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Ralf Rienks (b), Olav Molenaar, Sander De Graaf, Jacob Van De Kerkhof, Gert-Jan Van Doorn, Ruben Knab, Jan Van Der Bij, Mick Makker (s), Dieuwke Fetter (c), Men's Eight, Netherlands, 2024 World Rowing Cup II, Lucerne, Switzerland © World Rowing / Benedict Tufnell

Biodiversity

We protect and restore freshwater and coastal ecosystems to preserve biodiversity to contribute to two SDGs:

Biodiversity, all the living things on our planet, is essential for life on earth.  Healthy ecosystems consist of a wide range of animals, plants and micro-organisms.  Unfortunately, estimates suggest that the extinction rates in the recent past is accelerating.

World Rowing is committed to actively work with Event Organising Committees, Member Federations and clubs to protect the biodiversity of rowing venues and to restore the ecosystems around these sites. This is why World Rowing became in 2018 the first sporting body to pledge to protect UNESCO World Heritage sites and their buffer zones.

World Rowing’s actions through the Healthy Waters Alliance in order to protect biodiversity include:

  • Identify and opportunities for freshwater & coastal ecosystem protection & restoration projects in the areas of World Rowing events.
  • Healthy Waters Alliance collaborates with Event Organising Committees, Member Federations and their clubs and rowers on locally tailored projects.
  • Presenting the World Heritage sites commitment concept to Member Federations.

Sport for Nature (S4N)

World Rowing became a signatory to the Sports for Nature Framework in 2022 , which aims to deliver transformative nature-positive action across sports by 2030 and beyond, enabling sports to collectively champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration. Acting for nature can help address climate change, one of the biggest drivers of nature loss. 

World Heritage Sites

In 2018, World Rowing became the first sporting body to pledge to protect UNESCO World Heritage sites and their buffer zones.  This pledge has developed out of its Strategic Alliance with WWF.  It responds to concerns raised by UNESCO of past negative impacts by sports on World Heritage sites.  World Rowing understands the value of the sites and commits to respect and preserve their outstanding universal value.

Any potential impact on the conservation of the sites and their buffers zones arising from World Rowing sanctioned events will be carefully assessed.

Partners