The IOC will "reward through carbon offsets" those IFs and NOCs who have demonstrated willingness to tackle greenhouse gas emissions "within the scope of their sports organisations and respective events".

It comes as part of a joint scheme between the IOC and Dow, the organisation's official carbon partner.

IOC head of sustainability Michelle Lemaitre claimed the initiative would help persuade more organisations in the Olympic Movement to take action.

"We consider climate change to be one of the biggest emergencies humanity has ever faced, and the IOC wants to ensure that the Olympic Movement addresses it in an impactful way," Lemaitre said.

"Thanks to this initiative, and to Dow, we will now be able to support the 'best in class' when it comes to climate action. 

"We hope that this will encourage more climate action across the Olympic Movement."

The first recipients of the rewards will be announced at the IF Forum in Lausanne in October.

The launch of the initiative follows criticism towards the lack of action taken by some organisations, including IFs and Olympic Games Organising Committees, to tackle climate change.

Comments from International Ski Federation (FIS) President Gian-Franco Kasper earlier this year sparked a backlash from several skiers and snowboarders after he referred to "so-called climate change" in an interview.

Climate change was last year cited among the reasons why cities are reluctant to bid for the Winter Olympic Games by IOC President Thomas Bach.

In June, Beijing 2022 became the latest major sporting organisation to join the United Nations Sports for Climate Action framework.

The initiative, already signed by Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, is led by the IOC and encourages the global sports community to contribute to the fight against climate change.