- Renewed partnership to support climate, biodiversity and sustainability initiatives as part of FAI's broader programme, expected to invest more than €1 million in 2026.
- Strong focus on projects targeting climate change mitigation, water footprint reduction, and biodiversity protection, and strengthening Italy's cultural and historical heritage.
UniCredit has renewed its support for Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano ETS (FAI), a non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Italy's cultural, historical, and environmental heritage.
Building on its successful partnership with FAI, in 2026 UniCredit will support environmental protection, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation projects across its heritage sites, while helping raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and biodiversity.
This renewed support will advance FAI's efforts to combat the climate crisis and its broader programme, which is expected to invest more than €1 million in 2026. Together, they will deliver the following initiatives this year:
· Energy-efficiency interventions aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions by 35% by 2030 (v 2022 levels) at several FAI properties, including the installation of heat pumps at Castello di Avio in Sabbionara d'Avio (Trento) and Villa del Balbianello in Tremezzina (Como), alongside energy-efficiency upgrades at Villa Della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno (Varese) and Abbazia di Cerrate in Lecce.
· Improving water infrastructure to reduce water consumption and water footprint by 20% by 2030 (v 2019 levels), including enhancements at Monte Fontana Secca in Quero (Belluno), drainage improvements at Villa Rezzola in Lerici (La Spezia).
· Biodiversity initiatives to protect ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, halt and reverse land degradation, and prevent biodiversity loss. This includes the creation of an orchard at Castello della Manta in Manta (Cuneo) soil analysis and biodiversity monitoring at selected FAI sites, birdlife monitoring at Baia di Ieranto in Massa Lubrense (Napoli) and I Giganti della Sila in Spezzano della Sila (Cosenza), and the protection of beehive projects across several properties.
· Educational and communication activities which will bring the public closer to nature and raise awareness of the value of biodiversity. This includes green workshops dedicated to sharing best practice in green space maintenance and awareness campaigns.
The partnership forms part of UniCredit's ESG strategy and reflects the bank's commitment to supporting initiatives that generate a positive and lasting impact for local communities and help shape a more inclusive, sustainable future.
Fiona Melrose, Head of Group People & Culture and responsible for Group ESG at UniCredit:
"We are proud to continue our partnership with FAI and support its mission to preserve Italy's cultural and environmental heritage. This is about more than conservation - it is about safeguarding the landscapes, culture and history that shape our communities, while helping build a more sustainable future. This sits at the heart of our purpose as a bank and our ESG values, and our work with FAI is a concrete example of how we put them into practice."
Davide Usai, General Director, FAI:
"Caring for our cultural and environmental heritage also means making it more resilient to the challenges posed by climate change. Thanks to UniCredit's renewed support, we can continue a journey that brings together protection, innovation and sustainability and deliver tangible initiatives that preserve biodiversity, improve the efficiency of our properties and raise public awareness. This partnership is helping safeguard Italy's heritage and ensuring its value is passed on to future generations."
Milan, July 7 2026
Contact:
UniCredit Media Relations: MediaRelations@unicredit.eu