SIGA LATIN AMERICA, through its Permanent Committee on Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility, has launched a groundbreaking Manifesto for Sustainable Sport. Unveiled during the Sport Integrity Week 2024, running from November 11-17, this Manifesto is an urgent call for the Global Sports Community to embrace and uphold the highest standards of environmental stewardship, sustainability and social responsibility.

This Manifesto sets the path towards the establishment of  SIGA’s fifth pillar of Universal Standards on Sport Integrity — Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility in Sport. This addition complements the existing standards on Good Governance in Sport, Financial Integrity in Sport, Sports Betting Integrity, and Youth Development & Protection in Sport. Together, these pillars embody SIGA’s holistic approach to Sport Integrity. To ensure robust adherence to these standards, SIGA’s Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS) will be employed, providing transparent and rigorous oversight.

The Manifesto emphasizes the unique regional perspective and dedication of SIGA LATIN AMERICA while remaining firmly aligned with SIGA’s global vision for Sport Integrity. The document is a commitment to preserving biodiversity, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable practices within the Sport Industry.

Objectives include:

  • Developing SIGA’s Universal Standards on Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility in Sport;
  • Ensuring Compliance with the SIGA Universal Standards Through SIGA’s Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS) and providing support throughout the implementation journey;
  • Promoting Sustainability Literacy Across the Sports Community;
  • Organizing Summits, Scientific Forums, and Encouraging Academic and Innovative Projects;
  • Building a Network of Key Public and Private Partners in Latin America
  • Recommending the adoption of the SIGA Universal Standards by national and international sports competition organizers and the incorporation of such Standards in Licensing Processes for participation in their sporting competitions;
  • Contributing to COP30 in Belém, Brazil (2025)

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s Global CEO, emphasised the significance of the Manifesto:

“The release of this Manifesto during Sport Integrity Week 2024 marks a pivotal moment for SIGA and Sport alike. This Manifesto is a precursor to the creation of a new set of Universal Standards, which, together with the four already in place, will play a decisive role in ensuring that global Sport is governed by best practices and meets the highest levels of Integrity and Good Governance. The fact that this initiative originates in Brazil, the cradle of the Amazon and the stage for many prominent international competitions, is significant. Just as Brazil is renowned for cultivating and exporting sporting talent worldwide, I believe that in the realm of Sustainability in Sport, and through direct collaboration with SIGA, Brazil, and Latin America more broadly, will become the Global Benchmark for others to follow in this crucial field.”

Rodrigo M. Weinhardt, Chair of the SIGA Permanent Committee on Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility, declared:

“During this 2024 Sport Integrity Week, SIGA presents it smanifesto on sustainability, created and developed by a highly dedicated team fully committed to the cause.Thisdocument represents a milestone for global sport! I am certain that there are many people, minds, and hearts around the world who share this mission and vision. What we hope now is that this Manifesto becomes a lightning rod, inspiring and attracting more and more people to join us on this journey. Through sport, we have the power to drive change and make a difference for a more sustainable and conscious future!”

Claudia Santos Alencar, Chair of the SIGA Permanent Committee on Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility:

“We are all called to embrace this fundamental commitment to sport: the SIGA LATIN AMERICA Manifesto for Sustainable Sport. Environmental responsibility requires us to minimize our impacts, promoting conscious practices in every action. This commitment to sustainable development aligns with the demands for transparency and environmental accountability, reflecting the leadership that sport needs. With concrete actions and an integral attitude, we are moving toward a sport that unites, inspires, and preserves the planet’s future.”

Gustavo Perrone Nabinger, Co-owner, Clube Laguna SAF:

“Laguna Esporte is the first vegan club in Brazil, the second in the world, and the first to emerge as an ESG-oriented company in Brazilian football. This reflects the importance we place on sports sustainability, which is a powerful vehicle to convey the message of this issue’s significance. Through Sport, we can speak about the importance of changing habits and opening eyes to the threats impacting the environment. We no longer have time to ignore this emergency.”

Download the Manifesto for Sustainable Sport

 

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ABOUT SIGA

SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.

Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport  industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.

SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.

SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.

For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.

To contact SIGA, please email: [email protected].

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