Cycle of webinars
Sport and environment: Paddling Toward Sustainability
Innovative practices and tools for a greener future in sports
Sports play a unique role in championing sustainability due to their global reach and ability to influence communities. By adopting greener practices, sports can lead by example, demonstrating how industries can contribute to the fight against climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss.
The "Sport and Environment" webinar is an integral part of the DECK project (Developing Environmental Circular Knowledge), which strives to increase awareness and promote the adoption of environmental management and circular economy practices among key stakeholders in the world of sports. Focused on canoeing and kayaking competitions, DECK seeks to foster the transition of these sports toward circular economy principles. By leveraging the leadership of national canoe and kayak federations, the project introduces innovative environmental governance tools and integrates advanced sustainability practices into event operations. This webinar highlights the pivotal role of sports in driving sustainability and provides participants with knowledge, tools, and actionable strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of events while inspiring sustainable transformations across all sports disciplines.
The lessons learned in canoeing and kayaking can serve as a reference point for other sports, showcasing how innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand to preserve our planet for future generations.
Sustainable Strategies for Kayaking and Canoeing Events
28 January 2025
15:00 - 16:00 CET
The first webinar focuses on "Guidelines for the Environmental Management of Canoeing and Kayaking Events." These guidelines aim to support sports organizations in their journey toward sustainability by offering practical advice and solutions for reducing the environmental impact of events. Covering the entire event lifecycle, from planning to post-event evaluation, the guidelines address key areas such as energy use, waste management, water conservation, and resource efficiency. By following these recommendations, organizers can make more sustainable choices that not only benefit the environment but also enhance the overall experience for participants and spectators. This session will provide attendees with the tools and inspiration needed to implement effective environmental practices in their events, plus direct examples of guidelines applications.
PROGRAM:
- 20 min: Overview of the "Guidelines for the Environmental Management of Canoeing and Kayaking Events" and presentation of the new web-based platform by Professor Tiberio Daddi and Matteo Semeraro (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna).
- 30 min: Presentation by Anna Merlini from the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation (FICK) and Jacob Marusic from the Slovenian Kayak Federation (KZS), sharing their experiences in implementing the guidelines to improve the environmental performance of their events.
- 10 min: Q&A
Understanding the environmental impact of Sports Events through Life Cycle Assessment
19 February 2025
15:00 - 16:00 CET
This webinar delves into the importance of conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to understand the environmental impact of sports events. LCA offers a comprehensive analysis of every stage of an event, from raw material use to waste disposal, enabling organizers to identify key areas for improvement. Through this process, sports organizations can calculate their carbon footprint and develop targeted strategies to minimize emissions, optimize resource use, and reduce overall environmental harm. By adopting LCA, events can align with global sustainability goals and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders. Participants will leave this session equipped with the knowledge to implement LCA methodologies in their own contexts, driving meaningful environmental change.
PROGRAM:
- 30 min: Explanation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), its importance in calculating the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact of sports and kayak events, by Professor Tiberio Daddi and Matteo Semeraro (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna).
- 15 min: Presentation by Georgia Griva, Project Manager of the Hellenic Canoe-Kayak, SUP, Surfing Federation (HCKF), discussing the use of LCA to identify impactful sustainability strategies, with a focus on challenges and successes in reducing the carbon footprints of canoeing and kayaking events.
- 15 min: Q&A
Sustainability Rating Tool to Greener Competitions
26 March 2025
15:00 - 16:00 CET
This webinar session introduces the Sustainability Rating Tool (SRT), a cutting-edge resource developed by SSSA to help sports organizations assess and enhance the sustainability of their events. The SRT evaluates nine key environmental dimensions, including waste management, energy efficiency, transportation, and biodiversity. By examining these dimensions, the tool provides a clear sustainability score, ranging from 0 to 100, offering organizers a snapshot of their event's environmental performance. The SRT not only highlights areas for improvement but also helps organizations prioritize actions to bridge the gap between current practices and ideal sustainability standards. This session will empower participants with a practical tool to make informed decisions, ensuring their events set a new benchmark for environmental responsibility.
PROGRAM:
- 30 min: Presentation of the Sustainability Rating Tool (SRT), its functionalities, and the new web based platform by Professor Tiberio Daddi, Matteo Semeraro (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna) and Sandro Peggion (SdS)
- 15 min: Presentation by Ivana Šundov, Project Manager of the Croatian Canoe Federation (CCF), sharing experiences with the SRT, detailing how the tool helped evaluate event sustainability and prioritize improvements effectively.
- 15 min: Q&A
