Earth Day is both a moment to reflect and a moment to act.
Observed each year on 22 April, Earth Day is a global event dedicated to supporting environmental protection. For the FIVB and the Global Volleyball Movement, it is an opportunity to reaffirm a deep commitment to sustainability and to protecting the only home we all share.
Over the past two years, the FIVB has significantly strengthened efforts to play its part in addressing the global climate emergency. Guided by the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, it is working to drive meaningful action on the world’s sustainability challenges through volleyball’s unique power to unite and inspire.
At the heart of this commitment is the FIVB Sustainability Pledge. Unveiled in November 2025, the pledge is shaped by four core principles – sporting integrity and inclusion, environmental responsibility, transparency, legacy and collaborative leadership – alongside an evidence-based process designed to turn commitment into action.
This is a long-term journey. One that will continue to evolve through learning, evidence and shared commitment across the Global Volleyball Movement.
Strengthening commitment
In July 2025, the FIVB took a key step by officially signing the Sports for Nature Framework in Palau. This underlined the FIVB’s recognition of nature as both a shared heritage and a shared responsibility, while providing a clear roadmap for taking measurable, transformative action for nature.
Then, in October 2025, the FIVB signed the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework at the Volleyball House – another major milestone in its sustainability journey from principle to action. With the signing taking place at the end of the first-ever Beyond the Court programme, athletes were also invited to add their signatures to the Framework as part of the Global Volleyball Movement’s shared commitment to action.
By joining the Framework, the FIVB is committed to setting targets for the reduction of carbon emissions aligned with the Paris Agreement, developing plans to achieve net-zero emissions and measuring and reporting progress transparently.
Measuring impact through event reporting
Throughout 2025, the FIVB, in collaboration with Local Organising Committees (LOCs), released its first-ever sustainability reports covering the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) stops in Ljubljana (Slovenia), Łódź (Poland) and Ningbo (China).
Together, the FIVB and the LOCs built a robust sustainability baseline, which has helped provide a clearer understanding of the social and environmental impacts of volleyball events, identify the areas of greatest impact, and create a foundation for targeted improvements in the years ahead.
Each event brought its own approach – shaped by local partners, local conditions and local communities. Together, they demonstrated that major sporting events can have a genuinely positive impact on the places that host them.
Driving an organisation-wide mindset shift
This commitment is also being reflected in the way the organisation works day to day, signalling a broader mindset shift across the FIVB.
From a fully electric transportation fleet and the elimination of plastic water bottles, to holding key meetings such as the annual FIVB Commission meetings online, sustainability is increasingly being embedded across operations.
The environmental impact of these choices is significant. The total carbon footprint of online versus on-site FIVB Commission meetings is 69 tons of CO2e equivalent lower, largely due to reducing air travel. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by running three to four cars continuously for an entire year or the annual carbon absorption of 3,100 trees*.
What’s next?
Later this year, the FIVB will release its comprehensive Sustainability Strategy, laying out the path ahead for driving meaningful impact and helping address the climate emergency.
Building on the baseline established in 2025, the FIVB is also increasing the number of events included in its sustainability work. This will help expand the evidence base, while strengthening the sharing of good practices and recommendations. At the same time, the FIVB is continuing to engage with stakeholders across the volleyball ecosystem to help build shared understanding and support for its sustainability journey.
For more information and the latest news on the Global Volleyball Movement’s sustainability journey, please visit the dedicated sustainability webpage.
This is only the beginning.
Together as One, the Global Volleyball Movement will continue playing its part in shaping a more sustainable future – for people, for the planet and for volleyball.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) / * EEA (European Environmental Agency)
