The XXVI ANOC General Assembly Seoul 2022 today approved the ANOC Sustainability Plan and Sustainability Pledge which commits the organisation to achieve a number of key targets as well as support NOCs develop their own sustainability initiatives.

As part of the Sustainability Pledge and as a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), ANOC has committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2040. ANOC will increase measurement and transparency to monitor its annual emissions and ensure sustainability is incorporated into its procurement process for events and day-to-day suppliers. In addition, ANOC has committed to supporting NOCs by equipping them with sustainability tools, knowledge and best practices.

To strengthen in this regard, ANOC announced a partnership with The Toolbox – founded by the 11th Hour Racing Team. The partnership will provide NOCs with full access to an eight-step framework designed to enable NOCs to create and implement sustainability programmes aligned with recognised standards. The Toolbox is available to NOCs in English, French and Spanish and can be accessed here. The Toolbox will present a series of practical webinars to support NOCs to deliver against the commitments of the Sports for Climate Action framework.

ANOC also announced that it has joined the United Nations Environment Programme’s Clean Seas Campaign which aims to address the issue of marine litter. ANOC has confirmed its commitment to the ‘Partner Values of Clean Seas’ through pledging to execute planned activities that promote the Clean Seas Campaign and its values and inspire through example. ANOC will apply this commitment to the hosting of the ANOC World Beach Games.

ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg said:

“The approval of our Sustainability Plan and Pledge will ensure sustainability is integrated into everything we do at ANOC and create a framework for how we can better support NOCs. As a key player in the Olympic Movement, NOCs must take their share of the responsibility to promote positive change, both regarding the protection of our planet but also within human relations. Our partnerships with The Toolbox and Clean Seas, demonstrate our commitment to assisting the NOCs by sharing best-practice, but also by providing the tools which will facilitate and support NOCs deliver on their sustainability initiatives.”

As last year, the XXVI ANOC General Assembly will be carbon neutral and the delegate bags and gifts have been sustainably sourced.