Sustainability is an important goal for the International Sambo Federation.

In September 2023, FIAS highlighted this by inviting fans of the sport to take part in the "Bigger Than The Game" survey for the Climate Action Framework programme of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

This research aims to make a difference in shaping a more sustainable and resilient world.

In 2022, the FIAS continued its cooperation with international organisations in its bid to develop the sustainability goals of the governing body.

FIAS representatives took part in discussions about the Sport for Nature framework in December 2022, alongside other federations and the International Olympic Committee.

The organisation is a signatory of the framework which works towards nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Programmes focus on the climate, pollution, sustainable development and more.

FIAS also took part in the fifth Extraordinary General Assembly of Sport and Sustainability International (SandSi) in 2022, which took place with an online format.

For the third time, FIAS was also recognised at the International Olympic Committee's Carbon Action Awards. 

This award recognizes FIAS's achievements in the field of sustainable development, and the federation's overall contribution to reducing carbon emissions.

It was presented on Earth Day in 2022.

Earlier in 2022, Colombia's "sambo forest" grew by 1,000 trees to mark the International Day of Forests and World Water Day.

The forest, on the outskirts of Cali, was first created in 2019 by participants at a sambo camp.

Strategy 2030

FIAS has launched a sustainability strategy to run through until 2030.

This plan aims to support activities with a clear vision while adapting to new requirements.

It has the goal of running sustainable events and ensuring that FIAS is a role model for the sambo community and other sports federations around the world.

In 2019, FIAS joined the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework along with other sports federations, to further strengthen the organisation's pledge to climate change.

The strategy can be read here.

Report

The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) published a sustainability report in 2016, based on that year’s Youth and Junior World Sambo Championships in Ploiești, Romania and the World Sambo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The report, accessible here, details all elements that were used to conduct a sustainable event, ranging from the governance and compliance of FIAS to environmental, economic and social initiatives.

It also highlights initiatives for future events to promote sustainability within FIAS members and local organisers of sambo events.

The G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines were used to frame the report, which is also linked to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Some of FIAS' sustainability actions abide to the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations as part of what in November 2018 became its successful bid to achieve provisional International Olympic Committee recognition.

Executive Summary

With a mission to conduct a sustainable event, FIAS created a sustainability strategy, and a few Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were prepared for both events and implemented on-site at their indoor stadiums.

FIAS introduced a number of new environmental initiatives and social initiatives that were carried out during the events.

A FIAS Sustainability Event Guide was provided to the organisers of the events to make sure the KPIs were followed and implemented.

Based on a sustainability action sheet, a summary of the indicators that were carried out is given below.

FIAS gave assurances that these initiatives were carried out at the stadiums and that staff, stakeholders, member federations and athletes were educated on their importance.

In future, FIAS would like to initiate an International Organization for Standardization 20121 Sustainable Event Certification and combine its sustainability actions to showcase a green event.

"The report is a continuation of our best practices in the three pillars of sustainability, and we have introduced new initiatives to align our goals with the Olympic Agenda 2020," FIAS President Vasily Shestakov said.

"The sustainability practices were carried out in most of the events across 2016.

"Just like the previous year, FIAS is happy to present the numbers and initiatives for the Youth and Junior World Sambo Championship 2016 in Ploiesti, Romania, and World SAMBO Championships 2016 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

"With a simple strategy and the key indicators set, the implementation of sustainability was carried out in these events."

Shestakov added: "FIAS and its members continue our commitment to grow with a concrete awareness of responsibility to become an innovator and a catalyst for change.

"We recognise the importance of sustainability and we are determined to contribute however small we can for the benefit of our society, the environment and the world.

"In the following years, FIAS will continue to keep the dream of the athletes participating in the Olympics alive, by being compliant with the Olympic Charter.

"We realise that for every action taken for the improvement and development of the sport, we need to make sure that we consider our present and future athletes and continue the legacy of Sambo.

"We will continue to operate with a clear vision, adapt to new demands and deliver a sustainable event and be a role model for other sports federations across the world."