CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Organizers of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games are relying on the purchase of renewable energy certificates to fulfill a pledge that the event will be powered by virtually 100% clean electricity, a strategy that has drawn both praise and scrutiny from energy experts.
Italy’s largest electricity company, Enel, has guaranteed the supply of entirely certified renewable electricity for all event venues. The organizing committee has stated that reducing energy employ is a key area for minimizing the environmental impact of the Games, as major events are often significant contributors to planet-warming emissions.
To ensure the 100% renewable energy target is met, Enel has been purchasing “guarantee of origin” (GO) certificates. These certificates, established in Europe in 2001, represent proof that one megawatt hour of electricity was produced from a certified renewable source. The certificates are traded on the power market, allowing companies to demonstrate their commitment to green energy.
Enel will supply 85 gigawatt-hours of power for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, covering the entire energy demand through the purchase of these GO certificates. In instances where temporary power generation is necessary, the organizing committee has committed to using hydrotreated vegetable oil instead of traditional diesel fuels, according to a sustainability report released in September.
“This is also an opportunity to contribute to a broader shift — showing athletes, spectators and future host cities that cleaner energy solutions are increasingly viable for events of this scale,” the organizing committee said in a statement. “We hope the steps taken for these Games can support ongoing progress across major events.”
While GO certificates are widely seen as a tool to promote the development of renewable energy sources, some experts question their effectiveness in driving actual change. Matteo Villa, who leads the data lab at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, argued that the system is more effective as a public relations tool than as a catalyst for increased renewable energy production within Italy itself.
“It is a great way to promote your event,” Villa said, “but it’s not making Italy cleaner or more renewable.” He emphasized that the true sustainability of the Games is dependent on the overall energy landscape of Italy, not simply the energy used directly by the event.
Enel maintains that it is actively increasing its production of clean electricity in Italy. According to preliminary full-year operational data, nearly three-quarters of the electricity Enel produced in Italy in 2025 was carbon-free. Hydropower accounted for approximately 50% of this, followed by geothermal at 17%, and wind, solar, and other renewables at less than 10%. The remaining portion was primarily generated by gas-fired power plants.
However, Italy’s national grid remains significantly reliant on fossil fuels, according to data from the International Energy Agency. Despite this, Enel has invested in infrastructure upgrades to support the Games, including the construction of new primary substations in Livigno and Arabba, and improvements to distribution networks in Livigno, Bormio, and Cortina, which will benefit local communities after the Games conclude.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also highlighted the importance of sustainable practices. Julie Duffus, the IOC’s head of sustainability, stated that the organization continually strives to innovate in sustainability, reduce the overall impact, and minimize the carbon footprint of each Games. She pointed to the use of clean power, infrastructure upgrades, and the prioritization of existing or temporary venues as key elements of this approach.
Matteo Di Castelnuovo, a professor of energy economics at the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, believes the Olympics will continue to prioritize clean energy but emphasized that the greater challenge lies in reducing emissions outside of direct control, particularly those related to transportation. The organizing committee estimates that the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the Games are equivalent to those produced by 4 million gasoline-fueled cars driving from Paris to Rome, with the largest share stemming from accommodations and spectator travel, including air travel.
Karl Stoss, who chairs the Games’ Future Host Commission, has suggested that future Games may demand to consider reducing the number of sports, athletes, and spectators to further minimize their environmental impact. Concerns about the accelerating melt of glaciers due to climate change have also been voiced by athletes, including Team USA members Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin.
