre food products;
 reducing the impact of logistics by optimizing travel routes.
 

These choices produced instant results and will be reinforced in the future to consolidate their benefits in the long term.

For all the events, the most important component of the overall carbon footprint involves the mobility of the participating public. In this sense, La Biennale will engage again in 2023 in a communication campaign to raise the awareness of the public.

Release: Ca’ Giustinian, Venice