By Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, Jan 12, 2017: Responsibility, The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee has joined organisers of the 20 biggest international sporting events in France to pledge a shared commitment to delivering environmentally responsible and sustainable major sport events with the signing of a national Charter.
The Charter, thought to be the first of its kind in the world, was developed by the French Ministry of Sport in partnership with World Wildlife Fund France (WWF), a strategic partner of the Paris 2024 campaign. It seeks to support the sustainable organisation of major sporting events in France and sets out 15 binding principles that organising committees must adhere to at all stages of the planning, preparation and staging of their events.
Objectives range from ensuring food is ethically sourced, to effective waste management and recycling, efficient water and energy consumption, an ambitious sustainable sourcing policy, maximising clean public transport and other sustainable transport methods, guaranteeing venue and site accessibility, embracing eco-friendly innovation and promoting gender equality.
At the signing of the charter in Paris, Thierry Braillard, Secretary of State for Sport and Pascal Canfin, Director General of World Wildlife Fund France (WWF), welcomed the commitment shown by Paris 2024 and the other event organisers and congratulated those present for their proactive approach to sustainability and shared aspiration to limit the environmental impact of major events in France.
Thierry Braillard, Secretary of State for Sports, said:
“Sport, through the values it promotes, is an important component in the fight against climate change and should be utilised as a means to take concrete action to protect our environment. The success of this challenge requires the mobilisation of all civil society, local authorities and organisations.”
Pascal Canfin, Director General of WWF France, said:
“There is a dynamic movement within sport in France to act on environmental issues. The commitment made today by the organisers of the 20 largest sporting events in France bears witness to this. We are pleased to see that they are prepared to take responsibility to limit the environmental impact of these events and aspire to leave a positive legacy on the cities and communities of France.”
With its compact Games plan and focus on green strategies Paris 2024 continues to place sustainability at the very heart of its bid. Its involvement as a leading partner in the Charter further highlights the bid’s strong environmental record which includes:
– A strategic partnership with WWF France
– The establishment of an Environmental Excellence Committee, Chaired by Isabelle Autissier, President of WWF France in June 2016
– The targeting of the ISO 20121 international best practice certificate in sustainable event management
– An ambitious carbon offsetting policy which will see Paris 2024 become the first carbon neutral bid campaign for an Olympic Games thanks to its partnership with Groupe Caisse des Depots
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 Co-Chair, IOC Member and triple Olympic Champion, said:
“The signing of this agreement is further proof of the commitment of the French sports community towards sustainable development and our desire to contribute to the collective global movement to safeguard the environment. By being part of this initiative, Paris 2024 is once again demonstrating that we are fully engaged with Olympic Agenda 2020 as we continue to plan our Games of passion and purpose that we can share with the world.
“As we prepare to submit the final part of our candidature file to the IOC, we want to demonstrate that Paris 2024 and the city of Paris are leading the way in the delivery of sustainable and responsible major sporting events and we will continue to act as a global hub for sustainable innovation.”
The full list of signatory organisations is:
– Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid
– 2017 Men’s World Handball Championships
– Eco-Trail de Paris
– Schneider Electric Paris Marathon
– French Open Badminton
– Formula E Grand Prix
– 2017 Ice Hockey World Championships
– 2017 World Surfing Games 2017
– Roland Garros
– National Rugby League of France
– Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)
– IAAF 2017 Diamond League meeting in Paris
– 2017 World Wrestling Championships
– Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
– Tour de France
– World Championship of Water Skiing 2017
– 2017 Canoe Slalom World Championships
– GayGames 2018
– European Women’s Handball Championship 2018
– 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup
– Bid Committee for the organisation of the 2023 FIS Ski World Championships.
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