Creating a sustainability vision for snowsport

Snowsports, of course, are feeling the impact of climate change more keenly than other sports. Some studies have shown that the Alps could lose up to 70% of their yearly snow cover by 2100 – placing huge question marks against the futures of a number of sports.

Biathlon is one of those sports. Indeed Europe’s Alpine region is the global epicentre of the sport.

But, instead of turning a blind eye and accepting its fate, the sport’s governing body – the International Biathlon Union – has decided to do everything in its power to make sure it will be part of the solution to climate change and futureproof the pastime. 

In this week’s podcast, Riikka Rakic, the snowsport and sustainability professional and IBU senior project manager, talks us through the federation’s newly-unveiled 10-year sustainability strategy, and explains:

• What international sports federations, particularly snowsports, need to do to make climate action a priority
• How she helped the International Biathlon Union develop a long-term sustainability vision
• Why fossil fuel-free events need to be the next big objective for sports organisations