Fifth Saarland Sustainability Conference emphasizes sports as a key aspect for sustainability
Saarbrücken, Germany - The fifth annual sustainability conference of Saarland, held at the Hermann-Neuberger-Sportschool on September 12, 2023, focused on the topic "Training Camp Sustainability." Prominent figures, including Minister of the Environment Petra Berg, Minister of Sports Reinhold Jost, and Olympic champion Britta Steffen, as well as experts and representatives from Saarland's sports community, gathered to discuss sustainable development in sports.
Petra Berg, Saarland's Minister of the Environment, highlighted the need for the region's sports landscape to adapt to modern times by developing sustainably. The high density of sports clubs in Saarland, compared to other federal states, points to significant potential for promoting sustainable practices and implementing the United Nations' 17 global sustainability goals as outlined in Agenda 2030.
Reinhold Jost, the Minister of Sports, stressed the importance of integrating sustainability across all sports sectors, encompassing both recreational and elite sports. He emphasized, "This is a team project, and we are all part of this team."
Britta Steffen, an Olympic champion and sustainability advocate, underscored the role sports clubs can play in teaching resource responsibility and incorporating sustainability into daily life, especially for young people.
Two planned projects, the result of collaboration between the state government, the Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sports, and the Saarland Sports Association (LSVS), represent noteworthy outcomes from the conference. The first project aims to align the sports development goals with global sustainability objectives. The second initiative involves implementing a "sustainability check" for sports clubs, aiming to foster sustainability in recreational sports within the region and provide practical guidance for sustainable club activities.
Organized in conjunction with RENN.west, LSVS, and the Ministry of the Interior, the conference was not only a venue for discussions but also a showcase for practical sustainability examples from various sports clubs. The conference demonstrates Saarland's commitment to a green and forward-thinking development, further emphasizing the region's dedication to promoting and implementing sustainability initiatives in its sports clubs.
Sports clubs in Saarland are actively taking steps to promote sustainability by raising awareness and education, investing in green infrastructure and energy efficiency, managing events sustainably, collaborating through umbrella organizations, engaging youth, and leveraging funding opportunities for sustainable projects. This collective effort serves to establish a responsible and future-oriented sports culture in the region, contributing to greater social and environmental responsibility.
- Environmental science and sustainable living are becoming increasingly significant in Saarland's sports clubs as they strive to meet the United Nations' 17 global sustainability goals set out in Agenda 2030, by adopting sustainable practices and principles.
- The "sustainability check" initiative, a collaboration between the state government, the Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sports, and the Saarland Sports Association (LSVS), aims to promote sustainability in recreational sports clubs by providing practical guidance for eco-friendly activities.
- The Saarland Sports Association (LSVS) and its partner organizations are also working towards aligning sports development goals with global sustainability objectives, emphasizing the role of sports clubs in climate-change mitigation and environmental-science education, particularly among the younger generation.
