SandSI and World Athletics team up to advance the sustainability movement in sport
February 11, 2021 – In a global research study in 2020*, people from 18 countries were asked how the pandemic would change their future behaviours. The research found that the biggest change in behaviour, across all 18 countries, was to be more health-conscious post COVID-19. The second biggest behaviour change was to be more environmentally conscious.
Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) is honored and proud to announce that World Athletics has become a member of SandSI, which promises to drive forward the sustainability movement in sport.
Together, SandSI and World Athletics will focus on putting in place a sustainability framework of best practices, leveraging the power of sport and athletics to create a better world for future generations to enjoy.
The partnership aims to support World Athletics continuing commitment and efforts toward a more sustainable future. In April 2020, World Athletics announced its Sustainability Strategy, the central goal of which is to make World Athletics’ operations and its global World championship events carbon neutral by 2030.
“We are excited to partner with World Athletics and support their Sustainability Strategy and ongoing efforts.” said Philippe Duperrex, Secretary General of SandSI. “We commend the strides World Athletics is making in the area of sustainability, and we look forward to working together as we endeavor to achieve our collective SDG targets.”
Key to the success of all organized athletic competitions, at every level, is a sustainable and healthy environment in which events and training can be held safely.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Paolo Emilio Adami, MD from World Athletics’ Health and Science Department said: ”Our sustainability strategy is ambitious but necessarily so as meaningful change requires large scale thinking, collaboration and a robust and realistic timeframe for delivery. Air Quality is one of the six focus areas of our Sustainability Strategy and we are working closely with cities and venues to effectively monitor air quality, raise awareness of an invisible threat that claims the lives of 7 million people across the world every year and find ways of protecting athletes and the 1.4 billion people who run regularly. We are looking forward to this important collaboration with SandSI and other partners.”
SandSI and World Athletics jointly recognize the vital role the sport industry plays in addressing sustainability issues facing the world today, as well as the need for a collective response to these challenges. It is this collaborative spirit that will help accelerate the sustainability movement in sport, creating a better and more sustainable world, and future, for all.
About Sport and Sustainability International:
Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) is a non-for-profit Swiss association with headquarters based in Lausanne. Founded in 2017, SandSI seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport, aligning its activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). A global membership organisation, SandSI’s current membership is comprised of sport and non-sport entities as well as individuals representing 40+ countries, across all continents.
Media Contact for SandSI:
About World Athletics:
World Athletics is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, covering track and field, cross country running, road running, race walking, mountain running, and ultra running. Founded in 1912, World Athletics headquarters are based in Monaco and is comprised of Member Federations representing 214 nations.
Media Contact for World Athletics:
* Source: Toluna, Global Barometer, Consumer Reactions to COVID-19;
March 25-April 2, 2020