FIS Joins United Nations’ Sports For Climate Action Framework

FIS is proud to announce that it has joined the UNFCCC’s (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Sports for Climate Action initiative as a signatory to the Sports for Climate Action Framework as first and important measure of the FIS Sustainability Policy.

The Sports for Climate Action initiative calls on sporting organisations to acknowledge the contribution of the sports sector to climate change and our responsibility to strive towards climate neutrality for a safer planet.

By signing the Framework, FIS has demonstrated its commitment to playing a role to ensure the sports sector is on the path to a low-carbon future.

In line with the five core principles enshrined in the Framework and the aims of the Paris Agreement, FIS will strive to:

•  promote greater environmental responsibility;
•  reduce the overall climate impact from sports;
• use our platform to educate for climate action;
• promote sustainable and responsible consumption; and
• advocate for climate action through our communications

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper said of the signing, “This is an important and clear step for FIS to play its role in combating climate change. The Framework provides sports organisations with tangible guidance via its five principles to help sports organisations serve as role models in sustainability.”

“At a time of unprecedented momentum in the crucial global fight against climate change, the sports community is proving, once again, that its power extends well beyond the field of play,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco, IOC Member and Chair of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission. “The UN Sports for Climate Action Framework provides a perfect opportunity to use this power to help the world address the threats of climate change to our planet.” 

“From the development of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework through to its implementation, the IOC is proud to be working hand in hand with UN Climate Change and other sports organisations to define how the world of sport responds to the climate emergency,” said Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability.

“There are few sectors that are as powerful in engaging people as sport,” said Niclas Svenningsen, Manager for Global Climate Action at UN Climate Change. “Bringing the sports community on board the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework has therefore been a high priority for us. The IOC’s leadership role in this process has been extremely valuable. We look forward to working closely together on the Framework’s implementation.”

A UN Climate Change Initiative, the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework was co-developed by the IOC and launched at the UN climate talks (COP 24) in December 2018. It calls on the sports community to jointly develop a climate action agenda for sport, adhering to five principles: promoting greater environmental responsibility, reducing overall climate impact, educating for climate action, promoting sustainable and responsible consumption, and advocating for climate action through communication.

Eighty sports organisations have joined the Framework so far, including 14 International Sports Federations (IFs) and the Organising Committees for the next three Olympic Games editions: Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024.

Speaking at the launch event for the Framework, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa explained that sports organisations and athletes are in a unique position in the race against climate change “because sports touches on every cross-section of society”.

FIS will work with its National Ski Associations and Organisers to unite efforts to undertake actions and limit global warming to 1.5°C. This is a race society can - and must - win to avoid significantly worsening the risk of droughts, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people and we all have a responsibility to contribute.

The FIS Mainau Forum 2019 “The Future of the Mountain Population” will take place from 20th to 22nd November and further FIS sustainability measures and actions will be communicated afterwards.