The French Federation of Table Tennis commits to sustainability

The French Federation of Table Tennis (FFTT) has signed the “15 Eco-responsible commitments for sports events” charter prepared by the French Ministry of Sports and WWF France.

The signing took place in the presence of Pascal Griffaut, who is in charge of the mission of integrating sustainable development into the French Federation of Table Tennis and Laura Flessel, French Minister of Sports.

The FFTT is the latest major French sports organisation to sign the charter, which comprises 15 commitments to integrate sustainability into sports events. These include natural resource management, waste and recycling, promotion of social equality, and awareness-raising about what sustainable development is.

The charter was prepared for the 2018 World Cup at the Disney Events Arena, due to the size of the event and the opportunity to stress the importance of sustainability in sports.

The 15 commitments are the following:

• Minimum 50 percent sourcing of sustainable food at every venue/event
• Minimum 80 percent of trips to the event to be made on active mobility, public transport or carpooling
• 80 percent of purchases to incorporate Corporate Social Responsibility selection criteria
• 20 percent reduction of waste and 60 percent of waste to be re-used, recycled and re-valued
• 100 percent respect and protection of natural sites
• 100 percent water and energy management and promotion of efficiency measures
• Minimum of one eco-responsible innovation to be piloted during every event
• One or more sports ambassadors to be assigned for every venue/event
•  All the event venues to provide easy access for people with disabilities
• All events to incorporate an action to promote accessibility for everyone
• All volunteers to be respected and valued
• Minimum one engagement dedicated to a solidarity cause
• Minimum one engagement to promote equality between males and females in positions of responsibility
• Minimum one reference of the term “Sustainable Development” within the Organisation
• Minimum one action, programme or initiative to raise awareness about sustainable development

The charter was developed in the wake of the Paris Agreement and after the International Olympic Committee adopted the Olympic Agenda 2020 in 2014 and made sustainable development inherent to the spirit of Olympic Games.

When it was established on January 2017, Thierry Braillard, the French Secretary of State for Sports, had said:  "Sport, through its values, is an essential vector to defend the fight against climate change and to act concretely. The success of this challenge requires the mobilization of the entire civil society, local communities, and businesses”.

Pascal Canfin, Director of WWF France had added: “"There is a real dynamic of sports stakeholders in France on environmental issues. I am delighted that WWF will become the leading NGO on the environmental excellence of major sporting events and that, collectively, we can design events that leave a positive legacy”.

The French Federation of Table Tennis was the 23rd organisation/sports venue to sign the charter, joining the French Rugby Federation and others.

Tour de France, Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, l’Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc and tournament of Roland-Garros - Internationaux de France de Tennis are a few of recurring sports events that have signed the charter.

Paris 2018 - Gay Games, Euro Féminin EHF Handball France 2018, World Cup Women Football France 2019, World Champions in Ski Alpin 2023 and World Cup of Rugby 2023 are some of the events that will incorporate the sustainability commitments in future events.

The French Federation of Table Tennis has also signed the charter for Responsible Sports in 2012 and has been awarded a Responsible Sports Award for fourth consecutive year.

You can access the full text of the “15 Eco-responsible commitments for sports events” here.