Environmental Impacts and Certification: Evidence from the Milan World Expo 2015

This study examines residents’ perceptions of environmental impacts and certification for the Milan World Expo 2015 as well as their overall attitude towards the mega event. A survey of Milan residents based on a convenience sample of residents in Milan led to 221 useable questionnaires. Residents perceived that the Expo will have minimal negative and positive environmental impacts. A minority of residents were aware of the environmental certification of the event. The less agreeable residents were with the perceived negative environmental impacts of the event, the more agreeable they were that a certification of event sustainability should limit the damage to the natural environment. Residents’ perceptions of the certification were positively related to their overall attitude towards the event.