We are proud to announce that we have joined the UNFCCC’s Sports for Climate Action initiative as a signatory to the Sports for Climate Action Framework.
The World Games and the IWGA has always had sustainability as one of its core values, and for example it is never required of the host city to build new venues for the Games. Therefore, it is natural for the IWGA to join the Sports for Climate Action. The initiative calls on sporting organisations to acknowledge the contribution of the sports sector to climate change and our responsibility to strive towards climate neutrality for a safer planet.
Through collective action and bold leadership, we have the power to make this fast and drastic transformation. By signing the Framework, we have demonstrated our commitment to playing our part to ensure the sports sector is on the path to a low-carbon future.
In line with the five core principles enshrined in the Framework and the aims of the Paris Agreement, our organisation will strive to:
- promote greater environmental responsibility;
- reduce the overall climate impact from sports;
- use our platform to educate for climate action;
- promote sustainable and responsible consumption; and
- advocate for climate action through our communications.
Speaking at the launch event for the Framework, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa explained that sports organisations and athletes are in a unique position in the race against climate change “because sports touches on every cross-section of society”.
With this in mind, we hope our commitment will inspire our fans, community and government to raise their climate ambition in a united effort to limit global warming to 1.5oC. This is a race we can—and must—win to avoid significantly worsening the risk of droughts, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in The World Games.
