The International Skating Union (ISU) is proud to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Sustainability Strategy, aimed at fostering environmental responsibility, social progress, and economic resilience within the world of ice skating. Today’s launch also coincides with the inaugural  “International Day of Clean Energy” introduced by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness for a just and efficient transition towards clean and renewable energy sources.

 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Courchevel, France, 2022. © ISU

In alignment with the ISU Vision 2030, and driven by its core values of solidarity, inclusiveness and development, the ISU Council agreed on and signed a Sustainability Commitment to be rolled out over the next six years.  By way of this initiative, the ISU aims at providing its community and stakeholders with a clear framework and tangible goals to be delivered across the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, social and economic.

The ISU’s sustainability mission is to guide, inspire and influence good practice, responsible behavior and innovation throughout all ice skating sports, ensuring current and future generations can continue to participate in the sports of Figure Skating, Synchronized Skating, Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating.

To ensure the effective implementation of this strategy, the ISU will focus on collaborating with and leveraging the below four priority areas:

1. Ice Rinks: encourage regeneration, sustainable innovation and efficiency.

2. Circularity and Carbon:reduce waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, measure and minimize our carbon footprint.

3. Nature:conduct ice stewardship and promote the protection of nature.

4. Community:empower ISU Member federations, support athletes’ physical and mental well-being, encourage diversity, equity, inclusion, and ensure integrity across all our activities.

More information regarding the four sustainability priorities and the specific targets that ISU has committed to are available in the ISU Sustainability Strategy. 

By adopting these sustainable measures, the ISU aims to engage skaters, fans, events partners, stakeholders and the broader skating community to join in the global effort and create a more sustainable future for ice skating.

With ice skating is inherently linked to the natural environment, thousands of outdoor skating venues are increasingly jeopardized by climate warming. Acting as social and community hubs, skating sports rely on freshwater to make the ice, energy to fuel the rinks as well as healthy skaters and all those involved in the skating community to live, work and perform. The ISU has an obligation to protect the ice upon which it is dependent as well as to innovatively reflect and act on its long-term preservation.

ISU Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 2022. © ISU

"Sustainability is not a choice; it's a responsibility. As we embark on this journey, we recognize the importance of collaboration and engagement. Together with our athletes, officials, and fans, we aim to create a legacy where the grace, agility and speed of ice skating coexist harmoniously with a commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future."  states Jae Youl Kim, ISU President.

To learn more about the ISU Sustainability Strategy and its initiatives, please visit https://isu.org/sustainability.