{"id":210729,"date":"2025-10-13T21:08:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T21:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/210729\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T21:08:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T21:08:11","slug":"greening-the-games-advancing-sustainability-in-canadian-paralympic-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/210729\/","title":{"rendered":"Greening the Games: Advancing sustainability in Canadian Paralympic sport"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As global awareness of climate change intensifies, the sports industry is increasingly being called upon to reduce its environmental impact. In Canada, a unique partnership between the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and a construction services and technology company\u00a0is helping to reshape how major international sporting events are planned and executed with sustainability at its core.<\/p>\n

This long-term collaboration, recently renewed through 2032, reflects a growing movement within sport to prioritize environmental responsibility alongside athletic excellence. From smart and local procurement to efficient transportation strategies, the CPC is working with EllisDon to ensure the Canadian Paralympic Team\u2019s participation in the Paralympic Games leaves a positive legacy, not just for athletes, but for the planet. These efforts also aim to influence broader conversations around sustainability in sport, encouraging other organizations to explore similar practices.<\/p>\n

Building a framework for sustainable sport<\/p>\n

The CPC\u2019s commitment to sustainability is not new, but its partnership with EllisDon has helped formalize and expand its efforts. The relationship began during the Toronto 2015 Pan\/Parapan American Games, where EllisDon was involved in designing and operating the Athletes\u2019 Village. In 2021, EllisDon officially partnered with the CPC through its Infrastructure Services & Technology Division, supporting the Canadian Paralympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. What began as a modest pilot of a strategic concept has evolved into a powerful demonstration of what\u2019s possible when two organizations with similar values come together. The collaboration has since grown to include a full suite of operational services for Canadian spaces at future Games, including Milano Cortina 2026, Lima 2027, Los Angeles 2028, French Alps 2030 and Brisbane 2032.<\/p>\n

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These services go beyond logistics to include sustainability-focused initiatives that integrate environmental responsibility into every aspect of the Canadian Paralympic Team\u2019s presence at the Games. This includes tracking the carbon impact of operations\u2014such as travel and energy use\u2014to identify opportunities for emissions reductions. It also involves identifying waste reduction strategies, and planning for energy and water efficiency, like minimizing single-use items and prioritizing equipment that consumes less power and water.<\/p>\n

For EllisDon, this partnership represents a meaningful extension of its business into a domain where infrastructure meets social and environmental impact. By supporting the Paralympic Movement, EllisDon is not only applying its technical expertise in complex environments but is also contributing to a broader mission of equity and sustainability in sport. This collaboration innovative improvements in areas like accessible design and low-carbon operations, while helping shape a more inclusive and environmentally responsible future for international sporting events.<\/p>\n

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Sustainability as a strategic priority<\/p>\n

Wayne Ferguson, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of EllisDon\u2019s Infrastructure Services Division, emphasizes the partnership with CPC is driven by shared values. \u201cWe\u2019re not just supporting operations\u2014we\u2019re helping CPC understand and reduce its environmental impact,\u201d he explains. \u201cThis includes everything from how materials are sourced to how spaces are used and maintained.\u201d<\/p>\n

An impactful area of sustainability at the Games is how energy and water are consumed. While host nations provide the core infrastructure, EllisDon works with the CPC to make smart choices about any additional equipment, prioritizing energy-efficient appliances and water-saving fixtures wherever possible. However, it\u2019s not just about the hardware. Education strategies are also explored, such as placing signage throughout athlete spaces to encourage everyday conservation habits, like turning off lights or limiting water use, helping everyone play a role in reducing environmental impact.<\/p>\n

Waste management is another area where small changes add up to big results. Together, the partnership aims to cut down on single-use items, improve recycling systems, and ensure leftover materials are either reused or donated. Think refillable soap and hand sanitizer bottles that were returned to the vendor for reuse instead of disposable plastic bottles, clearly marked bins for sorting waste, and partnerships with local organizations to give unused supplies a second life. These efforts make sustainability tangible and not just a behind-the-scenes initiative; something athletes and staff can see, feel, and contribute to during their time at the Games.<\/p>\n

Rethinking procurement and transportation<\/p>\n

Procurement and transportation are two other areas where sustainability can have a significant and immediate impact, especially in the context of large-scale international events like the Paralympic Games. CPC and EllisDon are rethinking traditional approaches to sourcing and logistics to reduce emissions and waste, while improving operational efficiency.<\/p>\n

