World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, pictured here with IOC counterpart Thomas Bach, said it is a "great honour" to receive the joint IOC and Dow "Carbon Initiative Award" ©World Taekwondo

World Taekwondo has received the joint International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Dow "Carbon Initiative Award" in recognition of its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future.

The accolade was presented to World Taekwondo during the sustainability workshop at the SportAccord IF (International Federations) Forum in Lausanne.

World Taekwondo was one of just 10 Olympic and non-Olympic world governing bodies to be presented the award.

The Federation claimed this reinforces its position as a leader in delivering sustainable initiatives.

"It is a great honour to receive this award from the IOC and Dow in recognition of the work we are doing in sustainability," World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said.

"World Taekwondo is fully committed to its duty and responsibility to climate action. 

"We will continue to work hard to ensure that World Taekwondo considers the impact on the environment in all its decision-making."

World Taekwondo was one of just 10 Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations to be presented the award by the IOC in Lausanne ©World Taekwondo
World Taekwondo was one of just 10 Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations to be presented the award by the IOC in Lausanne ©World Taekwondo

The IOC and its Worldwide Olympic Partner Dow launched the "Carbon Initiative Award" in August to incentivise International Federations and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to work towards a tangible framework that reduces their greenhouse gas emissions.

The International Federations and NOCs that have signed up to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework (UNFCCC), including World Taekwondo, have committed their organisations to pay back their carbon offsets to help balance the residual carbon emissions. 

In order to comply, International Federations are required to present detailed data on their annual carbon footprint, as well as carbon reduction plans.

World Taekwondo’s signing of the UNFCCC is part of the World Taekwondo Sustainability Strategy, which advocates alignment with the IOC Sustainability Strategy and the contribution to the achievement of specific Sustainable Development Goals. 

The World Taekwondo Sustainability Strategy consists of a total of 17 recommendations developed to achieve sustainable events and a clear and transparent governance framework.

Among the other nine International Federations to be presented with a certificate in recognition of their commitment to climate action were the International Equestrian Federation, the International Sambo Federation, the International Ski Federation, the International Golf Federation and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The others were the International Orienteering Federation, World Rowing, World Rugby and World Sailing.