Lessons on environment, sustainability via ITTF’s journey

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Sport for Climate Action and Sport for Nature frameworks set out priorities and targets sport has to work towards. 

Theoretically, the fact that environment-related goals now have clear sport-specific targets should make them more attractive than other goals without clear measurement, or agreed priorities. 

Sport being about people, emotions, and passion, have historically seen establishments focusing on sustainability efforts on people and communities. Such initiatives are often related to UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) – 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), and 10 (reduced inequalities).

When we look at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Foundation´s ‘Dream Building Fund’, most of the applications we received in 2019 were linked to Goals 3, 4 and 5 of the SDGs, with zero applications for environment-related projects. 

A shift, however, was observed in 2021. Applicants included environment-related projects for the first time.

We can sense growing concerns, and the will to act towards environment-related goals. We are seeing several trends pushing sport towards taking responsibility for its impact and influence from fans, athletes, corporate sponsors and other stakeholders, who are demanding more from sport. 

The dialogue is also shifting from being a bystander to “we need to act now”, and “you must be on the right side of history if you want to survive.”

At the same time, achieving environmental-related goals seem to face more barriers than people-oriented goals in sport. There are many questions that make environment-related projects somewhat more intimidating – Where do we start? Is it a priority? Is there a direct link or benefit? Are there adequate resources, and knowledge? The list goes on.

One could expect sport for development organisations to be among the first signatories of the UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action Framework. Yet, there are very few.

Environment-related practices are not considered as part of many sports for development initiatives. 

I am an advocate for clear, specific impact goals. As such, we must take responsibility for our footprint and apply our underlying sustainable development values when designing our projects and programmes.

The ITTF Group has taken steps to work towards a holistic, sustainable future. The ITTF Group is made up of three entities:

ITTF is not only developing and growing table tennis, but is also contributing to sustainable development.

The ITTF Foundation was created in 2018. With a wide portfolio, it breaks down barriers and provides access to development grant programmes, health, sport diplomacy, diversity, and inclusion. 

As the foundation raised environmental questions, the ITTF leadership and its executive board also echo similar sentiments.

This lead to the creation of a working group chaired by ITTF president Petra Sorling. The journey started simply by asking questions and speaking out internally.

Today, we have validated our Group Sustainability: Planet Action Plan and are taking our first step towards reducing our environmental footprint.

It may seem overwhelming but sustainable climate action is necessary and urgent. All sports have a footprint. All sports will be impacted by climate change in one way or another. We must tackle this, step by step, to reduce and re-imagine our sport in a sustainable manner.

There are many opportunities to move forward if we wish to see mass-sport involvement and commitment to environmental targets. They include:

1. The need to simplify the first few steps in working towards achieving environment-related goals and UNSDGs, in general. ITTF have made efforts to make sustainability (10 UNSDGS) accessible to the table tennis community. The ‘Think Sustainably, Act Now’ manual is a gateway for sport and development, and how it translates to practice. 
2. Increasing support to ensure sports organisations have access to tools and knowledge to measure, report and find solutions.
3. Working on the standards and impact of sport and development initiatives, re-designing approaches to run net-zero programmes or set standards as to what qualifies as a sport for development programme.
4. Creating opportunities to combine efforts; growing reach and impact by bridging the gap between performance sport and sport for development. Start by shaping the terminologies in sport to include the environment.

One can begin the environmental journey by asking questions, measuring personal footprint, committing to the UNFCCC, and using skills to provide solutions to the environment,

If you want to do something concrete, join our global efforts to spread Think Sustainably, Act Now, as we celebrate World Table Tennis Day 2023 on 23 April, 2023. 

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About the author

Karine Teow is the head of sustainability at the International Table Tennis Federation, where she focuses most of her energy on the planet and environment. Her background brings over a decade of diverse experience in the sport for development space, and sustainability.