UIM and UNEP working together for greening the Sport

Union Internationale MotonautiqueUIM and United Nations Environment Program are working together for greening the Sport. The environmental impact and sustainability measures of major worldwide sport events has been reviewed and discussed at the Global Forum for Sport and Environment held at the headquarters of UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya, on 8-9 November.

The Forum provided a unique platform to share expertise and experiences that can help step up greening efforts in the lead-up to events such as the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi-Russia, the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and other major sports events. UNEP’s objectives are to use the popularity of sports to promote environmental awareness and to encourage green activities through sport that bring real benefits to communities and to the environment. The UIM signed on the 27th of March 2010 a Cooperation Agreement with UNEP and was invited to give a speech to this important and strategic Forum. “How to enhance and promote the International Motor Sport Federation’s environmental profile”, was the main topic of UIM President Raffaele Chiulli well received presentation at the Plenary Session.

President Chiulli with Satinder Bindra, Director of UNEP Raffaele Chiulli with Svein Elgvin, chairman UIM Env. Working

“As President of the UIM, I am proud of the official invitation received by Satinder Bindra, Director DCPI of UNEP”, stated President Chiulli at the Global Forum. “The UIM, as the world governing and sanctioning body of Powerboating, fully recognized by the International Olympic Committee, is fully committed to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable development trough sport. The future of Powerboating is in the development of strategies in areas such as sustainable development, alternative energies, safety and youth development.

The popularity of our sport can certainly be a vehicle to increase environmental awareness and respect for the environment among the broad public, especially young people. Water awareness, team work, safety and environmental respect are the basis of participation in our UIM Formula Future activities and we look at teens to breed a future for sportsmanship and safety while nurturing a passion and respect for water and its environment.

We are proud to have established the UIM Environmental Award to inspire and recognize excellence in innovation, development and application of environmentally friendly technologies, to have created the Environmental Working Group, adopted the UIM Code of Ethics (being the Environment one of its 5 pillars, the UIM Environmental Code and to have strengthened our co-operation with the international motor sport federations and UNEP. Sharing knowledge and best practices with other international motor sport federations and international institutions such UNEP is pivotal to enhance environmental standards and achievements”. President Chiulli concluded by saying: “We want to Combat Climate Change by stimulating the Climate to Change“.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO of Puma AG presenting the UNEP-Puma Play for Life project President Chiulli with the IOC member H. A. Gumel

Bryan Coll of UNEP said at the end of the Forum: “Organizers of major sports events are stepping up efforts to become more environmentally friendly. The Global Forum for Sport and Environment – held at the United Nations Environment Program, saw new ‘green’ projects unveiled from the worlds of football, powerboating, golf and many more. Thanks their huge global audience, big sports events are a unique opportunity to promote awareness of the environment”. At the conclusion of the UNEP Plenary Session the hard and professional work of the UIM and the other international motor sports federations has been highly appreciated as stated by several UNEP Senior Officers.

President Chiulli with Theodore Oben, Chief of UNEP's Outreach Unit at the final Press Conference at UNEP headquarter