The eighth workshop of the Sustainability Accelerator program of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) brought together 46 participants from National Olympic Committees from all continents. The session, led by sustainability expert Robin Parmelin, founder of EcoSports, focused on a key pillar of sustainability in sport: policy implementation.
The workshop provided NOCs with practical tools to transform their sustainability ideas into concrete action frameworks, aligned with global standards such as the Olympic Agenda 2020+5. During the session, strategies were explored to design and integrate effective policies that reflect the unique values and objectives of each committee.
Policies in sports sustainability
One of the main themes of the workshop was the fundamental role of policies in sustainability. According to Parmelin, “policies help turn the sustainability of a project into practice.” Participants learned how policies provide clarity, build credibility, support operational integration, and align NOCs with the International Olympic Committee’s sustainability agenda.
In addition, it was emphasized that a well-designed policy should include a clear vision, defined values, specific roles, measurable objectives, and robust reporting mechanisms. These elements are essential to ensure that policies are not only aspirational, but also practical and effective.
Examples of successful policy implementation
During the workshop, success stories in sustainability in sport were shared, including examples from the IOC and the Olympic Committees of Portugal, Finland, and Great Britain. These experiences demonstrated how NOCs have adapted their strategies to local contexts while maintaining alignment with global standards.
For example, the Finnish Olympic Committee stood out for its focus on reducing carbon emissions at sporting events, while the British Olympic Committee presented initiatives to promote the circular economy in its operations. These cases served as inspiration for participants, showing how policies can be powerful tools for change.
The next workshop of ANOC’s Sustainability Accelerator program is scheduled for this coming September, continuing the organization’s commitment to supporting NOCs on their path to a more sustainable future.
