ICF hails British Canoeing’s sustainability strategy

British Canoeing recently outlined its plans to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040 in its ‘Places we Paddle’ strategy.

This year’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at Lee Valley in London has been identified as a cornerstone of the plan.

The ‘Places we Paddle’ strategy from the governing body proposes five ambitions, including the control of British Canoeing’s carbon footprint; reducing its use of natural resources; promoting environmental protection; ensuring events deliver positive environmental change and improving British Canoeing’s business operations.

ICF vice-president Cecilia Farias said: “British Canoeing is showing the way in the global fight to reduce our sport’s carbon footprint. To make a significant and worthwhile impact will require a real team effort, involving our federations around the world. At the ICF we have set aggressive but achievable goals, so we would encourage other federations to follow the approach by British Canoeing.

“Change can be difficult, but our friends at British Canoeing have already shown their commitment through previous initiatives. The Places we Paddle strategy is ambitious, but it will make a real difference to the future of our planet.”

The World Championships, which are set to take place in September, will be utilised to create and share best practices for the future delivery of international events.

British Canoeing chair, Professor John Coyne, said: “The aggregate effect of individual action can be very powerful. Through positive action on climate change, we can help make our society more sustainable whilst growing paddlesport. Protecting and enhancing places to paddle can play a significant role in the wider challenge.

“We need to take urgent action as our environment is facing even greater threats than ever before. The climate crisis is dramatically harming the places we paddle. Hot and dry summers have seen extreme temperatures leading to low water levels and limited paddling in places, a lack of rain putting a huge strain on our precious wildlife.”

Coyne added: “Our environmental sustainability strategy will support, promote and build on the great work already done in the community and deliver a measurable impact for the future of paddlesport and indeed, our environment.”

Image: Razvan Chisu on Unsplash