Representatives of 30 nations attend first environmental sustainability training course

FIS has concluded the first edition of its environmental sustainability training course, open to members of National Ski Associations (NSAs) and Local Organizing Committees (LOCs), as well as FIS staff. Out of the total 251 participants, 143 were representatives of NSAs and LOCs, coming from 30 different countries, and 108 were members of FIS staff.  

Elaborated in partnership with sustainability consultant Ben Barrett, the two-hour sessions aimed to provide basic scientific information about climate change and environmental impact of human activities and provide a few practical examples and best practices, including some of the work that is being carried out through the FIS Impact Programme. 

The process of assembling the content of the training course was, in itself, a rich exercise involving some of the key stakeholders across the world of snow sports: over the course of months, a working group comprising representatives from FIS staff, NSAs, and LOCs, as well as athletes and sustainability experts, shared their views and concerns and agreed on what would be the most valuable format for the initiative. 

Upon completion of the course, to receive their certificates, participants were invited to fill in a pledge answering the question: “Which action(s) will you implement to help your organization be more environmentally sustainable?”  

“The results were very telling of how much interest there is within the snow sports ecosystem,” says FIS Sustainability Director Susanna Sieff.