Environment & Sustainability

The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Schladming 2013 will be the most important major sports event in Austria in the next few years – and the one with most international media interest since the UEFA EURO 2008™.
The success of mega events and sports events is not only based on perfect organization, but also determined by the way they are realized: in a ecological and sustainable way so that they have an positive impact on the region or the host country in the long run.

The Austrian Ski Federation as the host of the World Ski Championships 2013 is fully aware of this responsibility, and together with the region of Schladming, the Province of Styria and the Republic of Austria will do its best to make sure the Championships will be sustainable in the sense of the best contribution possible to climate protection and sustainable development. In Schladming it is also intended to give new impulses to the future of Austrian skiing.

Today’s children are the future of skiing; this is why we want them to be involved in the World Ski Championships. We stand for a conscientious use of natural resources. Acting in a positive and responsible way can only happen when ecology and sustainability are taken into consideration.

We actively live Austrian hospitality and Styrian cordiality. The traditional culture and lifestyle of the region can be found in all areas. We stand for teamwork and respectful interaction. All employees and volunteers are important factors and valuable for the World Ski Championships.

To reach all of this, we pursue three main aims that we want to realize by taking out concrete measures.

1. Setting a high environmental standard by waste avoidance and resource management

Aims:

• Consideration of “G’scheit feiern”, the environmental concept for major events by the Province of Styria
• “Zero Waste” as guiding theme
• Economical resource management in all areas

Initiated measures and projects so far:

• Waste avoidance and separate waste collection in all areas of the event organization
• Use of reusable tableware in all catering areas
• Use of compostable disposable tableware in all public areas
• Use of an easy waste collection system to separate the waste into packaging and residual waste (2 container bag system), waste sorting and further recycling will take place at AVA-Aich
• Cooperation with regional partners (“World Championships of short ways”)
• Reduction of potable water use due to economical water installations

2. Mobility – energy and climate prevention

Aims:

• Establishment of Schladming as a model region
• Best energy standards possible in all World Championships buildings
• Ecological transportation opportunities before, during and after the Championships – high percentage of public transport with the audience
• Long-term power saving measures in public buildings, tourism and transportation facilities

Initiated measures and projects so far:

• Model region Schladming for energy competence in tourism
• Appointment of a sustainability coordinator for renewable energy in the region of Schladming
• Biomass heating nets tend the surrounding municipalities
• Congress Center Schladming with environmentally friendly facilities, solar power system, grey water usage and snow water cooling system
• Newly built clarification plant uses its own energy and produces biogas
• Illumination system Schladming with motion sensors to improve energy efficiency
• Improvement of the required transport infrastructure in the field of public short-distance traffic and regional rail transport
• Adaption of the train station Schladming
• Establishment of Park & Ride and Bike & Ride facilities
• Establishment of charging stations and supply of electronic bikes and electronic mopeds

3. Sensitization, awareness raising and social responsibility

Aims:

• Participation and future development
• Setting positive impulses for tourism and the regional economy
• Involvement of the youth in the World Ski Championships
• Promoting culture and winter sports

Initiated measures and projects so far:

• Establishment of a regional basket of goods
• Local Agenda 21 civil participation processes
• Plattform Schladming 2030 GmbH for the further economic, ecological and social development after the World Championships 2013
• Austrian Ski Federation Youth Concept to make the World Championships attractive for young people
• Networking meeting of 24 schools for the active participation in the World Championships
  Projects in the areas of environment, economy, arts and culture, development of personality and sport
• Appointment of youth journalists
  active participation and cooperation from the youth’s point of view, use of new media
• Presentation of the projects during the World Championships
• Professional PR and press work for these measures and projects

The Austrian Ski Federation as the host of the World Ski Championships 2013 in Schladming will continue working on and realizing the sustainability concept of the World Championships 2013 with the help from all relevant persons and institutions involved and partners. During the pre-Championships phase (World Cup finale in March 2012) it will be presented in public.