Rally Norway is following the Norwegian Prime Minister’s lead and will purchase environmental quotas to emphasize its focus on being a CO2 neutral event. This will be done in close co-operation with environmental technology company EnPro, which has also made it financially possible for Rally Norway to purchase environmental quotas.
“Rally Norway wants to be an eco-advocate. Many people probably regard rally sport as being an environmental delinquent, but we have a high level of environmental awareness. We want environmental respect and motor sport to go hand in hand,” Even Wiger, Managing Director of Rally Norway said.
Wiger pointed out that all major sports events, with all the transport, emissions, noise and waste they generate, run the risk of being harmful to the environment, but that Rally Norway intended to do something about this.
Important EnPro support
It is possible to reduce any negative environmental effects of a major spectator event, as was the case during the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994. Rally Norway wants to take responsibility and move important boundaries, setting an example for greater environmental and climate responsibility in the future.
Rally Norway will probably be the first major cultural and sports event in Norway to purchase environmental quotas to demonstrate the importance of climate neutral events.
Even Wiger said: “We are grateful that EnPro has assumed the financial responsibility for Rally Norway’s purchase of environmental quotas. EnPro will ensure that our CO2 emissions are neutralized through corresponding reductions being made elsewhere.”
No indulgence
Use of fossil fuels generates pollution. Is purchasing of environmental quotas indulgence money?
“By no means. We had an active environmental policy before Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg called on everyone to purchase environmental quotas. However, our immediate response to this request emphasizes our willingness to be eco-conscious. The idea of environmental quotas is really quite ingenious. These can be channelled via the network of established environmental groups, such as the Norwegian Society for Conservation of Nature, where they can be put to good use,” Wiger said.
How concerned are rally enthusiasts about environmental issues?
“I’m sure it varies, but I hope our initiative will help ensure that environmental issues are addressed more often. This is especially important for those of us who are most interested in the winter rally event. If we do nothing to curb climate changes, we risk not having proper winter driving conditions in ten to twenty years time.”
Environmental beacon
Critical tongues might have it that rally enthusiasts are more environmental villains than heroes.
“If that is the case, Rally Norway will do its utmost to change that image by setting a good example. We want rally enthusiasts of all ages to be aware of the environmental impact of the sport and to help lessen this as much as possible,” Wiger said.
He pointed out that administration of Rally Norway has already been environmentally certified. The process of achieving environmental certification for the rally event itself will take place during Rally Norway 2007. Environmental measures taken, the targets to be achieved and the awareness this involves, will make Rally Norway an environmental beacon.
“We have focused on environmental measures in all the documents we have produced for the public, suppliers, business partners, volunteers and competitors,” Wiger emphasized.
Climate neutral
“This also opens new and interesting opportunities for motor sport. We must show that we are concerned about and can contribute toward sustainable development. All major cultural and sports organizers in Norway should implement measures tailored to each event.”
Through arranging good and efficient public transport, and also a special seminar on major events as the driving force in regional sustainable development, Rally Norway will try to keep its own house in order” Even Wiger said.
Purchase of environmental quotas is the first initiative taken by Rally Norway to compensate for the resultant CO2 emissions that may affect the climate.
For more information about Rally Norway 2007, please contact:
Norsk
