In the North Milan socio-economic re-development process, the environment has played a decisive role both in the strategies adopted for converting brownfields and also in special technical and building criteria, in particular for new production units. From this point of view, Milano Metropoli promotes experimentation, eco-awareness and services to give concrete support to business and to the area on subjects such as eco-management and certification and energy efficiency.

• Organismo SENOMI: a non-profit association set up in 2005 to help firms in two industrial parks with their EMAS 2 certification process and to promote environmental certification throughout the Milanese territory - www.lifesenomi.it
• Local environmental certification: SENOMI, Sustainable EMAS North Milan (2004-2006): via this project, two North Milan industrial areas have been awarded certification. The Agency's aim was to motivate small and medium-sized businesses and entire homogeneous industrial districts to work towards improving their own eco-performance (efficient energy, raw material management...) and obtaining EMAS certification.
• Energy savings: PREFER - Centre for energy saving and renewable energy sources (2004-2005): the project highlighted best practices in social and industrial building at an international level and offered incentives for improvements to existing buildings and those currently under construction. It also provided both builders and entrepreneurs, with suggestions, details of regulations, eco-compatible products and training courses, as well as a virtual window for contacting experts in the sector - www.ediliziaerisparmioenergetico.it
• Agenda 21 - Large-scale Retail Distribution (2004-2006): with this project Milano Metropoli pioneered the study of the impact that major retail distribution have on the environment. The idea was to identify guidelines for sustainably managed super and hypermarkets. The project looked at key factors such as time policies, energy, mobility, waste, certified products, the integrated eco-management system and communication strategies

Milano Metropoli works closely with the public authorities operating in the metropolitan area of Milan and in partnership with local town councils, development agencies, universities and research centres, trade unions, the business community, banks, foundations and no-profit organizations. Milano Metropoli's mission focuses on the following strategic areas: Territorial marketing; Support strategic economic sectors; Special reindustrialization and urban regeneration; development projects. Shareholders in Milano Metropoli include the Province of Milan (majority shareholder), the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Finlombarda (the financial holding of the Lombardy Region), ComuneImprese (the Rhodense development on behalf of 11 municipalities), the municipalities of Sesto San Giovanni, Bresso, Cinisello Balsamo and Cologno Monzese, as well as private enterprises.