Sustainability

The world is facing a climate crisis and the bike can play a crucial role as a vehicle for change. The next five years are critical for accelerating the transformative changes needed to halve global carbon emissions by 2030 and avoid the very worst consequences of climate change.

As a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, we will engage with these challenges by taking action to minimise our environmental impacts wherever possible and by activating communication channels to celebrate the power of the bike to create inclusive and sustainable societies. To address climate change is to also address social and economic concerns.

As a purpose-led event, 2023 Cycling World Championships is committed to embedding sustainability into our organisation, collaborating with our partners, and supporting our value chain to drive progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Scotland. Our sustainability framework has been mapped to indicators for measuring performance against contributions to the UN SDGs with social, economic, and environmental goals that are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

• Create solutions that facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy and promote Scotland as the centre of circular economy innovation in support of the global sustainable development agenda.
• Raise awareness of the climate emergency and empower local people to deliver a sustainable event and legacy.
• Embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) considerations and practices within all 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships activities through an EDI framework.

• Engage with new audiences to increase wider participation and advance Scotland as a cycling nation.
• Promote Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage to visitors across all regions, raise awareness of sustainable and responsible tourism principles and support the development of inclusive tourism in Scotland.
• Champion Scotland as a Good Food Nation with nutritious, fresh and environmentally sustainable products.

• Celebrate the Power of the Bike for taking action on climate change, air pollution and improving health and well-being
• Eliminate emissions wherever possible to deliver a low carbon event contributing towards Glasgow and Scotland’s Net-Zero goals aligned with the 1.5°C ambition of the Paris Agreement.
• Implement best practice and innovate to become a model for future events in Scotland and around the world.
• Showcase Scottish nature, the pressures biodiversity faces and its importance for climate adaptation.

Read our Sustainability Framework to learn in more detail about how we are delivering against our People, Place and Planet commitments.