Since the beginning of June, an external group of experts with nine members has been working on a sustainability plan for the biathlon world association IBU. Also there: Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier. The 26-year-old combines her love of sport with an important concern. “Thanks to the worldwide fan base, biathlon has the unique opportunity to connect with millions of people and to carry the importance of the fight against climate change to every corner of the world,” Dahlmeier said on Friday in a message published by the world association.
Sustainability Expert Reference Group (ERG) – this is the name of the nine “international experts and pioneers” who “represent different areas of knowledge”, as the IBU announced. Brita Stal is one of them. The Norwegian is the European President of the “Protect Our Winters” project, which has been working for 13 years to make “outdoor athletes effective climate protectors”. Regarding her new mission in biathlon, Stal explains: »We need a strong manager with regard to climate protection in winter sports – now. With the help of cultural change and the introduction of low-carbon solutions at events and in day-to-day business, the IBU can act as a role model for other winter sports, the winter sports industry and decision-makers. «
In an effort to be holistic, the IBU advises not only climate and sustainability experts in the ERG, but also sports organizers and media and marketing experts. Laura Dahlmeier ended her very successful biathlon career in May 2019, but acts as an athlete representative in the ERG. She is suitable: as a passionate alpinist and author of the children’s book “The climate change: Laura Dahlmeier and friends working for nature.” She is also an ambassador for the Alpine Protection Foundation “Eagle Wings”.
“We can all contribute to this by making conscious decisions every day,” says Dahlmeier with regard to climate protection. “I am happy to be part of this team,” she says of her new role. ERG has until mid-November to work on a sustainability strategy. The results will then be presented for voting at the 14th Congress of the World Biathlon Association in Prague. nd / agencies
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