Environment sustainability is at the forefront of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup in Ivrea.
The Developing Environmental Circular Knowledge (DECK) project is being put into action by the Italian Canoe Federation (FICK) during the event running from September 12 to 15.
The experimental application phase of the Sustainability Rafting Tool (STR), which looks to measure the environmental sustainability of canoeing events, has been carried out at the World Cup.
It is part of the DECK project which is being co-funded by the European Union through its Erasmus + Sport programme.
Activities in Ivrea are being led by the FICK, represented by Anna Merlini, together with Professor Tiberio Daddi of the Institute of Management of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa.
The International Canoe Federation is working in collaboration with FICK and the Institute of Management of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies as well as several other sporting institutions including the National Federations of Croatia, Greece and Slovenia and the School of Sport and Health.
On Friday, interviews were conducted with key officials within the Host Organising Committee, athletes, staff and technicians to assess the degree of sustainability of the event from an environmental point of view.
Organisers have pledged to go completely plastic free with the elimination of disposable containers and cups and the installation of the water house in order to discourage the use of plastic bottles.
Around 2,000 water bottles made of 100 per cent recycled plastic have been made available by the FICK to promote the conscious use of materials, thus avoiding unnecessary waste.
Friday also saw around 900 youngsters from local schools visit the Ivrea Canoe Stadium to get to know the disciplines of slalom and rafting and cheer on the athletes competing in the heats of the C1.
“Once again, the world of canoeing and paddle sports have proved to be an excellent sounding board to spread a message of activism and hope for the environment to the new generations,” a statement from the FICK read.
The DECK project will hold its midterm conference in Metkovic, Croatia on September 18 when the life cycle assessment reports and best practice guidelines will be presented including the study conducted during the competitions held in Ivrea.
Last month, the DECK project was chosen as one of the finalists for the International Olympic Committee Climate Action Awards 2024.
The names of the winners of this year’s awards will be announced during UN Climate Week, between September 22 and 29.
For more information about the DECK project, click here.
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