In addition to being the capital of fashion, Milan also becomes a center of sustainability in September. Green Week has been held every year since 2017, with activities scheduled for September 18th to 21st in 2025. The initiative started as a joint project between the Municipality of Milan and the European Commission to promote sustainable development and a green urban environment. The main idea is to engage citizens and stakeholders in a dialogue on sustainability and green policies.
During Milan’s Green Week, the city will host a series of workshops, conferences, exhibitions, nature walks, and performances that create opportunities for collaboration and stimulate environmental change. These events offer participants practical knowledge and new perspectives on environmental solutions, allowing them to become an active part of the green transition.
In focus
This year’s focus is on green urban planning, with a conference on the topic coming up. During the conference, opportunities for preserving urban forests and the risks to them as a result of climate change will be discussed. Another event will focus on renewable energy and ways to conserve it rather than waste it. Experts from various fields will present innovative solutions and best practices that can be applied at both the institutional and personal levels. Ways to improve public transport and encourage micro-mobility, such as bicycles and scooters, will also be discussed with the aim of reducing carbon emissions in urban areas.
The last day of the program is declared a “No Parking Day.” The goal is to turn parking spaces into places to play, read a book, or meet friends for a day. This initiative aims to show how cities can be more human and accessible when people are given priority over cars. It also raises the question of rethinking urban space and its more efficient use.
Over the years
Over the years, previous editions of the initiative have highlighted the link between citizens and institutions in their role in the ecological transformation of the city. For example, in 2023, as part of Green Week, over 3,000 volunteers participated in planting new trees, contributing to an increase in green spaces and improved air quality. In 2024, urban beekeeping and the preservation of wild, unmowed areas in parks were promoted to help insects, which play a key role in the ecosystem. These examples show that large-scale change is possible when there is cooperation and commitment from all parties.
Green Week in Milan is not just an event, but a platform for action that inspires and guides us towards a more sustainable future.
