On the occasion of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup stage in Vermiglio, Val di Sole reaffirms its attention to environmental issues, as already done for the MTB World Cup finals in Daolasa. All non-abatable emissions will be counterbalanced with a project to safeguard the forest heritage in Colombia
For a mountain destination such as Val di Sole, environmental protection is one of the focus points at the heart of all tourist activities. Numerous initiatives have been carried out in the area in recent years, both to reduce the impact of tourists on the local environment - starting with the creation, in Peio, of the first plastic-free ski area in the world - and regarding major sports events.
Last September, Val di Sole Tourism Board and Grandi Eventi Val di Sole achieved the Carbon Neutrality on the occasion of the Mountain Bike World Cup Finals, and now they are aiming at the same result during the Cyclocross World Cup scheduled on Saturday, 17 December, in Vermiglio.
In association with Climate Partner, it was possible to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the cyclocross event based on the globally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol).
To ensure a Carbon Neutral event, the emissions that cannot be abated will be compensated by supporting a forestry project in Colombia.
Forests are among the planet's main CO2 absorbers, are home to a wide variety of species and are a source of livelihood for local communities. However, the World's forest areas have decreased dramatically in recent decades due to settlements growth, agricultural exploitation, illegal logging and the extraction of raw materials.
The offsetting project supported by Val di Sole is the largest REDD+ project (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) in Colombia. This project will safeguard 1,150,200 hectares of tropical rainforest and preserve its biodiversity, offering education, health care, health facilities and security to 16,000 people, improving their living conditions and stimulating sustainable economic growth in the area.
"Val di Sole is well-known for its successful sporting events, but these inevitably make an impact on the environment - just think of the journeys the athletes make to get there. Over the years, we have worked hard to find solutions both to reduce this impact and to make it generally more sustainable”, said Val di Sole Tourism Board and Val di Sole Grandi Eventi Director Fabio Sacco. “The collaboration with Climate Partner made us take another step in this direction, which lead us to achieve Carbon Neutrality. On this occasion, we chose to support a project for the protection of the forest heritage in Colombia, a strongly felt topic for Vermiglio and Alta Val di Sole, as well as a main one of the UN 2030 Agenda”.
The UCI Cyclocross World Cup program in Val di Sole will start on Friday, December 16, with free practice from 2 to 4 p.m. (all-time CET), ahead of the races on Saturday, December 17, preceded by another free practice session (10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.). On the same day, the Mystic Owls will take the stage with their Irish music, starting at 11.30 a.m.
After the World Cup’s races (Women’s Elite at 1 p.m., Men’s Elite at 2:30 p.m.) and the prize-giving ceremonies, the program will continue at 4 p.m. with another side event: the riders' party hosted in the heated marquee with lots of Turbo Folk & Roll music.
