[World Taekwondo] World Taekwondo: paving the way for a more sustainable fut..

During the Manchester 2019 WT Championships in May, WT President Chungwon Choue signed on UNFCCC for sport climate action declaration in the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (31 October, 2019) - World Taekwondo has been awarded the joint International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Dow ‘Carbon Initiative Award’ in recognition of the Federation’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future.

The award was presented to World Taekwondo at the Sustainability Workshop on 30 October at the Sport Accord IF Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland. World Taekwondo was one of just ten Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations (IFs) to be presented the award reinforcing the Federation’s position as a leader in delivering sustainable initiatives.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said:

“It is a great honour to receive this award from the IOC and Dow in recognition of the work we are doing in sustainability. World Taekwondo is fully committed to its duty and responsibility to climate action. We will continue to work hard to ensure that World Taekwondo considers the impact on the environment in all its decision-making.”

The IOC and its worldwide Olympic Partner Dow launched the award in August to incentivise IFs and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to work towards a tangible framework that reduces their greenhouse gas emissions.

The IFs and NOCs that have signed up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework (UNFCCC), including World Taekwondo, have committed their organisations to pay back their carbon offsets to help balance the residual carbon emissions. In order to comply, IFs are required to present detailed data on their annual carbon footprint, as well as carbon reduction plans.

World Taekwondo’s signing of the UNFCCC is part of the World Taekwondo Sustainability Strategy which advocates alignment with the IOC Sustainability Strategy and the contribution to the achievement of specific Sustainable Development Goals. The World Taekwondo Sustainability Strategy consists of a total of 17 recommendations developed to achieve sustainable events and a clear and transparent governance framework.

The following ten federations were presented with a certificate in recognition of their commitment to climate action: The International Equestrian Federation (FEI); International Sambo Federation; International Ski Federation (FIS); International Golf Federation (IGF); International Ice Hockey Federation; orienteering; International Rowing Federation; International Rugby Federation; International Sailing Federation and World Taekwondo.

Photo provided by IOC