The autonomous province of Trento, with the support of Trentino Sviluppo, has embarked on a journey to become the first territory with an ESG rating in Italy. A project that will be fully operational in 2026, thanks in part to the contribution of numerous organisations committed to developing sustainable, concrete and measurable practices that benefit the entire community: from environmental protection to social issues and good governance practices.
Shared mobility to improve the quality of life in local areas
In 2024, Confindustria Trento launched a multi-year work plan dedicated to ESG values, developing increasingly comprehensive measures to support its approximately 600 member companies. “The first step was to offer companies a self-assessment tool: a sustainability check-up designed to provide a clear picture of the company's position on these issues,” explains Vice-President Marcello Lunelli, delegate for ESG and environmental transition. “About thirty companies of various sizes participated in the programme and received an overall assessment. The experience yielded concrete and immediate results: for many small and medium-sized enterprises, this certification proved useful in their relations with banks, facilitating access to subsidised credit instruments.”
Confindustria Trento is also working on a number of major themes, including the reuse of water outside industrial processes and sustainable mobility. Shared transport solutions are being studied for employees of companies in areas with the highest concentration of industry or tourism, such as Alto Garda and Val di Fiemme, with the aim of reducing traffic and emissions and improving the quality of life in these areas.
Lastly, there has been a recent decision to draft the association's first sustainability report, with data referring to 2025, to measure the value generated for member companies, the local area and the community as a whole, with the aim of strengthening ESG culture as a strategic lever and not just as a compliance exercise.
An innovative exercise at a national level, which can also serve as a stimulus for other industrial associations in Italy. Within the organisation itself, for example, the organisation promotes the well-being of its employees and work-life balance, as evidenced by a number of specific certifications related to these areas.
Support for integrating ESG criteria into business strategies
Confcommercio Trentino has also launched a strategic initiative to promote a culture of sustainability among its member companies, with a particular focus on integrating ESG criteria into corporate strategies. “Sustainability is now a fundamental value in the economic and social context. For this reason, we felt it was appropriate to offer our employees adequate training on these issues and on how to integrate ESG criteria into the business strategies of member companies,” explains director Massimo Travaglia.
The association's stated objective is clear: “We want to positively influence sustainable practices within our organisations and among our members themselves, who are the most influential stakeholders. The training courses structured by the association include modules dedicated to an introduction to sustainability and the development of concepts related to Agenda 2030.” As Travaglia further emphasises, “Promoting a corporate culture that values sustainability not only reflects an ethical commitment but also improves the company's reputation with customers and suppliers, catalysing innovation and improving business competitiveness. Furthermore, it helps to retain talent and create a more committed and responsible working environment. However, it also offers an economic advantage that allows companies to position themselves strategically within the Trentino, Italian and international markets.”
Among the practical initiatives launched by Confcommercio Trentino are activities such as the renewable energy community, which offers companies the opportunity to reduce energy costs by participating in the ecological transition, training sessions on ESG issues tailored to various categories of companies, opportunities for discussion with experts and professionals, and networking events. The association acts as a guarantor of transparency and efficiency, providing dedicated technical and administrative support. “With the right skills, businesses can implement strategies that generate positive impacts both internally and externally to Confcommercio Trentino, achieving the environmental, social and governance objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda,” concludes Travaglia.
Promoting and facilitating cultural change
Simplifying the approach to sustainability and fostering cultural change in craft businesses, often lacking sufficient resources to independently support this commitment, by responding to a need that has emerged directly from the local area: with this objective in mind, the Confartigianato Trentino craft association has devised a structured project to guide its members towards non-financial reporting.
“Many find themselves working with large companies, increasingly attentive to ESG parameters even in their choice of suppliers, or dealing with the world of credit, where the granting of loans is increasingly linked to the assessment of sustainability strategies,” says Claudio Filippi, head of the association’s research department.
Therefore, the first step is to offer concrete guidance tools: management and administrative support services designed to help companies understand where they stand in terms of sustainability criteria and to enhance practices already in place. “Many small businesses have been adopting virtuous behaviours for some time, but they struggle to bring them to the fore in a structured way and, even more so, to communicate them,” continues Filippi. “On the environmental front, for example, there are frequent investments in reducing consumption, especially of water and energy, and in switching to renewable energy sources, which need to be properly measured and valued.”
