EUSA and its Institute aim to reduce carbon footprint at our events. By adopting the EUSA Green Policy, taking part in educational events, engaging in projects and initiatives like Green Sports Hub Europe (GSHE), we work with partners, events organisers and local communities towards this goal. This is the case also for events such as European Universities Championships.

 

The Green Sports Europe Hub (GSHE) project, a 3 year co-funded by Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union started on January 2021, revolves around making the sport sector more sustainable and more green: a seed to improve sport’s environmental performance and a real hub for sport organisations across Europe to identify their needs and potential actions.

Events such as EUCs, and in specific this year's European Universities Rugby 7s Championship, are very good examples of applying some of the measures and principles learnt from the GSHE project and already foundational part of EUSA Green Policy - approved and valid for all EUSA activities since November 2020 - a program that sets a more strategic sustainable policy for the organisation.

Lisbon's European Universities Rugby 7s Championship demonstrated very well that some of these measures and principles lead towards reaching the common goals of sustainable organization.

The course of action of the Organizing Committee in the Portuguese Capital was clear and simple, including the implementation of many effective rules and protocols, namely:

- COMPACT EVENT: reducing the need of local transport (vicinity of sports, accommodation, and catering venues)
- RECYCLING: separating waste & recycling management at all venues
- SUSTAINABLE PLAYING FIELD: using artificial turf for a better water consumption acknowledging the specific weather conditions
- WATER SAVING: conscious drinking water use, preferring tap water and providing reusable water bottles
- SMART CATERING: focusing on localised food sources and applying a less waste food management system, including donation of leftovers
- PAPER REDUCTION: taking advantage of all digital and online system for information and schedules
- RE-USE: all the branding for the event was donated to local associations, for material reuse

EUSA congratulates the OC of the European Universities Rugby 7s Championship in Lisbon, Portugal for the perfect example of good implementation of all these important principles and practices. A great emphasis was put of the crucial role of education of all the staff, volunteers and participants before and during the event, which is an excellent formula for the present and future success of sustainability goals in sports events.

 

More information and resources on sustainability in sport can be found at: greensportshub.eu/green-sports-resources