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

Report
The ECOMASS project was mainly funded by Finland public authorities, the European Commission and
the IAAF. The Manual is published in English and French, and has been distributed to all National Athletics
federations and concerned parties.
Mombasa’s Green Cross-Country event
It was in pursuit of environmental requirement that Kenya Athletics in conjunction with IAAF
commissioned the President of the Green Africa Foundation, Mr. Isaac P. Kalua, to draw up a
comprehensive guidelines and environmental objectives to mark the 35th IAAF <strong>World</strong> Cross-Country
Championships hosted last March in Mombasa, Kenya.
The waste management programme included food and beverages catering services, street cleaning,
efficient waste sorting systems, collection and recycling of used water bottles.
A joint venture between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Green Africa
Foundation was carried out in formulation and implementation of mitigation measures in abating the
increase of CO 2
emissions before, during and after the event.
The pre-event activities included the planting of “ASHOKA TREE” whose botanical name is SARACA
INDICA, picked due to its beautiful foliage which are evergreen and its fragrant and uniform growth
pattern. The tree planting session involved athletes, IAAF President and Council Members. A total of 650
trees were planted around the course where the Championships were staged.
The Mombasa City Council has taken over the green project after the event, by replacing the vegetation
that has worn out, in order to keep a green and clean ground. Brochures with environmental information
on green practices, energy saving tips, resource consumption control, eco-friendly waste disposal,
were distributed to all participating athletes. An education centre set up at the event area, provided
the general public, information on the care and protection of the environment, and related issues.
The results achieved in Mombasa demonstrated that Kenyan Athletics has grasped, thanks to green
Africa Foundation the opportunity to present itself as the first African Sport entity that is friendly to the
environment and sporting activities.
The adverse environmental effects that are inevitably associated with organizing any major sporting event
were therefore kept as low as possible. The IAAF supported the project with financial assistance.
Osaka’s Green Project
In order to make active contribution to improving environmental situation, ensuring an eco-activism at
the 11th IAAF <strong>World</strong> Championships in Athletics which was held in Osaka Japan from the 25th August
– 2nd September 2007, the Local Organizing Committee succeeded in undertaking several eco-friendly
initiatives.
Basic physical exercise such as “running,” “jumping” and “throwing,” which doesn’t require a special
environment represents the simplest actions for human beings which is a very origin of Athletics.
In the real life however favourable environments to practice athletics are not provided equally for all
the world population. Environmental disruption has been aggravated to an incredible fast pace due
to incremental carbon dioxide emissions, serious deforestation and desertification, destroying the
irreplaceable nature of ecosystems.
The Osaka Local Organizing Committee has innovated its greening campaigns by a fundraising drive to
finance its tree planting activities and research undertakings in cooperation with Osaka University, on
cutting down of printing results, recycling papers and voc ink, bio-tech toilet and returnable containers.
Besides the event management for the good Earth where you can run, jump and throw, various ecological
measures were implemented.
The greening campaigns involved the local authorities, the volunteers and the public at large.
The planting of poplars trees at Nagi Stadium by each of the world champions, after their victories
promoted significantly the greening activities during the championships.
<strong>7th</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Dept.
Page 65/256