The Beach Volleyball World Championships have already wrapped up, but their impact extends far beyond the sand. This year’s tournament showcased the first major steps of a pioneering partnership between the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Planet Positive Event, signaling a bold shift toward fully sustainable global volleyball events.
The collaboration, officially launched ahead of the 2025 season, aims to weave environmentally responsible practices into every layer of volleyball’s premier competitions. Planet Positive Event is equipping FIVB with tools for carbon-footprint tracking, sustainable planning, and greener operations—an unprecedented move in the sport’s history.
Earlier this year, FIVB cemented its commitment by unveiling its Sustainability Pledge and a powerful guiding mantra: “For the people, for the planet, for volleyball.” The pledge focuses on five pillars: environmental responsibility, integrity and inclusion, transparency, positive legacies, and collaborative leadership. It also strengthened FIVB’s ties to global initiatives such as the UN Climate Action Framework and Sports for Nature, ensuring that future event planning integrates environmental, social, and governance metrics.
Planet Positive Event plays a vital role in FIVB’s Sustainability Pledge roadmap. The organization is guiding FIVB through frameworks that minimize waste, improve resource efficiency, and increase community involvement. Everything from venue design to transportation plans is being reimagined with sustainability at the forefront. FIVB’s Head of Sustainability and Development, Paulo Barone, emphasized that transparent reporting and data-driven decision-making will help set a new global standard, proving that elite sports can remain high-performance while also environmentally conscious.
Although FIVB is based in Switzerland, this speaks to the global sporting community. It provides an example of how international sporting events should stop and consider the impact they have on the environment. For one, Nevada has more in-person sports betting facilities than any other US state, which means more paper waste and potential pollution. Online nevada sports betting is a more eco-friendly option, still providing players with competitive odds and a wide range of markets, while keeping the environment safe. This is but one alternative for international sports fans and sportsbooks to participate in these initiatives.
An example of the partnership in action was seen during preparations for the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide. The event adopted smart venue principles, including sand repurposing strategies, expanded bike parking, and enhanced public transit options. Partnerships with organizations like Closed Loop ensured refill stations and reusable materials were widely accessible. The momentum has spread rapidly, with host cities and national federations now prioritizing local suppliers and biodiversity protection as part of their planning.
The sustainability message is reaching far and wide. With volleyball boasting a global fanbase exceeding 800 million people, countries such as Poland, China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Germany have already taken up the challenge. Their initiatives aim to reduce emissions, create inclusive fan environments, and stimulate local economies—with each nation adapting the framework to its unique context.
As the sport looks ahead, the FIVB–Planet Positive Event alliance signals a powerful shift. Volleyball isn’t just embracing sustainability—it’s shaping a blueprint for how major international events can protect the environment while delivering world-class competition.
