Member Associations | 30 Sep 2020

ITTF Sustainability Working Group invites those with expertise and knowledge

At the ITTF Executive Committee meeting held in Chengdu, China, in October 2019, the ITTF Sustainability Working Group was created, aimed at tackling the key issue of sustainability in table tennis. A year on from its formation, the ITTF Sustainability Working Group is broadening its horizons and, with exciting plans in the pipeline, is keen to invite those with expertise and knowledge in the field to express their interest in collaboration.

The ITTF has held two Sustainability Working Group meetings in recent months, both conducted via video conference with members of the ITTF Executive Committee, ITTF Foundation and Professional Staff in attendance. The first Working Group meeting, held on Thursday 30th July, outlined the importance of the "3 P's": planet, profit and people, identifying key areas of focus from event, equipment and operational perspectives.

Last week the Working Group met again, building further upon discussions from the previous meeting and fine-tuning proposals on the Group's structure with framework guidance already put in place by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

"Sustainability is one of the most important tasks that we can take on – right here, right now and in the nearest future. It is also a subject that I carry close to my heart professionally as well as in my private life. As one of the largest sports federations in the world from a member perspective, it is vital that we strive to implement sustainable thinking in every action we take. 25th September 2020 marked five years since the United Nations set out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I am convinced that our sport can accomplish great things and work as a catalyst all over the world to help us achieve these goals." – Petra Sörling, Chair of the ITTF Sustainable Working Group

The third Sustainability Working Group meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday 5th October 2020.At the ITTF Executive Committee meeting held in Chengdu, China, in October 2019, the ITTF Sustainability Working Group was created, aimed at tackling the key issue of sustainability in table tennis.

A year on from its formation, the ITTF Sustainability Working Group is broadening its horizons and, with exciting plans in the pipeline, is keen to invite those with expertise and knowledge in the field to express their interest in collaboration.

The first Working Group meeting, held on Thursday 30th July, outlined the importance of the "3 P's": planet, profit and people, identifying key areas of focus from event, equipment and operational perspectives.

"Sustainability is one of the most important tasks that we can take on – right here, right now and in the nearest future. It is also a subject that I carry close to my heart professionally as well as in my private life. As one of the largest sports federations in the world from a member perspective, it is vital that we strive to implement sustainable thinking in every action we take. 25th September 2020 marked five years since the United Nations set out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I am convinced that our sport can accomplish great things and work as a catalyst all over the world to help us achieve these goals," said Petra SÖRLING, Chair of the ITTF Sustainable Working Group

The third Sustainability Working Group meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday 5th October 2020.

If you are interested in joining our conversation on sustainability, please contact inecula@ittf.com.