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ASOIF
06 Mar 2024

ASOIF’s first Sustainability Workshop boosts collaboration and action

More than 50 representatives from over 30 International Federations (IFs), the International Olympic Committee and expert organisations addressed together pressing sustainability issues in sport during ASOIF’s inaugural Sustainability Workshop.

Organised by the ASOIF Sustainability Consultative Group (ASCG), the highly interactive event was held on 5 and 6 March in Lausanne, Switzerland. From climate risks and pragmatic approaches to circular economy, to IF specific challenges and case studies: the two-day agenda provided a platform for topical discussions, exchange of knowledge, new ideas and inspiration. Participants heard first-hand from the United Nations (UN) Climate Change secretariat on the Sports for Climate Action framework. They also learnt about Paris 2024’s procurement and supply chain strategies and received insights from 11th Hour Racing Team on how sustainability is at the core of all their team operations to inspire action for long-lasting positive change for the ocean.

David Graham, Chair of the ASCG and Chief Executive Officer of World Sailing, said after the meeting:

IFs have to play an instrumental role in promoting the different dimensions of sustainability in their respective sporting environments, and several of them are already active in this regard. The Workshop offered an important platform to learn from and support each other, and also involved external expertise which is very much needed. The dynamics throughout the last two days were excellent and, most importantly, resulted in a number of new initiatives on how IFs can collaborate in this space.

The meeting highlighted the importance of aligning IF approaches and of the collective effort of the Olympic Movement to maximise the impact of sport in the field of sustainability, thereby contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the UN.

Concrete outcomes and take-aways of the Workshop include:

  • The ASCG will develop a sustainability tracking tool for IFs to monitor their progression and develop their current sustainability strategies.
  • The Workshop participants will support and input on a Plan for the Olympic Movement on promoting sustainability which will be presented at the upcoming COP29, the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference.
  • Online workshops will be scheduled throughout 2024 to follow-up on some of the above action items and on further developing IF sustainability strategies.
  • To facilitate knowledge exchange, all participating IFs will increase communications on their Sports for Climate and for Nature initiatives and future action.

Following the success of the first Sustainability Workshop, this will become a yearly event to keep engaging IFs in this important area, promote joint initiatives, and drive and track progress among the ASOIF Members.