Bold ambition to make FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 the most sustainable edition

July 25, 2022

The Local Organising Committee of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 has a bold ambition to make the event the most sustainable edition since its inception in 1953.

With the support of FIBA and the Australian Government, the LOC is committed to a number of initiatives, aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, guided by the Sports for Climate Action Framework created by the UN, and designed around three focus areas:

Reducing Environmental Impact: including the push for public transport, with free train travel courtesy of the NSW Government; travel & ticket emissions’ off-set opportunities for teams/spectators, and correct recycling/waste options at venues.
Responsible sourcing: including using local suppliers where possible, using recyclable materials, and supporting suppliers who source responsibly.
Inspire and educate: including highlighting the importance of sustainability to participants, stakeholders and fans, creating a blueprint for future events and delivering a legacy program that empowers and engages women and girls.

A signatory to The Cool Down (Frontrunners) movement, an organisation working with athletes to protect the future of the planet, and FWBWC22 Playmaker, Marianna Tolo (pictured above) said it was everyone’s responsibility to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Tolo shared “as an athlete, it can be easy to get caught in a bubble that centres around your performance on a court or field, but whether you’re an athlete, builder, doctor, teacher, parent, or from any walk of life, we all have a collective responsibility for the environment.

“The prospect of being able to play in a World Cup on home soil is such an exciting one as an athlete, but it makes me extra proud to know the event is committed to playing its role in the future of our planet, a cause well beyond the world of sport.”

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Chief Executive Melissa King said that while a carbon neutrality result may not be guaranteed, the organisation and its partners are committed to doing everything in its power to reduce impact.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting such an inspiring event in Sydney, and to be welcoming some of the world’s best basketballers to our backyard this September, but we’re also acutely aware of the impact hosting these major events can have on the environment,” King said.

“So, along with holding a world-class event, we’re also pledging to keep sustainability front of mind in all of our activities and decision-making, as well as actively rolling out our Sustainability Program, to do our part to minimise our impact.

“We are also proud that our commitment to this area will leave a lasting legacy for the sports and events industry in Australia courtesy of the development of a Blueprint Sustainability Framework, which will be developed using learnings from the program for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.”

Fans and spectators can learn more about the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 sustainability initiatives, including tips on how they can support them, here.

The Sustainability Program is supported by the Australian Government as part of their overall grant for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.

Image top: Opals player Marianna Tolo in Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park

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