A competition with “positive impact”. This is the assumed ambition of France 2023 to make the Rugby World Cup a responsible sporting event. Among the CSR (corporate social responsibility) objectives: reducing the impact on the environment for a more eco-friendly sport, two terms that seem less and less opposed.
In recent years, sport has indeed become “a tool to accelerate the environmental transition of our society”, estimates WWF France. The NGO supported the Ministry of Sports in the creation, in 2017, of a charter of 15 eco-responsible commitments, of which France 2023 is a signatory.
The organizers of the Mondial du ballon ovale want to be exemplary, in particular for sorting waste, as explained by Carina Orru, CSR Director of France 2023: “Working groups are being set up and we are discussing with communities and stadiums . A bi-flow system will be installed, one for plastic, cardboard, etc., a second for other waste. The sorting instructions will be the same everywhere with adequate signage and bins, from the place of arrival of the public to the stadiums. »
Waste management carried out with its partner Volvic, a brand committed to a circular economy of packaging. “We are working on a poster campaign with Citeo and on the formation of a green brigade of volunteers to encourage sorting in a fun and educational way in the stadiums. The commitment with France 2023, which adopts a sustainable and socially engaged approach for this World Cup, was obvious,” adds Nicolas Menard, Marketing Director of Danone France.
Of all the logistical challenges, the most important to overcome remains that of transport. “80% of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to a sporting event are linked to the transport of people”, recalls the Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (Ademe).
But, with nearly 800,000 supporters from around the world expected, what about the carbon impact of their trips to France? “Our desire is to minimize our impact. […] We have decided to absorb all the CO2 emissions generated by international air traffic due to the World Cup. A specialized firm is currently providing us with its expertise,” says Carina Orru.
And to clarify: “We have calculated and it should be around 600,000 CO2 emissions generated. To compensate for this, we are moving towards planting trees like mangroves, a species that absorbs CO2 faster and helps fight erosion and rising waters. »
An awareness carried by figures of French rugby. Antoine Dupont, captain of the French team and ambassador of Volvic, wants to believe in a sport that is more committed to the planet:
“The focus of the World Cup organization on the subject is a very good thing. When the eyes of the rugby world are on France, it will indeed be an opportunity to implement best practices so that they become something of a given on all sports grounds, during the World Cup of course. , but also for the many pro and amateur clubs. This is a subject that must enter into the management considerations of any sports entity to limit the impact but also to transmit the right gestures to young fans and practitioners. »
Moving the lines, like a decisive pass on the ground, is also Julien Pierre’s fight. The former player of the XV of France launched in 2020 Fair Play For Planet, the first environmental label intended for clubs, sites and sporting events. It allows them to improve their development model while respecting the environment.
The former second line of ASM Clermont wants to be optimistic: “The preservation of the environment is increasingly incorporated into the values ??of rugby alongside the values ??of respect, requirement and commitments. Rugby is necessarily a powerful tool for infusing good practices in this area. With Fair Play For Planet, we hope that adopting an environmentally friendly behavior will soon no longer be seen as a challenge, but as a norm. »
Recycled finalists’ medals: Acting for the environment also means recycling. The three finalist teams will receive medals from a collection of mobile phones carried out in rugby clubs in 2022. A first in France.