IWF adheres to the “Sports for Nature” programme
The IWF recently became one of the 48 sports organisations adhering to the “Sports for Nature” programme, an initiative aimed at safeguarding nature, while contributing to national and global biodiversity goals. Under this framework, our International Federation assumes its responsibility towards the adoption of measurable actions for the protection of nature.
“Sports for Nature” is a joint initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Olympic Committee, United Nations Environment Programme, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Sails of Change. On December 2022, was signed the first “Sports for Nature Framework” at the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties in Montreal, with an initial group of 23 signatories, Presently, 48 sports – of all sizes and in all geographies – are supporting the initiative and are committed to report on their progress annually. This historic agreement supports the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and calls on all actors in society to develop and communicate their commitments.
Florian Sperl, IWF Executive Board member, is managing the implementation of this project within our Federation: “We are fully committed to becoming a signatory of the Sports for Nature Framework and adhering to its principles. As an indoor sport, we have realised that the deterioration of nature and climate impacts us, and we recognise the urgent need for sport to take action in protecting and enhancing nature. As a sport, we depend on a healthy environment for training as well as competition, and we are committed to work deeper on this important topic.”
Mohammed Jalood, the IWF President, also highlights the importance of this initiative: “As a world governing body of such a global Sport, we have also a social responsibility towards the environment in which our competitions and actions take place. In a planet marked by so many challenges, namely in terms of climate change and nature protection, Sport must play its part and contribute to these essential matters. All the efforts are precious to this so noble cause – and we are proud of being part of it!”
