The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics face a critical environmental paradox, as a new report reveals that high-emission corporate sponsorships could generate 1.3 million metric tons of CO2, effectively melting the very snow and ice required for the competition. The study, released by the New Weather Institute in collaboration with Scientists for Global Responsibility and Champions for Earth, asserts that the promotional reach of major sponsors—Italian energy giant Eni, automaker Stellantis, and ITA Airways—creates a carbon footprint 40 percent larger than the Games’ direct operations.
The Hidden Carbon Cost of Olympic Partnerships
While the direct footprint of the 2026 Games is estimated at 930,000 metric tons, the report argues that “high carbon” sponsors significantly amplify this impact. By promoting fossil fuels, traditional combustion vehicles, and air travel, these corporations drive increased sales of climate-damaging services. Researchers estimate that Eni accounts for over half of the emissions linked to the top three sponsors, followed by Stellantis and ITA Airways. This surge in business activity translates into an additional loss of 3.2 square kilometers of snowpack and more than 20 million metric tons of glacial ice, compounding the damage already caused by the event’s logistics.
Corporate Rebuttals and Sustainability Claims
The findings have sparked immediate pushback from the involved corporations. An Eni representative labeled the report’s estimates “biased,” stating that 90 percent of the fuels supplied for the Games originate from renewable raw materials. The company maintains that its involvement focuses on providing energy services rather than generating new climate-altering activities. Similarly, ITA Airways emphasized that sustainability serves as a cornerstone of its strategy, highlighting its modernized, fuel-efficient fleet and future plans for sustainable aviation fuels. In contrast, the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation declined to comment on the environmental findings, while Stellantis offered no response to inquiries regarding its Olympic sustainability initiatives.
A Fragile Future for Winter Sports Venues
The report underscores a broader existential threat to winter athletics. Data from a 2024 International Olympic Committee (IOC) study indicates that if global emissions remain at current levels, only 52 of the 93 world-class locations capable of hosting the Winter Olympics will remain “climate-reliable” by the 2050s. That number plummets to 46 by the 2080s. Stuart Parkinson, director of Scientists for Global Responsibility, noted that while the loss of snow and glacial melt is evident to any mountain visitor, winter sports can transition into a solution by distancing themselves from “dirty” sponsorship models.
Infrastructure Reuse as a Model for Success
Despite the sponsorship controversy, the 2026 edition demonstrates significant progress in logistical sustainability. By prioritizing existing infrastructure, organizers built only two new permanent venues—a sharp decline from the six built for PyeongChang 2018 and the 14 constructed for Sochi 2014. Without the projected emissions from high-carbon sponsors, the Milano Cortina Games would rank among the most sustainable in modern history, potentially reducing total emissions by 22 percent compared to the 2018 Games. Experts argue that replacing these partners with low-carbon alternatives would preserve approximately 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent without compromising the event’s financial viability.
