Council for Responsible Sport represents US and global sporting events at the UNFCCC Dialogue on Sport and Climate Action in Bonn, Germany. Participation recognizes role of Council in helping shape an increasingly responsible future for sports events
The Council for Responsible Sport, the world’s leading independent certification body of responsibly produced sporting events participated in last week’s United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Dialogue on Sport and Climate Action in Bonn, Germany as a prelude to COP23, where governments are meeting this month to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The Council represented the perspective and experience of the growing number of sporting events around the world that are choosing to produce events in a more environmentally, economic and socially sustainable fashion. With more than 140 events independently certified globally by the Council, it was uniquely positioned to provide practical and independent input that reflects the activities of some of the world’s leading sporting events.
“We are honored to have been asked to represent the sports events sector at the UN Summit” said Michele Grossman, Council for Responsible Sport Board Chair for the Council for Responsible Sport and Managing Principal at WASTE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES. “Sporting events represent not only the chance to create change at events themselves, but more importantly to support change and action in the millions of people who participate, attend or watch sporting events each year” she continued.
Council for Responsible Sport represents US and global sporting events at the UNFCCC Dialogue on Sport and Climate Action in Bonn, Germany. Participation recognizes role of Council in helping shape an increasingly responsible future for sports events
The Council for Responsible Sport is an Oregon, USA based not-for-profit which has worked with hundreds of events globally to help them both establish a straightforward framework to hosting a more sustainable event, then independently verify actions taken. This gives confidence to event owners, host cities, sponsors and participants that events are making a real difference in the way they manage their environmental footprint, engage with local communities and underpin economic legacy.
“We focus on supporting responsible events that work for all stakeholders and we are seeing an accelerating growth in the number of events at all levels looking to work in a different way” Grossman commented.
Grossman reflected that highlights of the discussion focused on identifying the greatest impact each of the represented groups can have on climate change in the next five years, “were very encouraging and timely”. “It was a powerful group and it was exciting for the Council to be alongside other leading organizations at the event that included NHL, Formula E, FIFA, NFL, UEFA, and the Golf Environment Organization, among others” she remarked.
“Being a global organization, I believe we were able to represent the views of a growing sports movement at this important UN dialogue” said Grossman. The Council for Responsible Sport has worked with events in North and South America, Europe, Africa and the first Asian events expected in 2018. The Council has worked with a number of marquee organizations including world championship events for the International Association of Athletic Associations (IAAF) and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) along with World Marathon Major, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, USA Olympic Track and Field Trials, NCAA Final Four and Track and Field Championships. A full list of certified events can been VIEWED HERE.
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