World Athletics Sets New Environmental Standards in Global Track and Field Circuit

Summary – World Athletics unveils its pioneering ‘Athletics for a Better World’ standard to revolutionize sustainability in global track and field events.,

Article –

World Athletics has taken a landmark step by releasing its first annual review assessing track and field events against the newly introduced ‘Athletics for a Better World’ (ABW) standard. This pioneering framework aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of athletics competitions globally while enhancing social and economic benefits for host communities.

Setting the Stage

Track and field events, held worldwide across multiple continents, traditionally face significant logistical and environmental challenges such as high travel emissions, waste generation, and resource consumption. The ABW standard was created to address these issues by guiding event organisers towards more sustainable, socially inclusive practices. This standard evaluates multiple key criteria:

• Carbon footprint reduction
• Waste management
• Community engagement
• Equitable economic impacts

Aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ABW standard signals World Athletics’ strategic commitment to sustainability and transformative change in sport.

The Turning Point

The 2024 review examined numerous international meets over the previous season, highlighting commendable efforts at major Diamond League and World Athletics Series events. Some key sustainable actions included:

• Introducing renewable energy-powered stadium infrastructure
• Minimising single-use plastics to surpass baseline standards
• Implementing innovative carbon offsetting strategies
• Establishing zero-waste policies
• Expanding community-led initiatives with local athlete engagement

These actions resulted in approximately a 20% reduction in carbon emissions at some events and boosted local economies by prioritising local vendors. However, the review also emphasized ongoing challenges, particularly with transportation and international travel emissions, urging innovation in logistics and exploring possible future rule changes.

Tactical and Technical Breakdown

The ABW standard introduces a multi-dimensional appraisal system combining:

1. Carbon tracking tools
2. Social impact assessments
3. Economic efficacy metrics

This holistic approach equips organisers to implement sustainable infrastructure, such as energy-efficient lighting, smart waste recycling, and locally sourced catering. Furthermore, digital technologies are encouraged to reduce paper use and improve fan engagement via virtual experiences that can help lower crowd-related emissions.

Beyond organisers, the standard fosters a community culture of environmental stewardship that involves athletes and fans, with an emphasis on transparency, education, and public reporting to ensure accountability.

Reactions from the Sport

The review has received widespread approval from athletes, coaches, and administrators. Key points include:

• Athletes appreciating focused efforts on the environmental aspect of their sport
• National federations planning to integrate these guidelines into their event planning
• Coaches anticipating changes in competition formats and training due to sustainability considerations
• Sponsors and partners welcoming the sustainability alignment for modern marketing and fan engagement

There are also calls to incorporate sustainability benchmarks into athlete eligibility and funding accountability frameworks, highlighting the potential impact on governance.

What Comes Next?

Looking forward, World Athletics aims to extend the ABW standard beyond elite meets to include grassroots, regional, and youth competitions. The organisation plans full event certification by 2030, with continuous refinement of criteria based on scientific research and stakeholder input.

Future developments may feature:

• Stricter regulations on carbon-intensive travel
• Incentives for virtual competition elements
• Stronger partnerships with environmental organisations
• Integration of sustainability indicators into athlete rankings and qualification systems

Ultimately, ‘Athletics for a Better World’ represents a transformative shift, making sustainability a fundamental pillar of athletic excellence and social responsibility. This initiative could serve as a model for other sports balancing competitive ambition with ecological stewardship.

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Mitali

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