The project “Carbon Neutral Sports Club Network” has made great progress toward encouraging environmental sustainability in the sports industry as we get closer to the end of 2024. The initiative, which started with the initial objective of lowering the carbon footprint of sports teams globally, has seen a number of noteworthy achievements and events that are influencing the direction of greener sports in the future.
The year started with an important mid-term evaluation meeting on February 8, 2024 in Sakarya, Turkey. The project consortium gathered during this meeting to discuss the “Climate Footprint Measurement Application,” which was created by the ‘Educons University Faculty of Environmental Protection’, and to evaluate the progress that has been done thus far. The application is an essential tool for tracking and controlling the carbon emissions of participating clubs is this application, and it has alreaady been used by thirty sports clubs in Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Greece, and Bulgaria.
During the meeting, every partner had the opportunity to update the other on their progress, showcasing the tasks and actions they had taken to move the project forward. ‘Educons University’ showcased the application’s accomplishments, stressing how it supports sports clubs in measuring and offsetting their carbon emissions through a variety of eco-friendly initiatives. This meeting set the stage for the next phases of the project, ensuring that all partners were aligned with the project’s goals.
Maintaining the momentum from the last meeting, the consortium met again on June 24–25, 2024, in Sofia, Bulgaria, for a milestone meeting that represented yet another important advancement for the “Carbon Neutral Sports Clubs Network”. All of the partners came together for this meeting to talk about the initiative’s current state and future directions. The project coordinator, ‘KARGENC CLUB’ went over the major accomplishments made thus far at the Sofia conference, such as the effective launch of the “C ZERO Sport Clubs app,” which is currently accessible on the Google Play Store. Partners discussed their experiences over the last seven months, with a particular emphasis on training initiatives, environmentally friendly events, and the effect these have had on lowering sports teams’ carbon footprints.
The meeting also featured a detailed discussion on the vision, mission, and ethical values of the Carbon Neutral Sports Clubs Network. The requirements for Gold, Silver, and Classic membership levels, as well as the green activities that must be completed, were specified, ensuring that all sports clubs in the network follow these guidelines. Plans for yearly conferences, webinars, and the development of educational resources for eco-design events were among the sustainability approaches that were also addressed.
Looking ahead, several key events are planned that will further advance the network’s mission. On July 15, 2024, a new website and promotional video were launched to enhance the network’s visibility and outreach. These tools have already begun to play a crucial role in promoting the network’s activities and encouraging more sports clubs to join the movement. Currently, a photo contest is underway, with a deadline of September 30, 2024. This contest aims to showcase your eco-friendly sport activities and build a community of a sustainable sports world.
Afterwards, the network will be on display at COP-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11–22, 2024, where it will interact with global stakeholders and demonstrate its initiatives to encourage environmental sustainability in sports. The final event, scheduled for December 4-5, 2024, in Milan, Italy, will be a gathering of representatives from stakeholders, project teams, and local sports clubs to discuss the project’s accomplishments and future plans. It will be an important day to celebrate the successes and establish the plan of action for the future.
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