London, UK, June 4, 2019: The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) today announced its commitment to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework Wimbledon, in recognition of the critical need for sport to play its part in helping to implement the Paris Agreement and accelerate the transformative change needed to achieve climate neutrality.
By joining the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the AELTC pledges to implement the principles enshrined in the Sports for Climate Action Framework and commits to working collaboratively with it peers and relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and enhance the climate action agenda within the sports industry, leading with action at The Championships, and using the strength of the Wimbledon brand to advocate for the message that concerted collaborative action needs.
Richard Lewis, Chief Executive of the AELTC, commented: “We believe that Wimbledon, along with other major events, has a vital role to play in helping to protect the environment, today and for the future, and we are proud to be a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
We will play our part not just through our actions on our Grounds, both year-round and during The Championships, but in the way we collaborate with our partners, and the way we can use the reach of Wimbledon to help support this important cause.”
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa commented: “High-profile sporting events such as Wimbledon uniquely placed to advocate for and drive global change.
I pleased that Wimbledon has chosen to use it global leadership position to help us address the world’s greatest challenge: climate change.”
The AELTC announced in 2018 that protecting the environment was a significant focus as part of the development of its sustainability goals and objectives, and has started to make some progress through the following measures:
the sourcing of renewable electricity, the removal of unnecessary plastic from its operation such as plastic straws and plastic bags for racket stringing, the launch of a new 100% recycled, recyclable water bottle in partnership with evian, the use of recycled plastic for furniture, trialling electric cars in its courtesy car fleet, and the launch of an educational activation area for the public to highlight the possibilities of a greener future.
These steps are important in their own right but also a signal of the AELTC’s intent, and, as a signatory of the Framework, the AELTC will be implementing steps to measure, reduce and report its climate impacts through its commitment to the following five principles:
Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
Reduce overall climate impact
Educate for climate action
Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
Advocate for climate action through communication
Other notable signatories to the framework to date include the IOC, Roland-Garros, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 FIFA, Formula E and the USTA.
For more information, visit wimbledon.com/sustainability.
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