Small steps to more sustainability
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® international competition series stands for exciting competitions and extreme sport at the highest level. But the series is also committed to values and goals that go far beyond sports. STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® organizers have been working hard for years to make sustainability an integral part of international competitions.
SUSTAINABILITY WITH A HOLISTIC APPROACH
“TIMBERSPORTS® takes many aspects into consideration when making the international competitions as sustainable as possible, from the organization of the events through the competition timber to the fuel for the chainsaws. We have named three pillars on which our commitment is built: These are economic, ecological and social actions that interact together to create a holistic approach”, says Domenic Guagenti, Sustainability Officer at STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®.
LOCAL SOURCING AND RECYCLING
“To ensure we are as economically and ecologically resource-efficient as possible in the areas of logistics and catering, we use local procurement and the infrastructure provided at the venue whenever possible”, says Domenic Guagenti in reference to event organization. “Other important considerations are mobility, energy and recyclable materials. Wherever possible we endeavor to recycle our waste wood locally or donate it to charity. This ensures that a renewable resource will continue to be useful even after our competitions”, Guagenti goes on to say. After the 2023 World Championship in Stuttgart, for example, the leftover wood went to Diakonie-Stetten in the Remstal valley to use in its heating plant.
The sustainability efforts have already received several awards: After the World Trophy 2022 in Vienna – the first post-pandemic international TIMBERSPORTS® event – was planned and held in a notably resource-efficient and climate-friendly manner, the event was awarded the City of Vienna’s “Eco Event” sustainability seal.
World Championship 2023: A MILESTONE IN SUSTAINABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT
With the 2023 World Championship in Stuttgart, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® took another step forward in its sustainable commitment. Under the “Klimafaire Veranstaltung” seal of the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Foundation, the event set new standards for future events. To obtain this certification, the organizers had to meet numerous sustainability criteria in their planning and implementation: Public transport included with the visitor ticket, good travel connections, wide range of vegetarian and vegan food options, reusable tableware, catering with a regional and seasonal focus and switchover to digital information materials.
“Organization of the World Championship as a climate-friendly event marks a major step towards sustainable event organization for STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®”, notes Domenic Guagenti on the further development of the competition series. “The initiative sends a strong message to fans, athletes and the entire industry. We consider sustainability to be an important part of our brand understanding, and we pursue it with great commitment.”
The 2023 World Championship was a clear indicator of this – and with the right mindset, even more sustainable event planning is already possible now.
