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In order to offset its greenhouse gas emissions – for example from long flights – the international ski association is currently focusing on compensation projects and even describes itself as climate-positive. From Greenpeace’s point of view, this is pure greenwashing.
The environmental organization is therefore demanding that FIS President Eliasch stop this sale of indulgences before the next season and take real climate protection measures. Greenpeace is thus standing side by side with over 500 professional winter sports enthusiasts – including Ski World Cup record holder Mikaela Shiffrin or Aleksander Aamodt Kilde – who support the climate protection initiative of ÖSV ski racer Julian Schütter.
“Instead of making winter sports fit for the future, the FIS under President Eliasch is fueling its downfall. COâ‚‚ compensation payments are nothing but brazen greenwashing,” says Adam Pawloff, program director at Greenpeace in Austria.
A look at the alpine ski racing calendar shows that the FIS under Eliasch knowingly ignores the signs of the times: Not just once, but even twice a season, the athletes and their teams, including their equipment, will fly across the Atlantic to various races. “It’s not enough that Eliasch sells indulgences with his compensation projects. He throws another log into the fire and thereby destroys the very basis of the FIS’s existence: White Winters,” says Pawloff.
“Reduce emissions to a minimum”
Global COâ‚‚ emissions are skyrocketing at record speed, fueling the climate crisis. The Alpine region has been hit harder than average by global warming: our glaciers are shrinking rapidly. Last year, the glacier receded by an average of 28.7 meters – that’s a full 11 meters more than in the previous year.
Several races from the past Ski World Cup season had to be canceled due to a lack of snow. “Instead of relying on non-transparent COâ‚‚ compensation projects and sending the athletes around the world twice despite the escalating climate crisis, it is time to pull the emergency brake. Eliasch and the FIS have to adapt the racing calendar and for that ensure that races are timed to minimize travel and associated emissions,” Pawloff demands. This also benefits athletes who have more rest and training time.
Not only Greenpeace, but also numerous professional athletes sharply criticize the ignorance of the FIS under President Eliasch. More than 500 professional winter athletes – including Ski World Cup record holder Mikaela Shiffrin or Aleksander Aamodt Kilde – support the climate initiative of ÖSV ski racer Julian Schütter to the international ski association: In a letter they demand that emissions be halved by 2030 in accordance with science and complete transparency in climate protection measures.
Source: Nachrichten
