Major announcement! SEA celebrates 50 members in welcoming the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)

Today, the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) celebrates a significant milestone in welcoming its 50th alliance member – the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) - to the #SEAFamily.

A major non-government, not-for-profit organisation, the AOC is committed to the development of youth and sport; and is responsible for selecting, sending, and funding of teams that represent Australia at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, Youth Olympics and Regional Games.

The AOC also has a major sustainability focus, becoming a signatory to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2020 and recently establishing a Sustainability and Climate Advisory Group.

SEA Executive Director Dr Sheila Nguyen explained that the AOC’s addition to the SEA family will not only be of benefit to both organisations, but also add value to the greater sport and planet movement.

“This collaboration is testament to a growing, global desire for sports organisations {large & small} to do more {for the world} with less {footprint}.

“We are delighted to welcome the AOC, to lead by example, to inspire the many millions who love and follow Olympic sports and to cultivate the expectation that sport can and will protect our spaces and places of play for future generations.

“The AOC’s vision is to build a better world through sport, and this focus is what creates the perfect synergy for our two organisations to collaboratively lead, learn, and share on behalf of a cleaner future,” Dr. Nguyen said.

Firmly embedded in the AOC’s sustainability strategies, is a commitment to achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to actively combat climate change and using sports as a unifying tool to drive climate awareness and positive action among global citizens.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll AM said joining the Sports Environment Alliance was an important step in using the power of sport to create positive environmental change.

“The Olympic movement has both a responsibility and incredible opportunity to actively contribute to global sustainability in line with our vision: ‘Building a better world through sport’,” Mr. Carroll said.

“We know climate change has a big impact on sport and we know that sport contributes to climate change, so sport has an obligation to adapt our operations to achieve climate neutrality.

“With 45 summer and winter National Federations representing millions of Australians participating in Olympic sports from the grassroots to the elite level, the Olympic movement has the opportunity to generate real progress.

“It is vital that we integrate sustainability within our organisation and operations and work closely with Member Sports to support them in adapting their organisations as well. The AOC looks forward to working with SEA and our Member Sports to protect and enhance our environment through this partnership.”

In welcoming the AOC to the SEA Family, Dr. Nguyen highlighted the palpable excitement at what’s ahead for the sport and planet movement.

“Today marks Earth Day - a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our growing {sport & planet} family and the important work they do, to protect our places of play for future generations.

“We are grateful for the AOC’s leadership in giving voice to our natural environment and we look forward to supporting their sustainability journey – and, if all stars align, provide assistance for the delivery of what could potentially be the most planet positive Games in 2032 in Brisbane, Australia.”

Welcome to the #SEAChange, AOC!

-ENDS-

To download the media release, please click here.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Sports Environment Alliance: Anna Haines, communications@sportsenvironmentalliance.org (0400 404 977)
Australian Olympic Committee: Dominic Sullivan, Dominic.Sullivan@olympics.com.au (0421 423 582)

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