A climate-friendly Festival of economics

Protecting and respecting our ecosystem means adopting practices which are not only sustainable, but also increasingly have economic repercussions: indeed sustainability makes economic sense! Saving energy, for example, means saving natural but also financial resources.

The climate changes underway at the moment, analysed and recognised by the main international research bodies, have strong repercussions on the productive and economic system, as well as on the environment. Hence once again this year the Festival is responding to the appeal for environmental sustainability by becoming “climate-friendly”.

Analysis of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Festivals highlighted the main sources of CO2 emissions. On the basis of this research some good practice has been identified which will allow the 2011 Festival of Economics and all its participants to be fully entitled to call themselves "friends of the climate"

The energy used for the Festival of Economics, supplied by Trenta Spa (Gruppo Dolomiti Energia), is produced from renewable sources and certified to be 100% clean.

This programme provides instructions for moving around using public transport, on foot or by bicycle.

Car Sharing Trentino also offers visitors to the Festival arriving in Trento using public transport the chance to use one of 11 cars available. The service is available to guests staying at one of hotels or guest houses involved in the scheme, or to users of another Italian car sharing service. At the Festival site information is also available about how to get to the Festival in a sustainable manner.

Info: www.carsharing.tn.it – Tel. 0461 433124 – during the Festival in the area dedicated to the alternative economy, in Piazza Fiera.

At the bike stop in Piazza Fiera bicycles are available free of charge to those attending the Festival, allowing them to move around the city.

Paper has been reduced to a minimum by encouraging the use of USB media and material present on the web.

All our printed material (including this programme) is certified by FSC - Forest Stewardship Council. This guarantees that the paper contains wood coming from forests managed correctly and responsibly according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.
The Festival gadgets (such as bags, hats and T-shirts) have been produced using fair trade criteria designed to combat exploitation and poverty. Furthermore the T-shirts with the squirrel have been personalised using natural dyes.
The map at the end of the programme shows all the drinking fountains in Trento: the city's water is fresh and of excellent quality.
The Festival administration makes use only of glass tableware and wholesome local products; thus traffic pollution is avoided or reduced to a minimum.
A differentiated waste collection service has been organised in the squares used for the Festival of Economics.