PARIS, June 4, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Winter sports’ governing body has long come
under fire for its impact on the environment, but on Wednesday the
international ski federation (FIS) announced that it would aim to achieve
climate neutrality for their own organisation and their events by 2030.
“FIS will work with international experts to generate a Climate Action
Guidelines document, aiming at making snow sports climate neutral and
sustainable,” FIS said in a statement after its council approved the 2020
Mainau Manifesto on the responsibility of snow sports towards nature and
sustainability.
The body will also “actively advocate for the reduction of greenhouse-gas
emissions through legislative and regulatory measures in all its member
countries”.
FIS has been regularly criticised, notably in its governance of alpine
skiing, over both the lack of a synchronised calendar for men and women and
the sheer number of events in different countries.
It means athletes, their coaches and support staff are left criss-crossing
continents to compete in a sport whose very future is theoretically under
threat from global warming.
“Despite the fact that snow sports are rooted in nature appreciation and
are greatly popular, they, like many other human activities, depend on the use
of natural resources,” FIS said.
“Snow sports contribute to global warming by their carbon footprint. Due to
their nature as outdoor activities, snow sports are more visibly affected by
climate change than other sports.”
The Switzerland-based FIS is responsible for the Olympic disciplines of
alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, nordic combined, freestyle
skiing and snowboarding.