Considering the close ties that entrepreneurs establish with workers and the local community, the association pays particular attention to the social dimension. This is reflected in the signing of regional agreements, divided by category, which improve the conditions provided for in national contracts: greater flexibility in working hours, additional leave, wage supplements and measures to support return from maternity leave. In addition, there are welfare initiatives, such as a mutual aid fund for easier access to medical care and consultations, available to both owners and employees.
“To support the work-life balance, we have proposed measures to the province such as strengthening educational services and reducing costs for families: promoting female employment also means supporting the local economy and responding to the growing labour shortage,” concludes Filippi.
Projects for workers, from housing to welfare
Looking once again at social aspects, one of the critical issues for tourist destinations in Trentino is the difficulty in finding accommodation for staff due to housing pressure: the Association of Hoteliers and Tourist Businesses of the Province of Trento (ASAT Federalberghi Trentino) therefore acts as an advocate for the conversion of disused hotels into guest-houses or staff houses, complementing corporate welfare initiatives and tools for retaining seasonal workers.
To enable members to assess their social, environmental and economic footprint, the ASAT2030 platform was launched in April 2024, in line with Agenda 2030 and the provincial SproSS strategy, while in 2025 a partnership with Sparkasse was established to promote access to sustainable financing.
The results in the environmental field are positive: 86% of hoteliers and tourism businesses use renewable energy suppliers, 96% practise separate waste collection beyond the legal requirements and display appropriate signage, and 74% have eliminated single-use plastics. 73% have implemented water-saving systems, 78% have adopted solutions to reduce light pollution, but only 18% have taken measures to reduce pollutants. Meanwhile, 91% have set up charging stations for electric vehicles, although only 30% offer discounts for low-impact transport. Health and safety best practices are implemented by 69% of accommodation facilities, but only 34% offer supplementary insurance policies. 85% of establishments are accessible to people with reduced mobility, although only 14% have appointed a diversity manager.
Historically, ASAT has distinguished itself in promoting a culture of sustainable tourism through projects such as Dolomiti Walking Hotels and Cuore Rurale or initiatives related to the enhancement of museum heritage, while over time, several destinations, from Garda to Val di Fiemme, have embarked on GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification processes.
“Looking ahead, areas for improvement include sustainable mobility, communication and collaboration with suppliers: 72% do not effectively communicate their commitment to sustainability, an important aspect not only for promoting the work done but also for raising awareness among an increasing number of citizens,” comments Davide Cardella, general manager of ASAT – Federalberghi Trentino.
Cooperation as a lever for sustainability
The Trentino Federation of Cooperatives (FTC) also focuses on environmental, social and governance issues. It represents over four hundred cooperative enterprises operating in various sectors – from agriculture to credit, food distribution to social services, construction and services – and acts as a system entity to support its members in making sustainability a concrete factor for development.
On a cultural level, the FTC promotes training activities to spread skills and awareness on sustainability issues and supports cooperatives that choose to embark on voluntary reporting processes. On the social front, the Federation is committed to combating the depopulation of mountain areas by supporting “unique” village shops, creating co-working spaces and promoting forms of sustainable mobility. Increasing attention is being paid to digitalisation, with the inCooperazione platform designed to encourage intercooperation.
In the area of cooperative solidarity, the Etika agreement allows cooperative members and customers to access green energy and gas supplies at an advantageous price, while also generating resources for projects promoting the independence of people with disabilities. In the area of governance, in 2025, on the occasion of its 130th anniversary, FTC promoted a process of widespread consultation with stakeholders, gathering useful ideas to guide future strategies.
Central to this is the commitment to energy transition through support for the creation of renewable energy communities and the signing of framework agreements with Dolomiti Energia to offer cooperatives renewable energy and carbon-offset gas at advantageous conditions. Alongside its external actions, the Federation continues to strengthen its internal ESG policies, with a commitment that is also recognised by environmental (EMAS, ISO 14001) and social (UNI PdR 125 on gender equality, Great Place to Work, Family Audit) certifications.
Finally, the protocol renewed in 2025 with the autonomous province of Trento confirms the role of cooperation as a strategic partner for sustainable territorial development, based on participation, collective responsibility and roots in the community.
Cover: photo by Trentino Sviluppo