World Sailing Wins GAISF Award
World Sailing has fortified its place as a pioneer in the global movement towards a more sustainable future. The Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) acknowledged World Sailing at the General Assembly in early November 2020. There the GAISF awarded World Sailing with the inaugural GAISF Sustainability Award for the thus far highly successful World Sailing Sustainability Agenda 2030.
Also recognized alongside World Sailing, was the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and World Rugby.
Introducing the Sustainability Agenda 2030
World Sailing was awarded for its remarkable sustainability agenda, which the organization envisions will be realized over the next ten years. The agenda outlines the planned efforts from the sailing industry towards the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals. The goal is to create a global legacy of sustainability that will stretch from local sailing clubs to exclusive competitions.
Working Towards a Brighter Future For All
World Sailing has launched several innovative projects to honor its commitment to sustainability. One is a project geared to encourage sailors and sailing organizations to move away from combustion engines. World Sailing is working with the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee on this.
Another initiative involves eliminating thousands upon thousands of single-use plastic bottles from sailing events.
World Sailing is also working on a far-reaching Sustainability Education Program, which tackles pertinent topics such as biodiversity and climate change. The goal is to help the sailing community gain the knowledge needed to impact the world we live in positively.
Of the 56 goals in the Sustainability Agenda 2030, 13 have already been completed, and a further 25 are underway.
The World Needs Leaders in Sustainability
Head of Sustainability at World Sailing, Dan Reading, expressed his delight about the organization’s recognition. He thanked sponsors and strategic partners for their support in the achievement’s World Sailing has made and mentioned that the award is a welcome motivation to achieve sustainability targets.
GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli said that sports organizations must continue to take responsibility for the planet’s future, where all sports occur. Chiulli stated, “GAISF knew it was our duty to shine a spotlight on the incredible efforts of our Members in actively contributing to a more sustainable future.”
Introducing GAISF
Launched in 1967, GAISF is the driving force behind the international sports movement and its members and observers, including non-Olympic and Olympic sports organizations. GAISF has 125 members and acts as an umbrella organization for International Sport. The GAISF launched the Sustainability Award in 2019 to encourage global sports federations to use their platforms to promote sustainability and combat climate change.
For more information on World Sailing’s sustainability initiatives:
https://www.sailing.org/about/Sustainability.php.