Decarbonising cultural and creative industries: Mapping the potential and limits of Italian startups for sustainable innovation

The paper analyses the ecosystem of innovative startups operating in the cultural and creative industries and related tourism sectors in Italy, examining their contribution to decarbonisation processes in these sectors, a field still underexplored in the literature on sustainable innovation. Based on data from the National Innovative Enterprises Register, the study adopts a mixed methodological approach. The findings highlight how innovative startups are developing technological and management solutions compatible with the specific needs of the CCIs. These solutions include tools for energy management, sustainable digitalisation, material reuse, and emissions monitoring. However, the study also reveals structural challenges that hinder the diffusion of such innovations, including limited resources, small team sizes, territorial concentration, and a limited ability to build collaborative networks.