Norseman Sustain IS for you. It’s for the communities we work with, our team, our volunteers, and the people worldwide who follow us and support what we do.
‘Norseman Sustain’ is our sustainability strategy.
It is about reducing our race footprint from Eidfjord to Gaustatoppen.
We care about that footprint.
We have measured it.
And we will reduce it.
More than that, we are striving to set an example for other races, other events, and athletes worldwide.
Preserving our natural environment, promoting health and wellbeing, providing access to sport, promoting equality, learning as we go. A different kind of race. No less important.
Norseman Sustain – The Detail.
Norseman Sustain is a considered, ambitious point of view on sustainability. Developed over several years and benchmarked against the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals.
— Let’s start with the basics.
What do we mean by “sustainability”?
Sustainability is defined as an enduring balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility, and social progress.
That’s important. We’re talking about more than just emissions here. We’re talking about the long-term health of our people, our communities and our planet.
— What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)?
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. They provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. There’s a lot to them; read about them here. It’s good stuff.
— What are Norseman’s Sustainable Development Goals?
Look here for a description of each goal, and related stories from Norseman.
We have chosen to focus our sustainability efforts on the areas where we can be most effective.
But we are not just “ticking the box”. Sustainability requirements, best practices, and technology will evolve in the coming years, and we will evolve with them.
We have measured our carbon footprint, and we know its toll on the environment. It is 439 tonnes of Co2. This is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere in the 2019 race, the last race unaffected by the covid pandemic.
This is our challenge. To reduce this number as significantly as possible for future episodes of the race. We are working on several plans to realise this reduction.
The emissions from international air travel are the biggest challenge we face. About 80% of our footprint is related to air travel, as we measure the footprint of one athlete plus one support-person from they leave home until they return.
Look here for a description of each goal, and related stories from Norseman.
Why not just cancel Norseman.
Indeed, the easiest way of getting our CO2 footprint down to zero would be to discontinue the event. But we believe that our role is to keep giving people the challenge of their life, but keep doing so in a more sustainable manner.
Challenging athletes to find ways of traveling that will leave a lesser footprint is one of the areas we will focus on.
- There are no electric planes yet, still, several airlines have biofuel options.
- Possibly the most sustainable thing all of us can do is when travelling is to change from many trips spanning a day or five to more infrequent travel spending more time where we travel to. When travelling to Norway to race Norseman, why not extend the trip to see and experience more.
- Go electric for race related transport.
Moving Forward
We are very fortunate to have partners and friends in Norway and worldwide with a similar focus to ours.
Zalaris has ramped up its focus on sustainability, not just internally but also on building sustainability features into the products they deliver to their customers. Their use of their Norseman sponsorship for charity projects is exceptional.
Renault, having had great success with electric vehicles for many years, has now set a very ambitious sustainability strategy for the years to come. We will see more end more cars from Renault, that will cover the entire Norseman course and are fitted for active athletes and Norseman organizers.
While doubling their revenue in 2020, Bundegruppen managed to reduce the emissions from their building sites by 58%
Trimtex has over 50 products based on 50% or more recycled materials in their Clean Grit product line. The 2021 Norseman finisher shirt was, and 2022 will be based on 100% recycled materials.
The Future
The landscape, the natural environment and the communities that Norseman passes through are more important than the race itself.
Like it or not.
The race is only for the few, but the idea of Norseman is for everyone – our athletes, our team, the communities we work with, and our global Norseman community. Our shared Norseman journey is about leaving everyone, and everything, better for our presence. Together we will sustain and nourish our people, our racers, our causes, and our natural environment.
Join us on our quest!
Hardangervidda Triatlonklubb and the whole Norseman team.
(Contact us)
Look here for a description of each goal, and related stories from Norseman.