In procurement, the focus is on sourcing locally whenever possible and prioritizing rental solutions over one-time purchases. This not only reduces the carbon impact associated with shipping and manufacturing but also helps avoid unnecessary waste after the Games.<\/p>\n

Transportation logistics are also being carefully considered. While international travel is a necessary part of the Games, there are efforts to identify ways to reduce its environmental impact. Recommendations include prioritizing direct flights to minimize emissions from takeoffs and landings, streamlining roles to ensure only essential personnel travel, and working with transportation providers to understand and leverage their sustainability initiatives.<\/p>\n

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Measuring impact and informing future decisions<\/p>\n

A key component of the CPC\u2019s sustainability strategy is its ongoing carbon emissions tracking, which EllisDon began in 2024 at the Paris Paralympic Games.<\/p>\n

Since then, EllisDon has been gathering data from a range of sources, including transportation and logistics providers, facility managers, and procurement teams, to estimate emissions tied to the Canadian Paralympic Team\u2019s participation. These insights are compiled into detailed sustainability reports that help CPC understand where emissions are coming from and how they can be reduced. While the tracking currently relies on spreadsheet-based methods and established calculation frameworks, the goal is to explore more integrated and granular data systems.<\/p>\n

These reports not only quantify impact but also offer recommendations to improve data quality and guide more targeted decision-making for future Games. This data-driven approach ensures that sustainability is not just aspirational; it\u2019s measurable and actionable.<\/p>\n

Enhancing the athlete experience<\/p>\n

It\u2019s crucial to note, these sustainability efforts are designed to enhance\u2014not hinder\u2014the athlete\u2019s experience. Locally sourced goods and efficient logistics reduce delays and simplify operations. Educational outreach fosters engagement, making athletes and staff active participants in the Games\u2019 environmental legacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSustainability isn\u2019t only about reducing emissions,\u201d says Ferguson. \u201cIt\u2019s about creating a better environment for everyone involved\u2014one that reflects the values of inclusion, respect, and responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A model for sustainable sport that is scalable<\/p>\n

CPC\u2019s partnership with EllisDon offers a compelling model for how national sports organizations can integrate sustainability into their operations. By combining infrastructure expertise with a commitment to environmental stewardship, this partnership is demonstrating that sport can be a powerful platform for climate action.<\/p>\n

This collaboration also reflects a broader truth: sustainability isn\u2019t limited to one sector or one type of activity. It can be part of how we design, plan, and participate in all aspects of life, including sport. Through this partnership, EllisDon is helping to show that climate-conscious practices can enhance\u2014not complicate\u2014major events, and that thoughtful planning can lead to measurable environmental benefits.<\/p>\n

The long-term goals of the partnership go beyond operational success. They aim to foster inclusion, enhance accessibility, and promote the Paralympic Movement on both national and global stages. By conducting pre- and post-Games reviews, EllisDon and the CPC are building a feedback loop that ensures lessons learned are applied to future events, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is not a one-time initiative, but an evolving commitment that grows stronger with each Games.<\/p>\n

As Canada prepares for upcoming Games, EllisDon and CPC\u2019s sustainability strategy will continue to evolve. Each host country presents unique challenges and opportunities, but the guiding principles remain the same: reduce environmental impact and leave a lasting positive legacy.<\/p>\n

For Canadians watching the Canadian Paralympic Team compete, the hope is they see more than just athletic achievement. \u201cWe want people to feel inspired\u2014not just by the athletes, but by the values they represent,\u201d says Ferguson. \u201cInclusion, determination, and environmental responsibility are all part of the story we want to tell with the CPC.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a time when climate action is more urgent than ever, EllisDon and CPC\u2019s efforts to green the Games offer a hopeful vision for the future of sport, one where excellence and sustainability go hand in hand.<\/p>\n

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Denyse van Opbergen is Director of Climate and Sustainability at EllisDon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As global awareness of climate change intensifies, the sports industry is increasingly being called upon to reduce its…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":210730,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[49,48,102516,102517,295,36844,20662,102518,44,102519],"class_list":["post-210729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian-paralympic-committee","tag-ellisdon","tag-environment","tag-environment-journal","tag-esg","tag-greening-the-games","tag-news","tag-sports-and-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}