The Sustainable Sport and Event Toolkit (SSET), a joint project of the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) and the Vancouver Organising Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) achieved the shortlist for the Beyond Sport Awards 2010 in the Sport for the Environment category. AISTS will attend the Beyond Sport Summit in Chicago, September 27-30, 2010 for the awards presentation.

Beyond Sport is a global organisation that promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to drive positive social change across the world. Shortlisted projects were chosen from more than 350 entries spanning 115 countries.

SSET helps sport organizations develop practical strategies and manage their environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities. Essentially serving as a “How To” guide for organisers of domestic and international sports events, as well as National Federations, International Federations and National Olympic Committees interested in making their sport and events more sustainable, SSET merges the following management and sustainability practices into one integrated application for sport events and organisations:

• Olympic Movement Agenda 21
• IOC Guide on Sport, Environment, and Sustainable Development
• ISO 14001-14006 on Environmental Management Systems
• ISO 26000 on Social Responsibility
• BSI 8900-8901 on Sustainable Event Management (British Standards)
• CSA Z2010 Requirements and Guidance for Organizers of Sustainable Events (Canadian Standards)
• GRI G3 Sustainable Reporting Guidelines
• SMRS (Vancouver 2010 Sustainability Management and Reporting System)

The toolkit provides a pragmatic way for sport organisers to create a sustainable commitment and strategy around environmental, social, and economic planning and management issues and opportunities related to event venue and site selection and construction; venue and office management; community and supply chain involvement; transportation and accommodation; catering, food and beverage; and, marketing and communications. Toolkit users learn how to plan, implement and improve their current plans and operational activities, communicate with stakeholders, and align with sponsors and community organisations.

The SSET is supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as its Principal Supporting Partner, as well as European Athletics, EventScotland and the City of Lausanne as its Development Partners. More information on SSET and the SSET Centre can be found at www.sustainable-sport.org.

AISTS hosts an annual SSET Seminar in Lausanne. The next seminar will be June 24-25, 2010. Additional information on seminar speakers and topics, as well as registration can be found at http://www.aists.org/ssetwww.aists.org/sset.