Greenpeace and the FIS

Recently, Greenpeace has been criticizing the FIS (international ski federation) and its CED Johan Eliasch about his organization and the way it greenwashes its record of sustainability, asking him to put an end to CO₂ compensation as it’s now ran.

The compensation for greenhouse gas emissions by the FIS such as air travel compensation, is represented as being total if not even climate-positive. As a result, Greenpeace has asked Eliasch to stop the sale of “indulgences” as it aptly puts it, and consider taking some real measures the put a dent into emissions by the FIS. 

This not just coming from the environmental organization, but also from over 500 professional winter sports enthusiasts – including Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde – who support the climate protection initiative of ÖSV ski racer Julian Schütter. Adam Pawloff, the program director of Austria’s Greenpeace branch is stating: “Instead of making winter sports fit for the future, the FIS under President Eliasch is fueling its downfall. CO₂ compensation payments are nothing but brazen greenwashing…” 

The ski racing calendar should be revised to eliminate excess travel from not only its athletes, coaches and support personnel, but also by FIS executive members. 

I would add to that they should schedule their lavish meetings at an easy to get to location in Europe and to travel coach when they fly. This might make a tiny difference, but Eliasch doesn’t buy that and prefer a status quo that won’t crimp his affluent, personal style...