Greenpeace and former ski racer Werdenigg criticize the early start of the World Cup in Sölden

2023-10-27 04:01:06

International Ski Federation FIS must adapt racing calendar to climate crisis – destruction of glaciers must be banned

Vienna/Sölden (OTS) – In view of the comparatively high temperatures in October, little snowfall and glacier destruction, Greenpeace, together with the former Austrian ski racer and human rights activist Nicola Werdenigg, is criticizing the early start of the Ski World Cup tomorrow in Sölden. Instead of endangering nature and fueling global warming, the international ski association FIS must become a climate protection pioneer. Werdenigg is now also joining the demands of Greenpeace and ski racer Julian Schütter to the FIS: Together they are demanding five immediate measures from the international ski association to make skiing more sustainable. For example, the racing calendar should be postponed and high environmental standards should be created. This is the only way to protect glaciers and other sensitive ecosystems.

Nicola Werdenigg, ex-ski racer: “Nobody needs ski openings on crowded glaciers except the industry. These major events that have been held for years are wrong. We need a ski sport with a vision for the future that works with nature and not against it.” The international ski association claims to be climate positive – that is, to save more CO2 than it emits. He mainly finances non-transparent projects and thus falsifies his own climate balance. Greenpeace economic expert Ursula Bittner: “When it comes to directly protecting the environment and the climate, the FIS is failing. For the Ski World Cup, the glacier was removed in Sölden and some illegal piste work was carried out in Zermatt, Switzerland. This has nothing to do with climate protection. It’s high time for something to change.”

Former ski racer Werdenigg now joins the joint demands of Greenpeace and ski racer Julian Schütter to the FIS. The following five measures are intended to make skiing fit for the future:

1. High environmental standards must be a requirement for venues. Above all, this means that glaciers and other ecosystems can no longer be destroyed through expansion or other serious interventions.

2. Racing must start later in the year, so no races will be held until there is sufficient natural snow. This means athletes are not forced to travel to distant places for training. The end of November is recommended as the earliest start to the season.

3. The travel of spectators, athletes and their teams as well as logistics cause the most climate-damaging emissions. Therefore, the ability to travel by public transport must be a fundamental criterion for selecting race locations. The logistics and transport of the equipment must also rely on climate-friendly solutions. Under no circumstances should the use of private jets be used.

4. CO2 compensation distracts from urgently needed reduction measures. Therefore, they must not be a means of achieving supposed “climate neutrality”. Instead, CO2 must be actively saved.

5. Instead of effective measures such as reducing emissions, the FIS relies on greenwashing and describes itself as “climate positive”. Such misleading terms must not be used on the basis of compensation.

“These five measures are a first step towards making skiing more sustainable. If the FIS wants to be credible, it has to pull the ripcord and put skiing on a new footing,” says Greenpeace expert Bittner.

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Questions & Contact:

Ursula Bittner
Economic expert
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel.: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Réka Tercza
Press spokesperson
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel.: + 43 (0)664 85 74 59 8
E-Mail: [e-mail]

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