As the city of Chisinau prepares to host the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships, the Local Organizing Committee and the European Weightlifting Federation have been actively engaged in devising innovative and sustainable strategies to make a positive contribution to the natural environment. To minimize the ecological footprint of the event, LOC proposed to EWF a range of environmentally friendly initiatives. Firstly, the distribution of disposable plastic bottles to be replaced by reusable water bottles made from recycled plastic. Secondly, the use of printed documents to significantly reduced, with digital alternatives provided for informational materials, such as the start book, training schedule, and transport schedule. The idea is to use QR codes across the competition venue, training hall, and all hotels to offer instant access to important event information. Building upon these efforts, EWF President Antonio Conflitti, along with IWF Manager for the Sustainability Program, Florian Sperl, and EWF Vice President Patrick Fassot, reached out to the Sports for Nature Framework (S4N) for guidance on implementing nature-positive actions. This collaboration led to an invitation for EWF to become a signatory to the Sports for Nature Framework.
Sports for Nature is a joint initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Olympic Committee, United Nations Environment Programme, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. It aims to deliver transformative action for nature across sports, by 2030 and beyond, enabling sports to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration. It provides a game plan for sports — at all levels — to accelerate and inspire others to take action for nature.
S4N is inviting sports organizations to work toward four principles and connected goals that will help them improve their natural path.
Principle 1: Protect nature and avoid damage to natural habitats and species
Principle 2: Restore and regenerate nature wherever possible
Principle 3: Understand and reduce risks to nature in your supply chains
Principle 4: Educate and inspire positive action for nature across and beyond sport
Among the signatories are the IOC, ANOC, FISU, IWF, UCI, ITTF, FISA, ICF, FIA, European Aquatics, and numerous more national Olympic committees and sports organizations.
More information can be found at: https://sportsfornature.org/


