Ahead of the championships, the Local Organising Committee published a comprehensive Sustainability Plan developed in partnership with Enovation Consulting. More than simply outlining environmental ambitions, the framework established measurable environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives designed not only to support the delivery of Rieti 2026 but also to create a benchmark for future European Athletics U18 Championships.

The vision was simple but ambitious:

“Deliver a climate-conscious, inclusive, and legacy-driven event.”

Embedding sustainability across the event

The Sustainability Plan reflected that philosophy across every aspect of event delivery.

Environmental priorities included measuring emissions from transport, reducing waste through digital ticketing and reusable materials, increasing plant-based food options, limiting single-use plastics and encouraging public transport and shared travel. Together, these measures recognised that operational decisions made before and during an event often determine its environmental footprint.

The social programme was equally comprehensive. Volunteers received sustainability training, accessibility and safeguarding were embedded into event planning, local schools participated in educational activities, and community organisations were identified to receive surplus food and sports equipment following the championships. Through its support for the Athletics For All initiative, Rieti also reinforced the role athletics can play in improving health, wellbeing and social inclusion beyond elite competition.

Environmental action built into event delivery

The plan translates that philosophy into a series of practical actions.

Waste data will be collected from every competition and training venue, with organisers targeting at least 30 per cent diversion from landfill, eliminating single-use plastics wherever possible and ensuring that no edible food waste is sent to landfill. At least 30 per cent of all menu options will be vegetarian or vegan, while reusable water bottles and refill stations will help reduce unnecessary plastic consumption.

Transport, typically one of the largest sources of emissions for sporting events, also receives significant attention. Free shuttle services will be provided for athletes and teams, shared transport will be encouraged, active travel promoted where possible and spectators directed towards public transport, with no on-site parking available.

A blueprint rather than a finish line

Whether every target set out in the Sustainability Plan was achieved will only become clear when the post-event sustainability report is published. However, the significance of Rieti extends beyond the individual results.

By establishing a governance framework, defining measurable targets and committing to transparent reporting, the championships have provided future organisers with a practical model rather than simply a collection of sustainability aspirations. That may prove to be the event’s most enduring legacy.

The next challenge for European Athletics

For World Athletics, currently ranked among the Top 50 most purposeful sports organisations in the GSS SPI Index, Rieti demonstrated how sustainability principles are increasingly being translated into event delivery.

For European Athletics, which currently sits just outside the Top 200, the championships represent an opportunity to build on that foundation. The Sustainability Plan demonstrates the kind of structured, evidence-led approach that the GSS SPI Index highlights. The next step is to embed those principles consistently across its wider portfolio of championships and, crucially, to publish the evidence that shows they are delivering measurable environmental and social outcomes.

Ultimately, the true success of Rieti 2026 will not be judged solely by the medals won on the track, but by whether it becomes the benchmark that future European Athletics events choose to follow. If the forthcoming sustainability report confirms that the ambitions set out before the championships were successfully delivered, Rieti may be remembered not simply as a successful youth championship, but as an important step forward in the evolution of sustainable event management within European athletics.