Sunday, 30 July 2023: As South Africa welcomes teams and supporters from around the world for the Netball World Cup 2023 (NWC2023), organisers have declared their commitment to hosting a low-carbon tournament.
Basing the tournament in Africa for the first time, and doing it in a way that follows global best practice in responsible and low-carbon event management, presents a positive outlook for netball and its place in a changing world, notes Tournament Director Priscilla Masisi.
“In the same way that our athletes inspire the next generation of players with their individual agility and teamwork, we hope that the NWC2023 will help motivate and inspire everyone who participates in, supports and works with the tournament to pivot for the planet,” she adds.
The NWC2023 is set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 28th July to 6th August, bringing together 16 teams from across the globe.
In its endeavour to host a low-carbon event the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is striving to implement a multi-faceted approach that revolves around 10 sustainability focus areas:
- GHG emissions reduction
- Resource efficiency
- Waste management
- Sustainable procurement
- Sustainable transport
- Responsible tourism and accommodation
- Positive social impact
- Stakeholder engagement
- Monitoring and reporting
- Positive legacy.
World Netball CEO Clare Briegal affirms World Netball’s support for this sustainable approach: “One of our core values is to ‘Inspire’, to use the power of netball to change lives and create a better world. We are in no doubt that urgent action is needed to reduce the impact of climate change.
“Sustainability goes hand in hand with accepting responsibility for our impact. As such, it is vital to draw core strategic work down into your everyday decisions and actions. In our case, World Netball opted to move into a Carbon Neutral ‘Net Zero’ rated office building, buy local and roll out a cycle to work scheme. Furthermore our Board is now meeting regularly by zoom reducing the number of international flights taken each year by two thirds.
“We are therefore pleased with and excited about the drive for a sustainable and low-carbon event. We look forward to seeing how the organisers, athletes and supporters will show practical ways in which they too pivot for the planet.”
Responsible event management firstly requires reducing the event’s carbon footprint and negative environmental impact through identifying the emission sources and seeing which sources can be targeted with clear, implementable interventions.
In preparation for NWC2023, the LOC compiled a first pass carbon footprint to inform the most appropriate and effective interventions across the 10 sustainability focus areas and to test the boundaries of the event’s carbon footprint. Careful monitoring and measurement enables the LOC to calculate the amount of carbon emissions that is being generated through hosting the tournament on local soil.
The sustainability measures undertaken as part of hosting a responsible, low-carbon event is outlined in the Netball World Cup 2023 Sustainability Statement. The location at the CTICC sets the tone, as the facility is well equipped for hosting green events, starting with more efficient use of resources such as water and energy. The aim is to divert at least 80% of waste generated from landfill through composting and recycling across the CTICC and the additional two training venues at the University of Cape Town and Wynberg Military Sports Stadia.
Everyone involved in the tournament – players, officials, supporters, stakeholders and suppliers – are encouraged to sign the individual pledge. This call to #pivot4planet plays on the fast changes in direction without losing momentum that is a hallmark of the sport and will be amplified by ambassadors. The aim is to inspire individuals to adopt and implement practices of resource efficiency and environmental responsibility beyond the tournament itself.
The organisers hope that, as part of its legacy, the carbon footprint and impact report will serve as a baseline for future international netball tournaments, as part of its legacy, and in the interest of netball as a sport for today and tomorrow.
Note to editors:
A ‘low-carbon’ event is one designed, organised and executed to reduce GHG emissions. The carbon footprint needs to be measured, and effort should be made towards offsetting the carbon emissions associated with the event.
Attachments:
Sustainability Statement
Pledge
Images:
Greening logo
Portraits of Priscilla Masisi, NWC2023 tournament director, and Clare Briegal, World Netball CEO.
ENDS
FREE TO USE PICTURE
Greening Logo
Portraits of Priscilla Masisi, NWC2023 Tournament Director, and Clare Briegal, World Netball CEO.
For more information, members of the media should contact the following:
Netball World Cup 2023: Bruce Davidson media@nwc2023.org.za
World Netball: Emily Whiteside Emily.whiteside@worldnetball.sport
Sophie Reynolds Sophie.reynolds@worldnetball.spor