Responsibility

The Kontiolahti World Cup event is organized in a responsible way. For us, responsibility means social, economic, and environmental responsibility.

Social responsibility means that we include everyone in the event and treat all people kindly and equally – whether they are volunteers, athletes, or spectators. We also take possible special needs into account in our services.

Economic responsibility means that we understand the economic impacts of the event and adapt our operations to the available resources.

Environmental responsibility means that we operate in accordance with the requirements of the Ecocompass environmental certification and continuously strive to reduce our carbon footprint.

Environmental Management System

In 2020, we built our own Ecocompass environmental management system, taking into account energy consumption, material use, transportation alternatives, chemical use, and carbon footprint, among other things. Our environmental program was audited during the autumn 2020 World Cup event, and the event was awarded an environmental certificate.

In autumn 2025, we began updating the environmental management system in line with the renewed criteria. The objectives of the new Ecocompass environmental management system for 2026–2029 are:

• Preparing an emissions reduction plan
• Developing the environmental responsibility of procurement
• Maintaining and improving biodiversity
• Increasing societal impact
   

The environmental management system no longer focuses solely on reducing negative impacts; it also aims to increase positive impacts through our activities. Environmental responsibility is visible at the event through, for instance, waste reduction and sorting, reducing food waste, reusing materials, favoring green energy, offering vegetarian food options, and responsible communications.

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) also requires World Cup events to follow responsible practices and collects, among other things, carbon footprint data from event operations.

Cornerstones of Our Responsibility

• Sustainability and environmental friendliness
• Accessibility
• Safety

Actions for the Environment

• The electricity we use is generated by wind power. Our partner is PKS, a local electricity company serving customers nationwide.
• We prepare the ski tracks using grooming machines fueled 100% by Neste’s MyDiesel, made entirely from waste and residues.
• In our restaurants, we favor biodegradable materials and locally produced ingredients, and we minimize food waste through cooperation agreements.
• In communications, we prioritize digital channels and reduce paper use (e.g., Team Guide).
• We sort out all waste generated during the event and deliver it for appropriate further processing.
• We compensate for the carbon emissions caused by the event by planting trees in cooperation with the Municipality of Kontiolahti and Puuni Oy.

Local Awards as Prizes

At the World Cups, athletes’ prizes come from local companies. The prizes have been practical items whose materials and production emphasize responsibility.

Our partners have included, among others:

• Taito Shop Joensuu, selling Karelian textiles
• Tuohi Design from Joensuu, producing accessories from Finnish birch bark
• Kolo Design from Joensuu, specializing in ecological gift products
• Kupilka from Kontiolahti, producing ecological outdoor tableware and fire starters

Accessibility and Safety

• Accessibility has been taken into account both in the spectator stands and in restroom facilities.
• We guide and serve spectators in multiple languages.
• Security stewards ensure general safety, first aid personnel assist in case of accidents, and we seek answers to all questions from spectators.
• We enable everyone to attend the event by providing free spectator transportation.