News article
International Hockey Federation joins UN’s Sports for Climate Action Framework
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has joined the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) ‘Sports for Climate Action Framework’.
Building on its Sustainability Strategy that was launched last year, FIH’s commitment was signed by President Tayyab Ikram, in the presence of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at the IOC Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Joining the Sports for Climate Action Framework means that organisations are committed to supporting its mission of driving the sports sector towards net-zero immersions by 2050, in line with a 1.5°C pathway.
FIH President Ikram said: “As an organisation that firmly believes in the power of sport to act as a catalyst for positive change in society, FIH fully supports the principles enshrined in the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. We are determined to make a difference to protect the environment and enhance the climate action agenda amongst all hockey stakeholders. This has become a core business for sports, and for hockey in particular.”
The hockey governing body has committed to setting an interim and long-term emissions reduction target; consistently measuring and publicly disclosing its annual climate footprint and emissions reductions progress; submitting a concrete plan for reaching net zero emissions and communicating this commitment to its stakeholders and the public.
FIH has also committed to undertaking systemic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility; reducing overall climate impact; educating for climate action; promoting sustainable and responsible consumption, and advocating for climate action through communication.
Steps already taken by FIH include kicking off its carbon footprint measurement project with assistance from the IOC and its partner Deloitte.
The Paris 2024 Olympic field will be supplied by FIH partner Polytan and will be a carbon zero turf, with more than 60% of the artificial turf made out of materials from re-growable sugar cane. Watering the fields used in top level competitions will also end after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup being the first competition to be played on ‘dry turf’.
Image: Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash