Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time - for Switzerland and globally. In order to reduce emissions of climate-relevant greenhouse gases and thus slow down global warming, the international community adopted a new agreement on climate protection at the climate conference in Paris at the end of 2015. The Paris Climate Agreement aims to limit average global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, with a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Switzerland ratified the Paris Agreement on October 6, 2017. It has thus set itself a CO2 reduction target of 50% by 2030 compared to 1990 and has also announced a non-binding overall reduction target of 70 to 85% by 2050. On August 22, 2020, the Federal Council increased this climate target: Switzerland is aiming for a balanced greenhouse gas balance (net zero) by 2050.
In the context of the 2025 Military World Winter Games, 1,700 tons of tCO2e emissions were forecast. The majority of these emissions result from transportation (delegation travel, transport of equipment and transport of troops in preparation for the Games), accommodation and the preparation and distribution of food for the athletes and troops. The efforts of the Swiss CISM delegation, the organizer of the 5th Military World Winter Games, to achieve a net-zero balance requires the search for new solutions.
In order to minimize the impact of the Games, the Organizing Committee has decided to take important reduction measures. For example, some disciplines such as ski cross have been abandoned due to the enormous amounts of water and energy needed to produce artificial snow to temporarily shape the ski slopes. Furthermore, wherever possible and sensible, transportation via public transport will be used. In addition, the Games are based on existing infrastructure, both in terms of accommodation and venues. Special emphasis is also placed on waste separation and reduction. In order to reduce food waste to a minimum, meals will be served by our own staff. At the same time, attention is paid to the use of local products in order to strengthen regional value chains and prevent unnecessary CO2 emissions.
In addition, the offsetting of residual emissions in line with internationally recognized standards includes the purchase ofoffset certificates via the United Nations Development Program. This enables the financing of development projects. At present, this offsetting must take place abroad in order to comply with the principle of offsetting each reduction once. Against this background, the contract with Edaphos Engineering SA is based on an innovative offsetting method that enables a net-zero CO2 balance. Edaphos Engineering SA's technology aims to biologically sequester the entire 1,700 tons of CO2e between 2024 and 2025 on sites in Switzerland, i.e. to store CO2 in the soil. Implementing this technology on Swiss sites will contribute to the reduction and long-term storage of CO2. This innovative approach should not only ensure the climate neutrality of the Military Wolrd Winter Games, but also enable long-term positive effects for the environment and climate.
The aim of this sustainable event management is to demonstrate that major international sporting events can be organized in an economically responsible, socially sustainable and environmentally friendly way without compromising sporting excellence.