Riding Toward Zero: A Sustainable Future for Snowboarding

 

As the snow beneath our boards melts faster with every passing season, the call for action in the snowboarding community has never been louder.

 

The “ZERO Emission Rides Objective” (ZERO Project)—powered by the EU’s Erasmus+ programme—is leading the charge to embed sustainability into the core of grassroots snowboarding governance. From environmental policies to emission-cutting strategies, the movement is uniting youth sports communities to ride not only with style, but with purpose.

 

Why Sustainability Matters More Than Ever

Climate change is directly threatening the future of snowboarding. Rising temperatures and unreliable snowfall put the very foundation of the sport at risk. This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s an existential one for the snowboarding world.

That’s why the ZERO Project set out to evaluate where national snowboard federations stand today—and where they need to go tomorrow.

 

What We Found: Awareness High, Action Lagging

A comprehensive survey of national snowboard federations revealed that while environmental awareness is widespread, structured action is still lacking:

• Most organisations recognize their environmental impact
• Some have sustainability officers or policies in place
• But few have sustainability embedded into their statutes, and even fewer have monitoring tools or long-term plans

Clearly, there’s potential—but also a pressing need—for deeper commitment.

 

Recommendations: 9 Steps to Shred Responsibly

To support real progress, the report outlines nine clear recommendations—from appointing sustainability officers to joining global frameworks like the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework. The goal? Help every snowboard federation, no matter where they start, to integrate sustainability into their governance, operations, and culture.

 

Call to Ride Differently

This isn’t just about protecting powder days. It’s about building a more resilient, respected, and future-proof snowboarding community.

The ZERO Project is more than a report—it’s a rallying cry.

Now’s the time to ride toward zero emissions, zero excuses, and a 100% sustainable snowboarding future.

Read the full report here.

 

 

Photo-Credits: (c) Sneeuwsport Vlaanderen, Ania Grzelka