The International Federation of Sport Climbing -IFSC- has reported a 23% reduction in its carbon footprint for the year 2024, compared with 2023. The figure, shared with the United Nations Sport for Climate Action (-4CA- initiative, marks continued progress in the organisation’s environmental management and reinforces sustainability as a core pillar of its operational strategy.
The annual report submitted to the UN highlights that the implementation of the IFSC sustainability guidelines has contributed to lowering emissions related to travel, logistics, and daily operations. These measures, driven by the sustainability commission established in 2023, strengthen a data-based and standardised approach across all areas of the federation.
Key factors behind the IFSC’s emission reduction
According to the federation, a review of international travel, more efficient material transport, and improved energy management in administrative offices were decisive elements. “The results confirm that collective decisions can transform the way we operate within international sport,” said an IFSC spokesperson in an official statement.
In collaboration with its long-time partner EP, the federation is developing an environmental calculation tool to assess the impact of event infrastructures —including climbing walls, stages, and holds. The aim is to provide local organising committees with a consistent method to evaluate and reduce event-related emissions.
Comparable initiatives across international federations
The IFSC’s efforts are part of a broader sustainability movement among international sports organisations. World Athletics continues to pursue a strategy to cut its emissions by 10% each year, targeting carbon neutrality by 2030. Similarly, World Rugby released its first sustainability report this year, including emissions data across all three scopes of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) was recently recognised with the Sport Positive Award for developing a CO₂ measurement system for winter events, while UEFA has introduced a carbon footprint calculator for clubs and federations, reinforcing accountability in the European sports sector.
Next steps for the IFSC
In previous years, the IFSC had already implemented offset programmes through certified projects with ‘myclimate’. However, the current strategy focuses more on direct emission reductions than on compensation mechanisms, with special emphasis on international event management and collaboration with national federations.
The sustainability commission’s next actions include gradually applying the new measurement tool across the IFSC World Cup Series and publishing updated results in the 2025 report. “We want each host venue to be able to measure and improve its impact, ensuring consistency throughout the structure of sport climbing,” added official federation sources.
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