Flanders 2021 Sustainability report

During the UCI Road World Championships, Flanders 2021, Deloitte and Flanders worked hard on sustainability. In the 2021 UCI Road World Championships Sustainability Report sustainability has been analysed based on three dimensions: environmental, social, and governance (ESG). These dimensions take 14 key sustainability topics into account which were mapped against the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) in order to identify the key priorities. Key efforts were made in reducing the impact on the environment, making cycling events socially inclusive, and improving transparency in operations. The report also provides guidelines and recommendations to make cycling events even more sustainable in the future. Read the report here.

"The UCI Championships were not only an overwhelming success from an organizational and sports achievement perspective, we also set a benchmark in terms of sustainability for future events in Belgium and abroad. For the first time in the history of the UCI Road World Championships, the CO2 impact of the event was measured. Flanders has for some time already been leading in Europe in terms of recycling and the reuse of materials. Thanks to an ambitious sustainability plan with somewhat 60 concrete action points spread over 14 themes, we translated this international leading position into the greenest world championship ever. The use of reusable catering materials, the maximum use of electric cars and the reuse of water, we hope more than ever to have set the example, but also convince the event organizers of tomorrow of the importance and added value of sustainable events for society," says Flemish Minister of Environment and Tourism Zuhal Demir.

UCI President David Lappartient said : “We applaud Flanders 2021 and Deloitte for the publication of the 2021 UCI Road World Championships sustainability report. As the world governing body for cycling, the UCI is committed to reducing the impact of its operations on the environment and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve significant changes within the sport. I therefore congratulate and thank Flanders 2021 and its partners for recognising the absolute importance of sustainability with the delivery of a strategy that covered numerous aspects of the organisation of the UCI Road World Championships. This report will act as a catalyst for change, providing future event organisers with valuable feedback, data and benchmarks to reduce the environmental impact –and at the same time enhance the social impact - of their events.”

“We believe that the impact we have starts with ourselves. Dealing responsibly with the planet is central to our strategy. This is also reflected in our sustainability partnership with the UCI Road World Championships. We are proud that for the 2021 races in Flanders, we were able to capture data for the ESG framework for the first time in cycling history, allowing us to create the baseline for future sustainability benchmarks of cycling events. We strongly believe that this sustainability report is a first step in helping to make greener and more inclusive choices for the future. This first report will be the touchstone to help create that future,” explained Piet Vandendriessche, CEO Deloitte Belgium.

"From our candidacy in 2018, sustainability was one of the absolute core values for the world championship. After all, a sporting event of this magnitude also has an important social role. Together with a multitude of partners, we have made a very strong commitment to reducing our footprint, to greener mobility and to an inclusive event. We are of course very pleased that these efforts have had an effect and that this has been investigated and established so comprehensively for the first time," said Christophe Impens of Flanders2021.

Tomas Van Den Spiegel of Flanders2021 adds: "In addition to the unforgettable images of absolute top sport and frenzied fans, the world championship in Flanders will also be remembered as a trendsetter in the field of socially responsible organizing. We hope that Flanders 2021's efforts will inspire future organizers of major events."

Read the report here.