NOC-K launches LEA sustainability workshop to champion climate action

• Over 60 athletes attended the workshop
• It aims at sensitizing sports organizations on the importance of climate change
• Sports greatly affected by climate change

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) held the LEA Sustainability Workshop on Monday at a Nairobi hotel, with over 60 athletes from the Olympic and Commonwealth Federations joining in.

The workshop aimed to harness the power of sport to combat climate change and raise environmental awareness nationwide.

LEA, Swahili for “nurture” or “take care of,” symbolizes NOC-K’s call to action for sports stakeholders to become stewards of mother nature. From tree-planting initiatives to reducing plastic use, the workshop underscores NOC-K’s commitment to sustainability and its Sport for Climate Action program.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NOC-K Deputy President Shadrack Maluki emphasized the organization’s pivotal role in driving sustainable sports programs and fostering environmental consciousness within the sporting community.

“We are delighted to share this vision with our members, echoing the Olympic Agenda’s ethos of unity and progress. Together, we can accelerate our efforts to create a greener, more resilient future,” He stated.

World Athletics Vice President and Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei highlighted the critical link between climate action and sports, stressing the importance of weather conditions for athletes’ performance and safety.

NOC-K leads in proactive measures

NOC-K Secretary general Francis Mutuku

“The impact of climate change on sports is undeniable. As a leading Olympic nation, it’s our responsibility to take proactive measures to safeguard our athletes and our planet,” he remarked.

The urgency of climate action resonated further as concerns were raised about the adverse effects of climate change on sporting events. The upcoming International Schools Federations Cross Country Championships in Nairobi has already experienced challenges due to heavy rains and flooding.

Speakers from Key Partners- Julius Mwangemi from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) commended NOC-K’s leadership in fostering sustainability and expressed UNEP’s commitment to supporting the LEA goals and objectives.

“We at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) are deeply impressed by the leadership of NOC-K in fostering sustainability. We all have a vital commitment in fostering a greater future to the upcoming generation,” said Mwangemi.

He added; “We are ready to offer our resources to help achieve the LEA goals and objectives. NOC-K has set up a powerful example for other NOCs around the world to follow suit.”

Ngongang Wandji Danube, a Researcher in Data Science and Air Quality Management at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI Africa), provided insights from the NOC-K sustainability survey and recommendations for enhancing sustainability efforts.

NOC-K announces ambitious sustainability objectives

NOC-K Sustainability Workshop

Looking Ahead -NOC-K announced ambitious sustainability objectives for 2024-2028, including planting one million trees and establishing green spaces in learning institutions. A carbon compensation plan will also be implemented to offset carbon emissions from flights, with recipients planting 50 trees for each flight provided by NOC-K.

Key initiatives outlined in the sustainability plan include the creation of Olympic Forests, Greenspaces which is a school-based campaign, and waste management.

Among the Federation that have already greatly embraced the issues of climate change and taken steps include Athletics Kenya, who have installed air quality monitors across various venues in the country.

AK has also been at the forefront in installing the same across various stadia in Africa. Athletics Kenya (AK), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) spearhead this initiative, focusing on integrating air quality and climate action in sports.

Apart from the Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia as well as the Kaptagat Athletics Training camp, AK has also installed the same in schools, with St Patricks Iten, a school known to produce many athletics talents, joining 10 other schools in installing the air quality controls.

Studies show that exposure to air pollution during training can affect athletes’ performance adversely. Iten, like many Kenyan towns experiencing growth, faces challenges of diminishing green spaces and increased pollution levels.