The International Judo Federation (IJF) presented its latest report on its environmental impactA transparent approach, which allows for better targeting of efforts. 2025 World Championships, in HungaryIn particular, the following were analyzed. The transportation of participants and IJF members to and from Budapest accounts for 49% of the event's carbon emissions. This is not surprising since 556 athletes from 93 countries went to the scene.
The other emission points, however, are interesting for adapting the IJF's strategy: energy consumption of hotels (21%), transportation during the event (11%), and the food-related emissions (10%) represent several avenues for the IJF to explore. The 2025 Paris Grand Prix was also analyzed. Transportation is once again far ahead (52% of emissions), with two areas for improvement emerging: food-related emissions (20%) and hotel energy consumption (18%).
The lesson is clear: if they want to significantly reduce their environmental impact, the IJF and the organizers need to team up with partners more committed to sustainability in the food sector (in favoring local producers and by offering alternatives to meat-based diets, for example) and the hotel industry (by promoting less energy-intensive establishments in their operation).
An interesting point to highlight: among the eight competitions analyzed since 2021, the 2025 Paris Grand Prix has the second lowest environmental footprint. This can be explained, unintentionally, by the absence of an Oceanian competitor, but also by the implementation of surplus food donations and an advanced system of on-site waste recyclingThe IJF, for its part, reduced its own emissions (staff travel, energy consumption of its offices) from 1.155 tonnes of CO2 in 2023 to 1040 tonnes in 2024.
« The IJF continued to translate one's commitment into concrete actions by measuring, understanding and reducing its environmental impact, in line with the expectations of the Olympic Movement and the United Nations Framework for Climate Action in Sport, adds Larisa Kiss, director of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement for judo. Beyond the data and reports, the true strength of sport lies in its ability to mobilize, educate and inspire people all over the world. Through judo, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to contribute significantly to the global effort to protect our planet. »
It is with this in mind that the IJF has implemented the Green Dojo certification and organizes awareness campaigns, for example in Brazil on the sidelines of COP 30, with its ambassador Flavio Canto.
