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 21.02.2024

MWC and the environmental footprint of mass events

In a few days Barcelona opens its doors to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, where more than 95,000 people are expected to meet to share news and trends in the telecommunications and connectivity industry.

Undoubtedly, this congress generates a high positive economic impact for the city (in 2023 it was estimated at 461 million euros), but, like all mass events, it also generates a strong environmental impact due to the considerable amount of travel, waste generated, and water and energy consumed. The gathering of almost 100,000 people has direct effects on mobility, food, environmental protection, air emissions and city life in general.

The MWC organisers have been working for several years to advance sustainable practices and have also announced that for the MWC 2024 they are making an extra effort to inform visitors of the drought emergency in the Catalan territory. The organisation is carrying out actions to eliminate ornamental fountains, to facilitate the separation of waste, not to destroy food leftovers and to donate them various organisations that prepare solidarity meals, and in general, to make visitors aware of the ecological footprint that is inevitably produced.

The economic benefits of congresses and music festivals are evident; however, progress must be made in awareness and organisational mechanisms to minimise the negative impacts on the environment of the territory hosting the event. Once again, we must search for the difficult balance between business and environmental harmony.