How We Move
Event transport and logistics
Participant and spectator travel is the single largest contributor to an event’s environmental impact, frequently accounting for more than 95% of a race’s total carbon footprint. While energy use at the race village is visible, the invisible emissions of hundreds or thousands of individual cars driving to the start line dwarf all other categories combined. Even a small event (such as a 20-person 5km) can suffer from a 0% transport score if travel is treated as an afterthought.
How We Fuel
Zero-waste hydration and catering operations
A typical half marathon can generate over 20,000 single-use plastic water bottles, many of which are discarded along the course. This waste is highly visible, damaging to local wildlife, and represents a massive carbon footprint from manufacturing, shipping, and recycling processes. Even organic food waste (like banana skins and orange peels) left on trails can disrupt local ecosystems and, when thrown into standard landfill trash, decomposes anaerobically to produce methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).
How We Kit Up
Sustainable apparel and awards procurement
The culture of the “free” finisher’s t-shirt and cheap zinc medal drives a massive global waste cycle. Polyester t-shirts are synthesised from petrochemicals, shedding microplastics with every wash. They require heavy energy to manufacture and transport, only to sit unworn in drawers. Medals made from cheap, toxic zinc and lead alloys are mined under poor labor conditions, shipped globally, and cannot easily be recycled locally.
How We Speak Out
Event governance and ethical advocacy
A race isn’t merely a closed event; it’s a highly visible, community-wide platform. If a race runs sustainably but keeps quiet about it, it misses the opportunity to influence systemic change. Conversely, by establishing strict environmental standards for sponsors, educating volunteers, and openly discussing local climate threats, a race organiser can inspire thousands of individuals to change their daily habits.
How We Measure
Measuring, carbon tracking and impact reporting
Organisers can’t manage what they don’t measure. Failing to track carbon emissions leaves races vulnerable to greenwashing accusations and deprives teams of data to target high-emissions hot-spots.
International Regional Directory Matrix
Direct support
If you’re coordinating races across different jurisdictions, you can utilise these regional governing networks for localised support, grant applications, and peer-to-peer event coordination.
Quick-start checklist
Implementation roadmap
Your immediate next steps to transition an event from “Needs Attention” to “The Green Standard”.