Sustainability

Major sport events have an ‘ecological footprint’ and it is important to minimise this together. This reduces the impact on the environment and climate. At the same time, it is important to strengthen the ‘positive handprint’, i.e. to implement and strengthen positive sustainable behaviours.

In addition, major sport events have the special potential to strengthen social sustainability issues such as promoting physical activity, education and inclusion, which should of course be utilised.

Rhine-Ruhr 2025 has committed itself to respecting human rights and responsible organisation with regard to the principle of strong sustainability. Click here for the Declaration of Principles on Human Rights and Sustainability.

Major sport events such as Rhine-Ruhr 2025 have the potential to positively influence social sustainability issues, such as social cohesion or intercultural exchange. In this way and beyond, they offer a great platform for promoting sustainable development (awareness and behaviour) in and through sport.

At Rhine-Ruhr 2025, there is a sustainability team in the organising committee that has developed and implemented a sustainability strategy together with students, experts and departments of the organising committee. Click here for the Pre-Games Paper, which reports on the sustainability strategy and was last updated at the beginning of 2025.

After the FISU World University Games, the sustainability goals set will be assessed using indicators and individual measures and projects will be evaluated in line with the sustainability strategy and the national strategy for major sporting events. In this way, we will create an overview of the sustainability performance of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 that is as transparent as possible and share empirical values for future organisers.

Dispose of waste in the appropriate containers

Use resources such as water, paper and energy consciously and sparingly

Try plant-based foods and menu options

Be mindful of your interactions with people: be respectful and inclusive

Be attentive to your fellow human beings and the environment.

Support people and volunteers with limitations and disabilities if they wish to accept your help.

Click here for the Code of Conduct, which applies to all event participants and leaves no room for any kind of discrimination or violence.

Report incidents to your Volunteer Lead or Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Incident Report

Please contact the Safeguarding & Awareness number in case of incidents if you require assistance or feel uncomfortable: +49 151 62890900

A Safeguarding & Awareness Team (professional staff and trained volunteers) will be actively deployed as personal contact persons at festival and competition venues throughout the event period from July 16 to 27, 2025.

There will be protected and supervised retreats as Safer Spaces for affected persons or people who need peace and quiet. The locations of the Safer Spaces are listed below: