Guide to environmentally-sound large sporting events

Guide to environmentally-sound large sporting events

„Green Champions in Sport and Environment“ is published by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the German Olympic Sports Confederation. The many examples of good practices that it contains therefore relate to action taken in Germany. They demonstrate that a number of measures have already been implemented at large sporting events and are therefore feasible. Comparable initiatives have also been taken in other countries. The German examples of good practice are merely representative. Moreover, the recommendations for action put forward in the guide are implementable in every country.They apply – taking into consideration respective local conditions – to a Football World Cup in Germany as well as to a World Cup in South Africa, to Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart as well as to World Championships in London, and to a marathon race in Berlin as well as to one in New York. The guide is aimed, above all, at the organizers of large sporting events. It is also directed, however, at national and international sports associations, since these set the framework through the demands they make on events, through contracts with sponsors and through their competition rules. Organizers can only operate within these limits, and this applies also to the development and implementation of environmental concepts. The guide wishes, in particular, to encourage sports associations to examine how the framework for environmentally favourable large sporting events can be further improved. In order that there be even more green champions in sport and environment in the future, national and international sports associations should also link the awarding of events to ecological demands. This guide offers sports associations practical support and a great deal of advice on the laying down of ecological standards for event organizers and host cities.