We leave nothing but footprints
Orienteering needs no permanent facilities and happens in nature. To leave the forests, parks and streets where we run unchanged for future generations, we have adopted a policy aligned with the Sustainability Policy of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
In force by decision of the Board (September 2026). Last updated: 28 September 2026.
Ten principles
Compliance
No event without permission; full respect for forest-entry bans and fire precautions.
Protecting nature
Sensitive areas out of bounds; no nails in trees, no cutting, no trace.
Circular materials
Reduce, reuse, refurbish, repair, recycle; no single-use plastics.
Climate
Measure, reduce and report emissions; prepare for extreme heat and wildfire.
Healthy, inclusive sport
Safe, low-threshold events for all ages and abilities.
Stakeholder dialogue
Early contact with forest managers, municipalities, landowners and hunters.
Responsible sourcing
Local products, durable materials, FSC/PEFC paper; same principles from sponsors.
Continuous improvement
Scientific evidence, precaution when it is lacking; learning from every event.
Spreading the word
Sustainability in coach and volunteer training; sharing good practice.
Organisational continuity
Transparent finances, protected volunteer capacity, written memory.
Our targets
- 2027
- First carbon-footprint inventory (event travel and club trips)
- From 2027
- No single-use plastic cups, plates or PET bottles at club events
- 2028
- At least 40% of participants by public transport, shuttle, walking or cycling; 80% of waste recovered; 50% local catering
- 2030
- 50% less transport emissions per participant than 2027 (in line with the IOF target)
- 2040
- Net zero (in line with the IOF target)
- Every year
- At least one nature-contribution activity and a public sustainability report
When you come to our events
- Take home everything you bring — gel wrappers included.
- Keep out of areas marked forbidden or sensitive on the map.
- Do not use sharp (track-type) spikes.
- Clean your shoes if you have run elsewhere; invasive seeds travel in mud.
- Keep away from livestock and shepherd dogs; leave gates as you find them; keep your dog on a lead.
- Never enter areas shown on the map as out-of-bounds (purple hatching or olive green); you may be disqualified.
- Come by public transport, bike or on foot; otherwise share your car.
- Bring your own bottle; there are no single-use cups at our events.
- No smoking or fires in the forest; follow the organiser’s heat measures.
Extreme heat and wildfire
Following the IOF Climate Transition Action Plan we act by heat level: above 28 °C early starts, shade and water points; above 32 °C shortened courses; above 35 °C or an orange weather warning, forest events move to a park or are postponed; above 38 °C or a red warning, no event. When the governorate bans entry to forests, we do not hold events there.
Documents
IOF documents we build on
IOF Sustainability Policy (2020) · Climate Transition Action Plan (2025) · Sustainable Sourcing Code (2025) · Travel Policy (2026) · Checklists and Guidelines for sustainable orienteering events · IOF Competition Rules 2026 and ISOM 2017-2 · IOF Environment Commission research reports.
Have a suggestion?
If you saw damage to nature at one of our events, or have an idea for doing better, write to us. Every message is recorded and answered.
Get in touchFrequently asked questions
Does orienteering harm the environment?
Monitoring studies compiled by the IOF Environment Commission show a low, short-lived impact. After Finland’s Jukola relay, with about 10,000 runners, visible traces covered only 0.5% of the terrain, falling to 0.1% within 1.5 years; none of the studies reported lasting damage (Parker 2005, IOF). The main impact is travel to events, which is why we prioritise public transport and car-sharing.
Does it disturb wildlife and birds?
In a Swedish tracking study, elk and deer moved about 200 m away from runners and returned to their normal ranges within 24 hours (Cederlund et al. 1981). At a 480-runner race in England no significant effect was found on 54 breeding bird species (Goodall and Gregory 1991). We plan one-directional courses, leave refuge areas and check the arena and car park for nests in advance.
How do you measure the club’s carbon footprint?
We ask for travel mode and distance at registration and calculate emissions per participant with the UK government (DEFRA/DESNZ) factors also used by the IOF, publishing results in an annual report. The first measurement year is 2027.
What is the IOF’s sustainability target?
Under the Sports for Climate Action Framework the IOF has committed to cut emissions by 50% against 2019 by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2040. Our club targets run in parallel.