World Taekwondo claims internal carbon neutrality

Covering 2022-2024, the Sustainability Report provides an overview of the organisation’s progress in accordance with its Sustainability Strategy, which was published in 2022. World Taekwondo achieved carbon neutrality for its internal operations in 2022 and 2023 through One Carbon World, following an assessment of its carbon footprint across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. 

The external assessments will continue to be undertaken biennially, with the next one – scheduled for this year – to include 2024.

“We are deeply committed to embedding sustainability into the heart of taekwondo. This report not only reflects our achievements but also sets the groundwork for the years to come,” said World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo.

“With the continued dedication of our taekwondo family worldwide, we are poised to create a sustainable and resilient future for the sport.”

During the 2022-24 period, World Taekwondo also became a signatory for the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) Sport for Climate Action, as well as the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Sports for Nature Framework.

The governing body also reported that it had partially or fully achieved 36% of its strategic objectives, and that 30% of its planned sustainability activities had been started or completed. World Taekwondo’s objectives span three key focus areas: diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I); community, health and wellbeing; and environmental sustainability. 

Across diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) the body has achieved its goal to establish a governance system with responsibilities for sustainability management priorities, while it has begun working on areas monitoring internal and external communication to ensure inclusive messaging; demonstrating its community involvement across all World Taekwondo events; and ensuring a balanced gender ratio at World Taekwondo Council and Committee level.

Additional environmental highlights include working closely with event organisers to introduce sustainability clauses in host contracts. World Taekwondo is also co-developing a comprehensive, sustainable event checklist with guidelines to ensure organisers are equipped to measure and reduce their environmental impact.

Health and wellbeing have also been a strategic focus for World Taekwondo. The body has worked to conduct activities in partnership with an advisory group, while it has begun creating and implementing a mental health strategy that considers the risks and opportunities presented by the sport.

As part of its mission to be more sustainable, World Taekwondo has introduced the Sustainability Awards, which recognise the contributions made by member national associations to be more climate conscious and socially active.

Image: Pixabay

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