Contacts
Innovation, research and impact to help businesses and policymakers build a more sustainable future

At the heart of Bocconi University there is a pulsing research center dedicated to the crucial challenge of our time: ecological transition. It is called GREEN (Geography, Resources, Environment, Energy & Networks) and is much more than just an academic laboratory. It is a meeting point between research and action, where scholars, experts and companies work side by side to find concrete solutions to increasingly urgent problems.

Formed in 2018 through the merger of two historic research centers, CERTET (Center for Regional Economics, Transport and Tourism) and IEFE (Institute for the Economics of Energy Sources), GREEN has inherited advanced expertise in economics, environmental science and public policy. Today, more than ever, its multidisciplinary approach is proving essential in addressing complex issues such as the circular economy, sustainable finance, environmental policies, energy markets, and smart cities.

In the words of Italo Colantone, professor of economic policy and director of GREEN since 2025, “The urgency of the challenges posed by climate change is clear. Our goal is to produce research that is useful for decision makers, be they business leaders or policy makers. We need solid expertise, but also the ability to bring together diverse forces to address the complexity of the green transition.”

An ecosystem of research and innovation

GREEN is not just a study center, but a true ecosystem that brings together diverse experiences and expertise to generate real impact. Several thematic observatories operate within it, true radars on emerging trends, providing data and analysis that are crucial for strategic decision makers:

  • Green Economy Observatory (GEO): monitors industry developments and the impact of environmental policies.
  • Observatory on Indoor Air Quality (OQAI): in collaboration with the University of Milan-Bicocca, studies indoor air quality.
  • Observatory on Public Procurement and Sustainability: analyzes the integration of sustainability in public procurement.
  • Renewable Gas Observatory: explores the potential of renewable gases in the energy transition.
  • Smart City Observatory: focuses on smart mobility, sustainable infrastructure and urban innovation.

Disclosure and global impact

In addition to academic research, GREEN has an equally important mission: to transfer knowledge. The center devotes much effort to disseminating the results of its research through events, conferences and collaborations with companies, institutions and NGOs. Italo Colantone is clear about this: “Promoting dialogue between academia, business, public administration and civil society is essential for the ecological transition to come about in an effective and inclusive way.”

Research