FIS and Lahti2017 took on the challenge of sustainable solutions

Lahti2017 organizers took sustainability issues of the World Championships seriously and worked intensely to minimize the negative environmental impacts of the event and enhanced positive ecological, cultural and social effect. Sustainability issues like climate change and natural resource scarcity place a significant threat to future generations’ ability to enjoy winter sports and compete in international championships. Lahti2017 organizers took sustainability issues of the World Championships seriously and worked intensely to minimize the negative environmental impacts of the event and enhanced positive ecological, cultural and social effect.

Sustainability slogan of Lahti2017 World Championships is ‘Not for 10 days, but for the next 100 years’ which refers to how our actions today impact the future.

Secretary General of Lahti2017 Janne Leskinen pointed:

“We have an opportunity to enhance sustainability in two ways: First by setting an example of how environmentally sustainable events are organized and two by influencing our stakeholders. Sustainability issues should be already in the negations and in the contracts with the partners.”

This was the core message on Friday 3rd of March when Lahti2017 and partners – Finnish Olympic Committee, Sitra (the Finnish Innovation Fund), Stora Enso and Protect Our Winters Finland – met with the International Ski Federation (FIS) to discuss sustainability in winter sports.

Secretary General of FIS Sarah Lewis stated that:

“FIS has a strong background in developing sustainability. It’s great to communicate these issues and it’s something we should promote more.”

Lahti2017 Environmental Manager Maarit Virtanen agrees:

“It is very important to us that the city of Lahti is green by nature and our active partner, for example by providing free public transport to our 2 700 volunteers and installing solar panels on the roof of the main stadium. Also, our presenting sponsor Stora Enso has put environmental solutions in the core of the partnership with us.”

All attendees agreed that athletes have power to engage wider audience and decision makers, and in communicating sustainability telling a story is a key. As President of Protect Our Winters Niklas Kaskeala can tell:

“We have engaged the athletes at the Lahti2017 to tell the importance of saving winters from climate change. Winters are essential for athletes and their fans. Climate change is a threat to all of our lifestyles, not just the athletes.”

The Lahti2017 Nordic World Ski Championships was awarded EcoCompass environmental certificate on 24th of February 2017.

For more information, please contact:

Lahti2017, Secretary General Janne Leskinen, +358 400 300 930
Lahti2017, Environmental Manager Maarit Virtanen, +358 44 708 1260
Sitra, Leading Specialist, Circular Economy Nani Pajunen, +358 50 301 0742
Protect our Winters Finland, Chairman Niklas Kaskeala, +358 50 5866422