On May 13, 2025, the final conference of the OCEAN project – Olympic Committees of Europe Approaching Carbon Neutrality – was held in Brussels. The event brought together national Olympic committees, experts, and project partners from across Europe. The focus was on promoting sustainable practices in sports organizations and encouraging concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the title “Reducing CO2 Footprint in Sport: Understanding Your Impact and Driving Change,” the conference highlighted the connection between the sports sector and climate goals, as well as the need for a systematic approach to sustainability. Through panels and presentations, the challenges and progress achieved by sports institutions within the project were showcased.
As part of the discussion “The OCEAN Project Through the Experience of 18 Climate Officers,” the importance of education, shared learning, and the exchange of experiences among national Olympic committees was emphasized. Special focus was placed on the conclusion that sustainability must not be treated as an isolated project, but rather as a fundamental principle of every organization’s operations.
The Croatian Olympic Committee was the only project partner to deliver an independent presentation at the conference, showcasing the results of its own efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Key advancements were presented, including systematic data collection, carbon footprint calculations, and the implementation of concrete sustainability measures. The presentation was recognized as a positive example among participants, positioning the Croatian Olympic Committee as a regional leader in driving change.
During the event, the main outcomes of the OCEAN project were also presented, intended for all sports organizations – including those not directly involved in the project consortium:
In the closing part of the conference, it was emphasized that the OCEAN project does not mark an end, but rather the beginning of a long-term sustainability movement in sport. Symbolic tokens of appreciation were awarded to all climate officers who played a key role in shaping sustainable solutions within their organizations throughout the project.
