European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Cup Leg 4 in Barcelona to deliver comprehensive sustainability and legacy programme

The European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Cup Leg 4, which will take place in Barcelona on September 20, will implement a wide-ranging series of sustainability and legacy measures.

European Aquatics, the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation and Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta are committed to setting a benchmark for aquatics events by delivering sustainable practices drawn from the Sustainability and Legacy Programme within EA’s Aquatics Social Responsibility (ASR) initiative.

The measures – which are aligned with the sustainability goals and policies of the city of Barcelona – aim to:

• Minimise the environmental impact of the 2025 European Aquatics events
• Foster social and economic legacy for the benefit of the host local and wider community
• Inspire the local and wider community to adopt healthy and active lifestyles through the Aquatics Social Responsibility Strategy
• Promote the Sustainable Development Goals as a catalyst for sustainable development through sport

These aspirations are built around five key areas of priority: Green Task Force; Sustainable Fun Zone; Eliminate Plastic; Waste Management; and Solidarity Ticketing.

Dedicated volunteers from the Green Task Force will be on site to encourage sustainable, eco-friendly behaviours among athletes, coaches, staff and spectators. Easily identifiable by their official clothing, they will be positioned at entrances, near competition areas and in hospitality zones to offer advice and answer questions. They will also work closely with cleaning teams to ensure that all areas remain safe, clean and environmentally friendly.

A Sustainable Fun Zone will offer spectators the chance to engage with sustainability through interactive activities, awareness-raising displays and social-media-ready photo opportunities. By combining education with entertainment, organisers hope to inspire long-term behavioural change while enhancing the spectator experience.

In a move to Eliminate Plastic, single-use plastics will be banned at the competition venue. Instead, 100% bioplastic or compostable bottles will be provided to athletes and staff, with multiple water fountains installed around the site to encourage refilling. Spectators will be urged to bring their own reusable bottles to further reduce waste.

Waste Management will be a central focus. Clearly marked recycling bins will be available throughout the venue, with volunteers on hand to assist spectators in sorting waste correctly. Catering teams will be trained in portion control and sustainable packaging, and any surplus food will be collected and donated to local non-profit organisations to benefit the community.

The Solidarity Ticketing initiative will ensure that the excitement of the Cup reaches all corners of the local community. In partnership with local authorities, associations and sports federations, tickets will be distributed to children and young people from priority neighbourhoods, the elderly and people with special needs, enabling them to enjoy the event and feel part of the action.

Organisers in Barcelona are also working to ensure that transport and infrastructure decisions support these goals. Where possible, existing facilities will be reused, and temporary structures will be kept to a minimum to reduce environmental impact.

Our organisations recognise that maintaining a clean environment and conserving water are essential for ensuring a healthy and sustainable world, which is crucial for the well-being of athletes and society. We are also aware that achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals requires significant and transformative action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

We aim to make a positive contribution to the promotion of a sustainable future for aquatics, and all participants, team members, staff, volunteers and spectators are encouraged to support a joint ambition and commitment to sustainability by taking steps to reduce their individual carbon footprint.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics

The full document can be found below:

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