G-ForSE 2006 in Lausanne, Switzerland

The fourth Global Forum for Sport and Environment (G-ForSE) 2006 took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne on 1 December drawing together its most comprehensive and diverse panel of sport representatives and culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between UNEP and the Federation International de Motocyclisme (FIM).

Organized by NPO Global Sports Alliance (GSA) and the United Nations Environment Programme, the Global Forum on Sport and Environment takes place every two years and features delegates representing all areas of sport. Sporting events were a particular focus of this year’s event, which was sponsored by Volvo and the Pentland Group, and eight panel sessions were run throughout the day dealing with issues such as the design of stadiums, water related issues, environmental awareness, the role of NGOs, carbon dioxide and ozone depleting substances, renewable energy, transport, and waste/ recycling.

Delegates involved in some of the world’s largest sporting events took part in the event, including the Torino, Beijing and Vancouver Olympics, the FIFA World Cups in Germany and South Africa, the Athletics World Championships in Helsinki and the Superbowl

A press conference was held during the day to mark the launch of the Torino 2006 final Sustainability Report and the FIFA 2006 Green Goal Legacy Report. The Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) was also singled out for attention with the 2006 publication of their Environmental Code, and the Forum concluded with the signing of an MOU between UNEP and FIM.

Speakers

Mr. Pal Schmitt, IOC Member and Chairman of the Sport and Environment Commission of the IOC, Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Acting Director General, IUCN
Mr. Adolf Ogi, UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace)
Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP’s Executive Director
Mr. Eric Falt, UNEP Director of Communications and Public Information
Mr. Tatsuo Okada, Executive Director, Global Sports Alliance
Mr. Tommy Sithole, Director of International Cooperation Development,International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Mr. Glenn Bourke, CEO Volvo Ocean Race

Panelists

Mr. Geraint John, Senior Advisor, HOK Sport Architecture
Ms. Miranda Kiuri Popova, Architect, National Olympic Committee of Spain
Mr. Jules de Heer, Senior Consultant, Sustainable Sport Development
Mr. Michael Kleiner, Coordinator, Euro 2008 Organizing Committee
Mr. Matt Smith, Executive Director, International Rowing Federation
Mr. Stephane Latxague, Executive Director, Surfrider Foundation, Europe
Mr. David Crawford, Managing Director, Sustainability Sport and Event consulting
Mr. Tony Diamantidis, Executive Director, Athens Environmental Foundation
Mr. Leigh Steinberg, Managing Director, Leigh Steinberg Enterprises
Mr. Vito Ippolito, President, International Motorcycling Federation (FIM)
Mr. Carlos Cardoso, Secretary General, European Non-governmental Sport Organization
Ms. Susan Brown, Policy Analyst, WWF
Paolo Revellino, Head of Sustainability, Torino 2006
Mr. Leon Larson, Chairman, Environment Committee, International Water Ski Federation
Mr. Paolo Revellino, Head of Sustainability, Torino Olympics Organizing Committee
Mr. Christian Hockfeld, Oeko Institute
Mr. Lewis Simon, Development Officer, WWF UK
Ms. Salla Koivasalo, Helsinki 2005
Mr. Herbert Aichinger, Head of Unit of DC Environment G2, European Commission
Mr. Bruno Moretti, President, Alternative Energy Commission of the International Automobile Federation (FIA)
Mr. Christian Hockfeld, Oeko Institute
Mr. Jim Curlin, Information Manager, UNEP
Mr. Yu Xiaoxuan, Deputy Director, Environment, Beijing 2008 Olympic Organizing Committee (BOCOG)
Mr. Patrick Francoise, President, European Cycling Association
Mr. Jack Groh, Director, National Football League (NFL), USA
Mr. Jason Chare, Deputy Director, Global Sports Alliance
Mr. Roberto Iglesias, President Quebrantahuesos
Mr. Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, Golf Environment Europe
Ms. Daniela Pappi, The PEPY RIDE