1. Principles and Objectives

The organisation of sporting and cultural events involves energy consumption, the use of materials, travel and waste generation, all of which may have direct or indirect environmental impacts. AGWA recognises the responsibility of event organisers to prevent, minimise and, wherever possible, measure these impacts.

Sport also generates benefits for host communities and provides an effective platform for education, inclusion and awareness-raising. Athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators can help promote sustainable behaviour beyond the duration of an event.

AGWA is committed to integrating environmental and social criteria into the planning, delivery and evaluation of events it directly organises, taking into account the scale of each event, available resources and the characteristics of the host venues.

2. Organisation and Responsibilities

For each event, AGWA appoints a Sustainability Coordinator responsible for coordinating applicable measures, liaising with suppliers, venue managers, local authorities and environmental service providers, and collecting evidence of the activities implemented.

Before the event, the Coordinator provides staff and volunteers with operational instructions, preferably in digital format. Athletes, technical staff, partners and workshop participants receive concise information on good environmental practices and are encouraged to promote them.

3. Operational Measures

3.1 Accessibility and Inclusion

• Assess the accessibility of sports facilities and workshop venues in advance, identify potential barriers and work with venue managers to implement safe and practical solutions.
• Provide clear information on accessible entrances, routes, facilities and assistance available to people with disabilities or specific needs.

3.2 Water and Plastic Reduction

• Encourage participants, volunteers and spectators to use reusable water bottles and containers.
• Consult local water service providers about existing drinking-water refill points or the possibility of installing temporary dispensers in compliance with health and hygiene requirements.
• Share maps and information about available drinking-water refill locations near the event.

3.3 Waste and Materials

• Coordinate separate waste collection arrangements with local service providers, ensuring clear signage and compliance with municipal waste management rules.
• Reduce printed materials, flyers and single-use items, prioritising digital registration, programmes, communications and documents.
• Prefer reusable, repairable or recycled-content materials, while ensuring the quality and technical suitability of sports equipment.

3.4 Sustainable Mobility

• Publish information on how to reach venues on foot, by bicycle or by public transport, including useful routes and connections.
• Encourage car-sharing and collective transport for teams, staff and spectators wherever possible.
• Consider shuttle services from railway stations, meeting points or accommodation facilities when justified by distance, accessibility and participant numbers.

3.5 Catering and Procurement

• Where compatible with quality, safety and availability, favour local suppliers and seasonal products, including inclusive dietary options.
• Encourage suppliers to reduce packaging and use reusable tableware. Where disposable alternatives are necessary, ensure that their disposal is compatible with local waste collection systems.
• Consider environmental criteria when selecting suppliers and services without compromising safety or operational requirements.

3.6 Energy and Environmental Quality

• Work with venue managers to ensure efficient use of lighting, heating, cooling and equipment, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
• Where relevant, use environmental data from reliable public sources to inform organisational decisions. Monitoring applications should not be considered substitutes for official measurements.

4. Communication and Awareness-Raising

Before each event, AGWA uses its website, social media channels and direct communications to inform participants about planned environmental measures and recommended behaviours.

During the event, signage, announcements and, where available, live broadcasts may be used to reinforce good practices relating to waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency and sustainable mobility.

All communications should accurately describe measures that have actually been implemented, avoiding unsupported environmental claims or unverified results.

5. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

At the end of each event, the Sustainability Coordinator prepares a brief sustainability report, proportionate to the size of the event, outlining the measures implemented, challenges encountered and opportunities for improvement.

Where data are available, the following indicators may be recorded:

• Number of participants and volunteers reached through environmental communications.
• Number of separate waste collection points and drinking-water refill stations provided.
• Quantity of printed materials avoided or replaced by digital solutions.
• Collective transport services organised and their level of use.
• Reliable data on energy consumption, waste generation and sustainable procurement, where available.

The findings will be used to improve future editions and, where required, to document environmental commitments under European funding programmes, partnerships and institutional agreements.

6. Application of These Guidelines

These guidelines constitute AGWA’s general reference framework for events directly organised by the Association.

Where necessary, an event-specific implementation plan will be prepared, identifying the venue, dates, Sustainability Coordinator, selected measures, organisations involved and monitoring procedures.

All measures will be implemented in compliance with applicable legislation, venue requirements and instructions issued by the competent authorities.

These guidelines may be updated in light of experience gained and developments in environmental sustainability practices.