The local planning committee for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup has announced their ambitions to make the event the most sustainable since it began.

With the support of FIBA and the Australian Government, the planning committee, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Guide, will target numerous focus areas, including:

• Reducing environmental impact: including the push for public transport, with free train travel courtesy of the NSW Government; travel & ticket emissions’ off-set opportunities for teams/spectators, and correct recycling/waste options at venues.
• Responsible sourcing: by using local suppliers where possible, using recyclable materials, and supporting suppliers who source responsibly.
• Inspire and educate: by highlighting the importance of sustainability to participants, stakeholders, and fans, creating a blueprint for future events and delivering a legacy program that empowers and engages women and girls.

Commenting on the goals to create a sustainable event, Women’s World Cup Playmaker, Marianna Toto, said: “As an athlete, it can be easy to get caught in a bubble that centres around your performance on a court or field, but whether you’re an athlete, builder, doctor, teacher, parent, or from any walk of life, we all have a collective responsibility for the environment.”

“The prospect of being able to play in a World Cup on home soil is such an exciting one as an athlete, but it makes me extra proud to know the event is committed to playing its role in the future of our planet, a cause well beyond the world of sport,” she said.

Women’s World Cup chief executive, Melissa King, added: “We’re thrilled to be hosting such an inspiring event in Sydney, and to be welcoming some of the world’s best basketballers to our backyard this September, but we’re also acutely aware of the impact hosting these major events can have on the environment.”

“So, along with holding a world-class event, we’re also pledging to keep sustainability front of mind in all of our activities and decision-making, as well as actively rolling out our Sustainability Program, to do our part to minimise our impact.

“We are also proud that our commitment to this area will leave a lasting legacy for the sports and events industry in Australia courtesy of the development of a Blueprint Sustainability Framework, which will be developed using learnings from the program for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022,” she said.

The announcement comes after the FIBA Women’s World Cup Playmaker Program added Tones & I, Erin Phillips and other personalities as ambassadors to support the growth of Australian women’s basketball.