The FIVB has taken a significant step toward shaping a more sustainable future for sport and society with the launch of its Sustainability Pledge alongside a comprehensive action plan to fulfil its commitment.
This commitment affirms the FIVB’s responsibility to use volleyball’s global reach and unifying power to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges – from climate change and biodiversity loss to social exclusion and resource scarcity.
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo commented: “I think it is clear for all to see that we are not just fighting climate change – we are fighting a global climate emergency. With this pledge, we take responsibility for shaping a future where our sport contributes to a sustainable future and helps build a better world: for People, for Planet, for Volleyball.”
The FIVB signed the United Nations (UN) Sports for Climate Action Framework alongside athletes and IOC President Kirsty Coventry
Anchored in the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, the pledge outlines a long-term plan to reduce the sport’s environmental footprint and follows the FIVB’s recent signing of the UN Sports for Climate Action framework, and the Sports for Nature Framework. The pledge marks the first step toward the development of the FIVB’s comprehensive Sustainability Strategy, which will be launched in 2026.
By signing the Sports for Nature Framework, the FIVB reaffirmed its responsibility to lead with purpose – for volleyball, for the planet and for future generations
The pledge sets out clear principles – sporting integrity and inclusion, environmental responsibility, transparency, legacy and collaborative leadership. More information about the pledge and the FIVB’s broader sustainability work can be found on the newly launched sustainability webpage.
Sustainability in action across seven events
In line with this pledge, the FIVB and Volleyball World have worked closely with Local Organising Committees (LOCs), National Federations and host cities to embed sustainability into the planning and delivery of seven major events in 2025.
These events are being assessed using a structured measurement framework designed to evaluate both their positive contributions and their environmental and social costs, including the calculation of each event’s carbon footprint. The goal is not only to gather data but to generate actionable insights, deliver recommendations for future improvements and identify best practices that can be applied across the sport.
The volleyball events in this initiative include the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Ljubljana, the VNL Finals in Łódź, Poland, and Ningbo, China, as well as the Women’s and Men’s Volleyball World Championships in Thailand and the Philippines, respectively. On the beach volleyball side, the events involved include the Beach Pro Tour Elite in Hamburg and the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, Australia.
Ewa Grzegorczyk, the Chairman of the Board at Polska Siatkówka Events, commented: “I am very pleased that the International Volleyball Federation is an important partner for us event organisers in the practical implementation of the idea of sustainable development. The intensification of our cooperation took place on the occasion of the VNL Finals in Łódź. Thanks to the substantive exchange of experiences and the building of innovative concepts, we were able to make significant progress during this event in exploring further areas defined as sustainable development.”
Each of these events will be measured across this comprehensive set of sustainability indicators
Expert support and tools for LOCs
To support the aforementioned events, the FIVB is working in partnership with leading sustainability experts from Sport Media Focus and Planet Positive Events. Together, they are providing a full suite of tools and guidance to empower LOCs to lead the way in sustainable event management.
A dedicated Volleyball Event Sustainability Tool has been created to streamline data collection and analysis. This digital platform allows organisers to track key metrics and receive tailored recommendations based on their event’s specific context.
In addition, a four-part webinar series has been launched to guide organisers through the entire sustainability process, from the initial introduction to the platform, through the development of an action plan, execution and measurement on site, and ultimately the analysis and reporting phase. These sessions offer not only technical guidance but also a space for shared learning and collaboration among stakeholders.
Together as One: For People, for Planet, for Volleyball
With a clear pledge, concrete actions and expert support now in motion, the FIVB is taking meaningful strides to ensure the sport has a positive contribution for People, for Planet, for Volleyball.
