On September 20th, 2024, the second edition of the AIS National Day for Sustainability and Solidarity took place at the Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana. Organized by the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS), the event brought together leading voices from across industries to explore how sustainability and social values can be embedded into business practices — including digital publishing.
Among the keynote speakers was Enrico Tacchini, founder and Director of WEIJI, who offered a powerful perspective on the role of digital transformation in publishing and how it can become a lever for both environmental and social progress.
Digital Sustainability: A New Publishing Paradigm
During his talk, Enrico highlighted the environmental advantages of embracing digital publishing over traditional print. He shared impactful data: the paper industry consumes approximately 40% of the world’s harvested wood and emits over 180 million tons of CO₂ annually. Transitioning to digital formats can reduce paper demand by 10–20% and lower the emissions tied to physical book distribution by up to 95%.
But the message went beyond numbers. Enrico invited the audience to move past the old “paper vs. digital” dichotomy. He introduced a more integrated model — one that combines the tangibility of print with the reach and flexibility of digital, offering a richer, more sustainable reading experience.
A key example? The ongoing collaboration between WEIJI and AIS, which enables the digital distribution of educational and scientific wine content under the “Speaking of Wine” platform — a project that blends tradition and innovation for a global audience.
A Day of Shared Values
The AIS National Day centered around four key themes: Humanity, Ethics, Environment, and Solidarity. Alongside Enrico Tacchini, other distinguished speakers included Gianluca Cornelio Meglio, Director of the Turin Agro-Food Center, and Carlos Veloso dos Santos, General Manager of Amorim Cork Italia. Their contributions focused on sustainable business models and the circular economy within the cork industry, respectively.
The event was a meaningful space for dialogue — demonstrating how sustainability can be infused across sectors, from agri-food to publishing, through tangible action and innovation.
WEIJI’s Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Enrico Tacchini’s participation underscored WEIJI’s dedication to leveraging technology for the greater good: creating accessible, intelligent, and eco-conscious editorial experiences. By aligning with the values of AIS and embracing sustainability as a core principle, WEIJI continues to push the boundaries of what digital publishing can achieve.
For more on the event, visit the official AIS page:
National Day of Sustainability and Solidarity 2024