The Sustainability Plan also aims for a 10% reduction in water and energy consumption, and includes measures to make the event universally accessible
The organisers of the Alpine Ski World Cup Finals Andorra 2023 have set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 15% compared to those of the World Cup Finals 2019. To achieve this, ongoing control and monitoring of the emissions of the entire operation has been put in place in collaboration with all those organising the event. Subsequently, the CO2 footprint will be offset by national projects or by the United Nations emissions compensation platform. This is anticipated in the first part of the Sustainability Plan of the WCF2023. It aims to maximise all the efforts to mitigate the impact that this type of events can have on the environment and affirms the station’s commitment to sustainable development and the fight against climate change. The Plan sets ambitious targets in terms of energy and water consumption, waste management, protection of the natural environment, transport and social responsibility. The action points it contains are in line with the energy saving and sustainable growth policies promoted by the Government of Andorra and FEDA (the Andorran Electric Power entity), and with global initiatives such as the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, supporting projects with zero emissions and that promote sustainable and inclusive growth; and the International Ski Federation’s Green Events, a guide that promotes the organisation of ski competitions with viable environmental policies. As for energy, the goal is to reduce kilowatt consumption by 10% compared to those of the 2019 finals, as a result of the monitoring that will be implemented to ensure that all sites and all people involved apply energy efficiency measures. In addition, all the energy used will be from renewable sources, as certified by FEDA’s Llum Verda (green light) seal that Grandvalira-ENSISA, as a pioneer in the country, was awarded last summer. The parapublic entity is one of the sponsors of the event.
Regarding the water footprint, water consumption is expected to be reduced by 10% compared to four years ago. Production of artificial snow has been adapted as much as possible to requirements through improved technical data collection and meteorological forecasting.
Another objective is for the improvement of waste management efficiency by 15% compared to WCF2019. To achieve this, the use of packaging in all venues of the event and production of paper-based advertising will be limited. The strategy for waste collection and sorting in the finish areas will be improved. The imagery shown on all waste sorting points will be consistent and training aimed at restaurant employees and volunteers assigned to different venues is being intensified. Additionally, to preserve the natural environment and biodiversity, separate from all the activities that are carried out in the day to day running of the ski station, a study will be carried out during the event on the impact the use of hardeners (salt and aniline) has on the competition courses. Emphasis will also be placed on complying with legal limits for sound levels, with random controls being performed at the finish areas and parallel events. In addition, all compensatory measures have also been outlined for the landscaping work that has been carried out on the competition courses. The new website Govern de Andorra - Compartir cotxe (Andorran government - Car sharing) will be a key tool in helping to reduce traffic.
As far as transport is concerned, the aim for these Finals is to minimise private vehicle use. For this reason, public transport from Andorra la Vella will be free for all spectators, shuttle buses will be running 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 Finals 2023 not only addresses environmental issues, but rather sees sustainability as the need to operate responsibly and inclusively in all areas of the organisation of the event. Thus, one of the objectives is universal accessibility, both in terms of information and logistics, to make the event more accessible to people with disabilities or with special support needs. To this end, the website for the Finals enables voice controls and colour and font setting adjustments and is available in more than 30 languages. The event program is translated into four sign languages and is accessible from advertising posters, displays, press kits and all printed advertising. For competition days, people with reduced mobility will have accessible paths to get them to the World Cup Village area, the stands and the alternative options. They will also have a team of volunteers at their disposal who will ensure that their needs are met. In addition, the organisers will provide space in the Village area, so that various entities (Fundación Privada Nuestra Señora de Meritxell (Our Lady of Meritxell Private Foundation), UNICEF Andorra and Go-SOS) can publicise their activities.
Finally, the Sustainability Plan also foresees that the WCF2023 will serve as a platform to boost economic activity for small-scale local producers. Therefore, agreements have been reached with the agricultural producers and craftsmen of Andorra; local products will be incorporated into athletes’ menus, such as jams, sausages, cheeses, desserts and coffees; and in the Village area the general public will be able to meet local producers, who are primarily from the country but also from the Pyrenean region.