7th World Conference on Sport and the Environment - International ...

Report
We will review the final environmental report from Turin 2006, will hear about the environmental
sustainability programmes in Vancouver, London and Sochi.
There will be a great opportunity to learn from the tremendous work already carried by such events as the
IAAF Green Project, the FIFA Green Goal Project, but also the successful initiatives taking place among
NOCs to name just a few.
We can also listen to the environment plans of major regional sports events such as the Asian and
Commonwealth Games.
The sporting goods manufacturers also figure on the programme and will speak about their efforts and
constraints.
We shall also hear from those who are the first and most affected: the athletes.
Our TOP sponsors will take the floor as they realise that a healthy environment is good for sport and for
the business of sport too.
To succeed in our mission, we need to continue to work closely with non-governmental and
environmental advocacy organisations such as UNEP, the WWF and Greenpeace – which can sometimes
be critical of our efforts, encouraging us to do even more and better. They have convinced us that
environmental protection and sport can be combined, taking into account specific circumstances and the
means available in the sports community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I hope that through this <strong>Conference</strong>, we can strengthen strategies related to sport and the environment,
and give ourselves clear directions and tools, as we work together over the next two years before
meeting again to review the results of our work. It is about translating opportunities AND challenges into
concrete projects and programmes.
We are all responsible for the future of our planet no matter who we are or where we come from. Our
challenge is to prove that, through the strengthened partnership of all sectors and a better mutual
understanding, sustainable development through sport can enable us to achieve our common goal: to
give our young people a chance to live and practice sport on a greener and safer planet!
Let’s integrate the culture of sport with the culture of environmentalism to create a better future. It is now
time for action.
Thank you for your attention.
<strong>7th</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Dept.
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