The Sustainability Report

🌳 Biodiversity tools and frameworks: Which work for sport? 🌳 Looking forward to unpacking this topic during the first webinar for our BENCHES project next week – a project which aims to enhance sport’s understanding of its impact on nature. We have some great speakers presenting, and will unveil an in-depth analysis of current biodiversity frameworks and their suitability to the sports industry. A quick teaser: 🔍 95 biodiversity impact assessment tools, frameworks and guidelines were assessed 📉 Only 26% of them we identified as ‘very adaptable’ to the sporting context Does sport need specific tools and frameworks? We’ll discuss that during the session. Introducing our speakers: Annamaria Pesci: ”Sports and nature are strongly connected, but this relationship is not yet well explored. We definitely need management tools to support the measurement and mitigation of sports' impacts on biodiversity." Jana Janotova: “To be able to ‘act for nature’ in an impactful way, it is important for sport organisations to understand their relationship with nature in concrete terms; and the Sports for Nature team is working on a guidance to help sports do just that.” Alessio Novi: ”BENCHES is the first European project involving different sports in the development of a biodiversity assessment tool for the industry. Sport is beginning to recognise its impact on the natural environment, but its needs tools and frameworks to better understand this and take action.” Come and join us next week! Date: Thursday 28 November 📅  Time: 13:00 CET ⏰

Join us in person in Malmö, or online, for our final #MakingSportSustainable conference to conclude the Erasmus+ GAMES project. Focusing on decarbonisation in the sports industry, the conference will include sessions on the following: 🏅 How to organise less carbon intensive sports events 🇪🇺 Advancing sustainability in sport through EU funding 💚 Fan engagement 📈 The final results of the GAMES project 🎽 Sustainability in Floorball For those joining us in person, there’s also an opportunity to attend a match at the Men’s World Floorball Championships 2024. Speakers include: Karin Mårtensson, Tiberio Daddi, Amanda Emet, Ola Ohlson, Bob Ramsak, Alessio Novi, Magdalena Nour, Karin Book, Riikka Rakic, Tero Kalsta and Matthew Campelli Where: Malmö Arena Hotel (or online) 🇸🇪 When: Tuesday 10 December (9:00-13:00) 🗓 Registration: In the comments 💬 All conference details below 👇

Biodiversity tools and frameworks: Which work for sport? That’s what we’re aiming to uncover at the upcoming webinar for the Erasmus+ funded BENCHES project. Join us as we explore which existing tools and frameworks could work best for the sports industry when it comes to nature #conservation and protection. During the webinar, we also reflect on what the sports industry needs in a #biodiversity tool. Our guests include: – Annamaria Pesci (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies) – Alessio Novi (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies) – Jana Janotova (Sport for Nature, IUCN) Moderated by Matthew Campelli (Touchline/Touchline Earth) Date: Thursday 28 November 📅 Time: 13:00 CET ⏰ Registration: In the comments 👇

If the sport can use its platform to spotlight more climate solutions than climate change contributors – and push low-carbon options to the mainstream – it could make a meaningful difference. #sportsbusiness #climatechange #partnerships

Things have evolved since a room of #sustainability and #sport enthusiasts and a handful of sports organisations sat in a side room at COP24 in Katowice, Poland, in December 2018 to mark the launch of the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework. Almost six years on, one of the architects of the framework, Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu of the UNFCCC, addressed a standing-room-only event at Deloitte House in #Paris, calling on sport to show “climate solidarity”.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile has evolved its sustainability strategy to better address the “triple planetary crisis”: 🏁 Appointed a sustainability director and established a dedicated department 💰 Linking sustainability with financial instruments 0️⃣ Aligning with new net zero definition 🚘 Positioning itself as a convener between governments, manufacturers and fans 🤝 Accelerating research through collaborations

To what extent does nature support sporting activity and achievement ❓ That’s the question we’re hoping to (partially) answer through a new Erasmus+ funded project, titled BENCHES. BENCHES is all about enhancing sports organisations’ understanding of their impact on biodiversity – and how valuable a healthy natural environment is for their own success and viability. Together, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, World Athletics, International Biathlon Union, F.I.C.K. Italian Canoe Kayak Federation, World Sailing, Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Touchline, will explore: 🌳 How to best support the implementation of nature-based solutions and environmental policies in sport 🌊 Competences and knowledge about biodiversity management and ecosystem services in sport 🐝 The current state of biodiversity management and ecosystem services in sport Check out our video and website to find out more 👇

“Sure, you can make a little more money short-term working with fossil fuel companies, but in the long-term you’re undermining the health of your sport and your ability to make money. For sports teams and leagues who have committed to being net zero, or have any sort of climate goal, it’s clearly incredibly hypocritical to partner with these companies.” 👇

Widely recognised as one of the most environmentally aware sports federations, World Sailing unveiled its #sustainability strategy in 2018, long before many others followed suit. Six years on, the federation has published its first sustainability report, outlining the progress it has made, and where there is work still to be done. In this session, we talk with Alexandra Rickham PLY, World Sailing’s director of sustainability, to delve into some of the report’s key areas and explore what’s next.

'Join the Rugby for Nature Squad and make it a 10-point game for nature and rugby!' That's the message delivered in the recently-unveiled Rugby for Nature Toolkit, which World Rugby has produced as part of its work as a Sports for Nature signatory. Made up of 10 actions, the toolkit will be outlined by its architects Jaime M. (World Rugby) and Sam Barratt (UN Environment Programme) during this edition of The Game Plan. We'll explore: 🏉 What the Rugby for Nature toolkit is 👕 How rugby clubs and other sports organisations can build their own 'Nature Squads' 🍃 Why there are 'Five Rs' to support Rugby for Nature – and what they are Come and join us 👇