SIGA Latin America unveils landmark manifesto for sustainable sport
New SIGA manifesto sets bold standards for environmental stewardship, sustainability, and social responsibility in sports.
SIGA LATIN AMERICA, the regional arm of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), has launched a groundbreaking Manifesto for Sustainable Sport. This initiative was presented during Sport Integrity Week 2024, held from November 11-17, and serves as a pivotal step toward aligning global sport with environmental stewardship, sustainability, and social responsibility.
This newspaper is proud to be a media partner of SIGA, an organization dedicated to promoting integrity, good governance, and accountability across the sports industry.
The Manifesto marks the development of SIGA’s fifth pillar of Universal Standards on Sport Integrity, complementing its existing frameworks for Good Governance, Financial Integrity, Sports Betting Integrity, and Youth Development & Protection. To ensure adherence, SIGA will use its Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS), a robust oversight mechanism that guarantees transparency and compliance.
A global vision rooted in regional leadership
The Manifesto reflects SIGA LATIN AMERICA’s commitment to preserving biodiversity, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable practices within sports. It also aligns with SIGA’s broader global vision, with its objectives including:
- Establishing Universal Standards on Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility.
- Ensuring compliance through SIRVS and providing support for implementation.
- Promoting sustainability literacy within the sports community.
- Encouraging academic innovation, summits, and forums on environmental topics.
- Advocating for the adoption of SIGA standards in licensing processes for sports competitions.
- Contributing to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in 2025.
Leaders champion sustainable sport
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s Global CEO, emphasized the Manifesto’s significance during the unveiling:
“The release of this Manifesto during Sport Integrity Week 2024 marks a pivotal moment for SIGA and Sport alike. This Manifesto is a precursor to the creation of a new set of Universal Standards, which, together with the four already in place, will play a decisive role in ensuring that global Sport is governed by best practices and meets the highest levels of Integrity and Good Governance. The fact that this initiative originates in Brazil, the cradle of the Amazon and the stage for many prominent international competitions, is significant. Just as Brazil is renowned for cultivating and exporting sporting talent worldwide, I believe that in the realm of Sustainability in Sport, and through direct collaboration with SIGA, Brazil, and Latin America more broadly, will become the Global Benchmark for others to follow in this crucial field.”
Rodrigo M. Weinhardt, Chair of SIGA’s Permanent Committee on Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility, echoed this sentiment:
“During this 2024 Sport Integrity Week, SIGA presents its manifesto on sustainability, created and developed by a highly dedicated team fully committed to the cause. This document represents a milestone for global sport! I am certain that there are many people, minds, and hearts around the world who share this mission and vision. What we hope now is that this Manifesto becomes a lightning rod, inspiring and attracting more and more people to join us on this journey. Through sport, we have the power to drive change and make a difference for a more sustainable and conscious future!”
A commitment to responsibility
Claudia Santos Alencar, also a Chair of the Committee, highlighted the importance of collective action:
“We are all called to embrace this fundamental commitment to sport: the SIGA LATIN AMERICA Manifesto for Sustainable Sport. Environmental responsibility requires us to minimize our impacts, promoting conscious practices in every action. This commitment to sustainable development aligns with the demands for transparency and environmental accountability, reflecting the leadership that sport needs. With concrete actions and an integral attitude, we are moving toward a sport that unites, inspires, and preserves the planet’s future.”
Finally, Gustavo Perrone Nabinger, co-owner of Clube Laguna SAF, highlighted the power of sport to champion sustainability:
“Laguna Esporte is the first vegan club in Brazil, the second in the world, and the first to emerge as an ESG-oriented company in Brazilian football. This reflects the importance we place on sports sustainability, which is a powerful vehicle to convey the message of this issue’s significance. Through Sport, we can speak about the importance of changing habits and opening eyes to the threats impacting the environment. We no longer have time to ignore this emergency.”
A lasting impact
As SIGA LATIN AMERICA leads the charge for a more sustainable sports industry, this Manifesto represents a clear call to action for stakeholders worldwide. By aligning global sport with environmental and social responsibility, SIGA is paving the way for a future where sport not only entertains but also inspires meaningful change.