Cycle of webinars
Sport and environment: Paddling Toward Sustainability
New EU regulations on green claims: how to communicate without greenwashing
15 April 2025
15:00 - 16:00 CET
This webinar will outline the new regulations against greenwashing introduced by the 2024/825/EU Directive.
As sustainability becomes a key focus, sports organizations are under increasing pressure to implement and communicate their environmental efforts. However, without clear communication rules, some green marketing initiatives risk being misleading.
This session will provide participants with an overview of the regulatory provisions to follow and the bans to respect in order to use environmental claims correctly. Also, some examples of greenwashing cases in sports sector will be presented.
PROGRAM:
- 50 min: Overview of EU regulations on green claims: new definitions, provisions and bans introduced by 2024/825/EU Directive that modifies 2005/29/CE Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices. Notes on the proposal for a Directive on "Explicit environmental claims". Examples of greenwashing in the sports sector.
- 10 min: Q&A
- Lecturer: Roberta Iovino, Assistant Professor, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies
Environmental Standards and Certifications in Sports
21 May 2025
15:00 - 16:00 CET
Sustainability in sports goes beyond good intentions, it requires clear standards and verifiable commitments. This webinar explores key environmental process and product certifications that help sports organizations manage and improve their environmental performance. Participants will gain an understanding of internationally recognized frameworks, including ISO 14001, EMAS, and ISO 20121, as well as the role of ecolabels in green procurement. Through real-world examples from sports federations and clubs, this session will provide practical insights into how certifications enhance credibility, ensure legal compliance, and drive continuous environmental improvement.
PROGRAM:
- 50 min: Introduction to environmental standards and certifications relevant to sports, including their benefits and implementation strategies
- 10 min: Q&A
- Lecturer: Matteo Semeraro, Sustainability Management Researcher, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna
Green Procurement and Bidding in Sports
16 June 2025
15:00 - 16:00 CET
Sustainability in sports goes beyond Smart Spending, Sustainable Winning: Green Procurement and Bidding in Sports.
From stadiums to merchandise, every purchase in the sports industry impacts the environment. This webinar focuses on green procurement strategies and sustainable bidding processes that can transform the way sports organizations operate.
The session will provide practical insights on integrating sustainability into procurement policies and bidding criteria, ensuring that events and facilities are built for a greener future.
PROGRAM:
- 50 min: Overview of green procurement strategies and sustainable bidding in sports
- 10 min: Q&A
- Lecturer: Alessio Novi, Sustainability Management Researcher, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna
Sustainability Rating Tool to Greener Competitions
17 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 and Matteo Semeraro (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna)
- 15 min: Presentation by 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
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
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.
