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

Report
1.2. Message from the Chairman of the IOC Sport and Environment
Commission, Mr Pál Schmitt
With the 2008 Games on the horizon, the <strong>7th</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Sport and the
Environment could not have been held in a more appropriate location than the
Chinese capital, Beijing, to recall that the Olympic and Sports Movement should
conduct its activities in a socially responsible manner including environmentally
sustainable practices. Sport, and in particular athletes, need a healthy environment,
but sport also needs to contribute to a sustainable environment.
Placed under the motto “From Plan to Action”, this <strong>7th</strong> edition proved to be
once again a unique platform for the 400 participants from all over the world
– representing sport organisations, sponsors, sports event organisers, NGOs,
industry, UN bodies, national and municipal governments and research institutions.
They had the opportunity not only to work together to share knowledge and review
achievements, but also to discuss best practices and to find progressive solutions
for environmental challenges.
Over the last two years since the Nairobi <strong>Conference</strong>, we have made significant
progress with our partners for greener sport: from the adoption of the IOC Guide
on Sport, Environment and Sustainability to the publication of the first UNEP
environmental review on the hosting of the Beijing Games. As you will see in
this Report and in particular in the recommendations, it is all about translating
opportunities and challenges into concrete projects and programmes. We all have
to play our part in this global effort for a sustainable environment, in our global fight
against climate change – and this applies to every one of us, everyday.
I should like to express my sincere thanks to the <strong>Conference</strong> participants for their
active collaboration; to our partners, the government of the People’s Republic
of China, the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Beijing Organising Committee
for the 2008 Games and the United Nations Environment Programme for their
close cooperation and support; and to my fellow members on the IOC Sport and
Environment Commission for their outstanding work and commitment.
Our challenge is to prove that, through the strengthened partnership of all
stakeholders and 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 practise sport on a greener and safer planet! It is now time for
action!
<strong>7th</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Dept.
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