MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The organization of the Andorra 2023 Alpine Ski World Cup Finals, which will be held at the Grandvalira-Soldeu-El Tarter resort from March 13 to 19, has set itself the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 15 percent compared to the 2019 edition, reports in a statement.
To achieve this, constant control and monitoring of the emissions of the entire operation has been implemented in coordination with all those responsible for the event. Subsequently, the CO2 footprint will be offset by national projects or by the United Nations emissions offset platform.
This is provided for in the first axis of the WCF2023 Sustainability Plan, which aims to promote all actions to mitigate the impact that this type of event can have on the environment, and which strengthen the resort’s commitment to sustainable development and fight against climate change.
The Plan sets ambitious targets in terms of energy and water consumption, waste management, protection of the natural environment, mobility and social responsibility.
The actions it contains are aligned with the energy saving and sustainable growth policies promoted by the Government of Andorra and FEDA, and with global initiatives such as the United Nations ‘Race To Zero’ campaign, which supports projects with zero emissions and that promote sustainable and inclusive growth; and the Green Events of the International Ski Federation (FIS), a guide that promotes the organization of ski competitions with viable environmental policies.
Regarding energy, the goal set is to reduce kilowatt consumption by 10 percent compared to the end of 2019, thanks to the surveillance that will be implemented so that all offices and all collaborators apply energy efficiency measures.
In addition, all the energy that will be used will be of renewable origin, as certified by the FEDA ‘Llum Verda’ (‘green light’) seal that Grandvalira-ENSISA obtained last summer. In relation to the water footprint, it is expected to reduce water consumption by 10 percent compared to 4 years ago.
The production of cultivated snow has been adapted to the maximum to the needs thanks to the improvement in obtaining technical data and metrological forecasts.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Another objective is to improve the efficient management of waste by 15 percent compared to 2019. To achieve this, the use of packaging will be limited in all event venues and the production of paper advertising, the collection strategy will be improved and selection of waste in the arrival areas, the image of all the selection points will be unified and training aimed at restaurant employees and volunteers assigned to the different locations is being intensified.
In addition, to preserve the natural environment and biodiversity, apart from all the actions that are carried out on a day-to-day basis at the station, during the event a study will be carried out on the impact of the use of hardeners (salt and aniline) on competition tracks.
Emphasis will also be placed on compliance with legal limits on sound levels, with random checks at arrivals and parallel events.
Likewise, all the compensatory measures for the earthworks that have been carried out on the competition tracks have also been defined.
REDUCED MOBILITY
The new website ‘Government of Andorra-Compartir Cotxe’ should be a decisive tool to help reduce journeys by private vehicle as much as possible. For this reason, public transport from Andorra la Vella will be free for all spectators, shuttle buses will be enabled from Canillo and Grau Roig and priority will be given to the use of cable transport to access the competition stadiums.
The Sustainability Plan for the 2023 Finals not only addresses environmental issues, but also conceives sustainability as the need to act responsibly and inclusively in all areas of the organization of the event.
Thus, one of the objectives is universal accessibility, both from the point of view of information and mobility, to bring the event closer to people with disabilities or special support needs.
In this sense, the finals website is equipped with voice commands and color and font adjustments, available in more than 30 languages, and the event program is translated into four sign languages and is accessible from billboards, totems , press dossiers and all printed advertising.
On competition days, people with reduced mobility will have accessible paths to reach the World Cup Village area, the stands and their alternatives, and will have a team of volunteers at their disposal to ensure that their needs are met.
In addition, the organization will give spaces to the Village area so that various entities (Fundación Privada Nuestra Señora de Meritxell, Unicef Andorra and Go-SOS) can publicize their activity.
Finally, the Sustainability Plan also provides that the WCF2023 serve as a platform to boost the economic activity of small local producers.
For this reason, agreements have been established with agricultural producers and artisans in Andorra; local products will be incorporated into the diets for athletes, such as jams, sausages, cheeses, desserts and coffees; and meetings of local producers with the general public will be facilitated in the Village area, primarily in the country, but also in the Pyrenees.