The world of events and sports, like any human activity, generates an impact and has the opportunity to contribute to solving the challenges of the 21st century by using sport as a positive force.
To actively participate in this change, RCS Sports & Events has, since 2023, embarked on a journey with NATIVA – Regenerative Design Company, which supports hundreds of organizations in a radical evolution towards regenerative economic models. Together, we map the environmental, social, and economic impacts of two iconic events: the Milano Marathon and the Giro d’Italia. The data collected and the results achieved are published annually in the Legacy Reports for these two events.
The Project
R-Intents involves the deep engagement of everyone who organizes and experiences these events each year: from RCS organizers and staff to suppliers and partners, from local communities to athletes, and finally to the vast audience of attendees and spectators. The goal is not only to analyze the main impacts derived from the two events but also to foster increasingly profound dialogue and collaboration with our entire ecosystem, with the aim of identifying shared solutions to guide the evolution of event planning towards a more regenerative paradigm.
The end goal is ambitious, but we have outlined the path for future evolution together with the entire ecosystem and are ready to follow it step by step.
Our commitment for the Giro d'Italia
The 360-degree analysis conducted in 2024 on the impacts of the Giro d’Italia, along with RCS Sports & Events’ commitments to adopting more sustainable practices and improving impacts, is detailed in our second Legacy Report. Data collected across over 150 parameters in five sustainability areas – Circularity, Natural Capital, Climate Resilience, Education and Engagement, and Well-being: Happiness and Health – have shaped the event’s regenerative profile.
Key outcomes include:
- 100% of catering packaging is plastic-free (made from paper or compostable materials), excluding items provided by sponsors and partners.
- 84% of waste produced and collected during the Giro was sorted and sent for recycling.
- Monitoring the happiness and satisfaction levels of the audience and RCS staff through anonymous surveys aimed at planning improvement actions.
This year, we went a step further by implementing the improvement actions outlined in the Legacy Report to achieve the Giro d’Italia’s target profile.
To achieve this goal, we have focused our efforts this year on several areas:
POSITIVE IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES
- Monitoring the economic impact on the territories crossed by the Giro.
- Gathering input from workers, fans, and riders at Giro-E to improve the event’s sustainability.
POSITIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE
- 100% training of workers and collaborators on the regenerative ambition.
- Establishing and disseminating a formalized regenerative ambition.
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
- Introducing a preliminary site analysis system to verify the presence of environmentally sensitive areas.
- Monitoring materials for gadgets/merchandising and sponsor/partner packaging.
