Today, the 5th of June 2024 marks World Environment Day, an annual date in the global calendar to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Of course, we know that one day is not enough. It is incumbent on individuals and organisations to identify and realise opportunities for ongoing and lasting change.
At Morton Games, we recognise the importance of delivering a sustainable event and accept that we can always do more to reduce our impact to the environment. To that end, we recently defined our sustainability strategy and are committed to supporting World Athletics’ own ten-year strategic plan designed to deliver tangible benefits across the three pillars of sustainability - Environmental, Social and Economic. We have incorporated the official World Athletics Sustainability https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/sustainability best practice guidance to deliver our strategy across six defined pillars, each of which contain actions and targets for our local organisation committee to pursue:
• Leadership in sustainability;
• Sustainable production and consumption;
• Climate change Greenhouse Gas Emissions;
• Local environment and air quality;
• Global equality;
• Diversity, accessibility and wellbeing.
You can refer to the Morton Games website under ‘Info for Spectators’ section to view our sustainability mission statement and strategy. For the 2024 edition of the Games, we have worked internally and with our event partners and suppliers to develop and implement actions across the three pillars of sustainability; Environmental, Social and Economic.. For example:
• Work with Morton Stadium management to reduce waste through installation of recycling receptacles at the event venue.
• Work with the Council and Stadium to provide bicycle racks for spectators, athletes and officials.
• Promote the Fingal Active Travel initiative to encourage spectators, officials and volunteers to use sustainable modes of transport and public transport to the event.
• Provide shared transportation for visiting athletes from airport, hotel and stadium.
• Select local hotel partner based on sustainability credentials and initiatives.
• Select event hydration partner with innovative sustainable packaging solution. • Work with our event food suppliers to utilise sustainable packaging and practices.
• Reduce and avoid plastic based products as much as possible in our event administration and marketing activities.
• Develop several sustainability plans and associated actions across the various aspects of our event organisation, such as Supplier and Stakeholder management, Waste Management, Air Quality, Travel and Accommodation, Carbon Management, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Establish partnership with local sports charitable foundation – Sanctuary Runners.
• Establish partnership with Fingal community schools athletics.
• Instil a culture of diversity and inclusion through our event organisation, volunteer and athlete base, supporting and meeting the World Athletics Continental Tour principles.
• Promote responsible, sustainable practices through our event communications.
We know that we cannot do this alone. We also rely on and encourage you, our wonderful Morton Games fans, spectators and athletes alike, to all do what you can to minimise the impact on the environment. We ask everyone to be kind enough to ensure that all litter is disposed of in the applicable bins at and around the stadium. Bring your own tea/coffee cup -and avail of a discount from our stadium vendor. Where possible, avail of public transport to the Stadium (full details on our website), or cycle, walk – or run!
We are continually looking to improve and always open to your feedback and suggestions in this area. Together, let us harness and embrace the power of sport and athletics to create a better world for our community