
The Sports Sustainability Framework (SSF) was initiated in 2024 by the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Foundation (SOEEF). It was created as a part of the ‘Environmental Sustainability Impact’ Erasmus+ funded project. It was established to integrate environmental sustainability into Special Olympics sports events and to inspire systemic change within networks of Special Olympics.
Objectives:
- To provide and promote a structured approach to assess and reduce the environmental impacts of sporting events, especially Special Olympics events.
- To empower event planners and organisers to utilise sustainability tools in order to contribute to environmental sustainability
- To foster systemic change and cultural shifts towards environmentally sustainable and inclusive sporting events
Description:
The framework was created in collaboration with athletes, coaches, organisers, and environmental experts over two years. It covers numerous topics, including:
- Energy use and carbon emissions.
- Waste reduction and recycling.
- Sustainable transport for participants.
- Environmentally responsible procurement.
The framework also provides several tools, such as:
- Event sustainability checklists.
- Resource templates.
- Education materials for staff and volunteers.
Impacts & Results
The SSF was pilot tested at numerous Special Olympics events, where it contributed to several sustainability improvements. This included a general reduction in waste and an increase in recycling at venues. Furthermore, it contributed to the awareness amongst organisers, volunteers, and athletes of eco-friendly practices. On a final note and as will be discussed in the next section, the SFF provides a model that can be incorporated by other organisations and sporting clubs beyond that of the Special Olympics network.
Conclusion and Suggestions for Youth Workers and Youth Organisations
As touched upon in the previous section, the SFF can be adapted by different sporting clubs and events of different scales, sizes, and scopes. It can especially be useful as a tool and source of inspiration to educate youth on the relevance and link between sustainability and sports, sustainability checklists in event planning, and promoting eco-friendly behavior associated with sports. A checklist plan can be used to encourage minor changes that yield a considerable impact, such as carpooling, using reusable materials, recycling, and so forth. Ultimately, the SFF can be used in several ways to help inspire organizations and sporting clubs to promote environmental sustainability and climate-conscious event management.
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