The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), with support from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Programme, has launched the NSO Sustainability Pilot Project, a new initiative designed to help National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in Canada take meaningful first steps toward integrating sustainability into their operations.
Led by Canadian sport and sustainability consultancy Racing to Zero, this multi-phase project will guide three selected NSOs (Cycling Canada, Canada Artistic Swimming, and Freestyle Canada) through a tailored process to build foundational systems that support long-term environmental impact reduction.
Each NSO was chosen through a national application process and will work closely with Racing to Zero on three key objectives:
Tailored Sustainability Strategy
Developing a customized sustainability strategy aligned with each NSO’s unique structure and goals, following industry recognized frameworks and guidance from their International Federation.
Emissions Baseline
Calculating their baseline emissions and establishing internal systems and structures that allow the NSO to consistently track, measure, and report its carbon footprint year over year.
Educational Workshop
Hosting an educational workshop for staff, athletes, and other internal members to build capacity and awareness across their communities, ensuring this work becomes embedded at every level of the organization.
This pilot project is a foundational effort that is designed to launch the selected NSOs on their climate action journeys, as well as demonstrate the value of structured sustainability work across the Canadian sport system. With success, the program is expected to expand in the coming years, reaching even more sport organizations and strengthening Canada’s leadership in sustainable sport on the global stage.
For more information about Racing to Zero and their work in the sport and sustainability space, visit www.racingtozero.ca.
