Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
World Athletics has published 'From Commitment to Impact: 2026 Sustainability Report and Strategy Review,' detailing progress since the launch of its Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030. The review assesses sustainability integration in decision-making, event delivery, athlete welfare, organizational governance, and support for the athletics community from 2020 to 2025, and outlines future plans.
According to the report, the Athletics for a Better World (ABW) Standard is central to this progress. Developed and implemented in 2024, the ABW Standard provides a system to evaluate and score sustainable event delivery. In 2024, 104 events submitted sustainability reports, with nearly half achieving recognized standards, including two Platinum, two Gold, four Silver, and five Bronze events. In 2025, 121 events reported, with increased awards: three Platinum, five Gold, ten Silver, and nine Bronze events.
Starting in 2026, all World Athletics Series events will be contractually required to meet minimum sustainability achievement thresholds. This marks a shift from standalone sustainability commitments to embedding sustainability in all aspects of the sport's operations.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe highlighted the urgency of climate issues, stating that climate change poses an existential threat to sport by affecting training environments, competition conditions, event planning, and athlete safety. The review also notes progress in climate and air quality initiatives, gender equity, safeguarding, and athlete protection.