Acting to make mountain races more sustainable!
Description
The Green Trail Concept is on its way, or rather “on the trail” to make trail running more environmentally responsible!
Trail running is a sport practiced by millions of people, the number of races held each year in Europe and around the world has increased exponentially. Green Trail Concept is a project co-financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union that seeks to improve the organization of mountain activities by incorporating more sustainable environmental, social and ethical practices in mountain races.
The environmental, social and economic impact of trail running events
Trail running events have become very popular in recent decades, with thousands of runners hitting the trails looking for an activity that allows them to lead a healthy lifestyle while enjoying some of the most impressive landscapes that nature can offer.
However, as it is an outdoor activity, the environmental impact must be taken into account and reduced to preserve natural resources for future generations and runners. Erosion, waste production, alteration of animal species and transport emissions are some of the impacts that must be reduced to achieve a sustainable and respectful organization of mountain races. Social aspects such as inclusion, gender equality and synergies with local communities and economies must also be taken into consideration to avoid negative social and economic impacts on host communities.
Green Trail Concept: certification for trail running events
Green Trail Concept will integrate the principles of environmental protection, inclusion and social justice into the organization and management of mountain races. The project will involve participants, the public, sports organizations and public administrations in adopting more sustainable measures aimed at reducing the impact on natural spaces, protected areas and the social and economic landscape that surrounds them.
To achieve these objectives, Green Trail Concept will develop and promote an EU sustainability certification system to plan, analyze, monitor and evaluate the organization of mountain races, to provide an assessment of their sustainable performance and a guide to possible improvements.
At the same time, Green Trail Concept will provide a platform for the dissemination and communication of best practices in trail running events. Developed over 3 years, Green Trail Concept will target the running community to raise awareness about the impact of their practices and stimulate behavioral change through small individual actions.
Green Trail Concept brings together four leading institutions with different skills and experience in trail running, sustainability and scientific communication, which allows for synergies and fruitful collaborations: the Ecoserveis Association, the Killian Jornet Foundation, GRID-Arendal and ADP Sport Events AB.
Ecoserveis participation
Project coordination.
Objectives
GreenTrailConcept wants to develop and test a European framework that allows the incorporation of environmental, social and ethical sustainability governance into mountain sports organizations and events.
At the same time, raise awareness among sports organizations, participants and the public about the effects of climate change on natural areas and how to improve sustainability in sports practice.
Funded by
Collaborators/partners
Project scope
Images
Team
Joana Mundo
CEO
Raquel Rodriguez
Project manager and energy consultant
Laura Valdés
Communication technician and environmental consultant
Irene Mata
Consultora energètica
Aniol Esquerra
CEO
Marc Vallverdú
Tècnic de Comunicació i Consultor Ambiental
Xavier Reig
Consultor Energètic
Laia Tarradas
Consultora Energètica
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