In 2018, the ISA declared Sustainability as one of its core values.

Ocean pollution and climate change loom as major global challenges for humanity.

These challenges are not only a threat to our sport of surfing, but to the world as a whole. Understanding the need for a unified, global call to action, the ISA is taking multiple steps to do our part to have a positive impact.
 

ISA Sustainability Agenda 2030

2030 Sustainability Plan >

Sport for Climate Action

The ISA is a signatory of the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework – an initiative that empowers sporting organizations to reach their climate goals.

ISA Carbon Reduction Plan >

ISA Headquarters staff also completed Carbon Literacy Training in 2025. As a result, the ISA is now 100% Carbon Literate certified by the Carbon Literacy Project. This training has empowered staff across all departments to integrate climate-conscious decision-making into every aspect of our work.

  • Read More About the ISA's Commitment to the UNFCCC's Sports for Climate Action Framework

    Sports that join the movement commit to the following five principles:

    • Principle 1: Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
    • Principle 2: Reduce overall climate impact
    • Principle 3: Educate for climate action
    • Principle 4: Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
    • Principle 5: Advocate for climate action through communication

    Signatories are required to report the carbon footprint of their activities annually. All signatories have committed to a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, with a target of net-zero by 2040.

Sports for Nature Initiative

The ISA has joined the IUCN Sports for Nature Framework, which enables sports to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration. S4N is a joint initiative between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Olympic Committee (IOC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.

  • Read More About the ISA's Commitment to the IUCN Sports for Nature Framework

    The Sports for Nature Framework was created to tap into sports’ enormous potential to take on ambitious goals and drive positive change. The Framework aims to deliver transformative, nature positive action across sports by 2030 and beyond.

    The Framework supports sports to make contributions to nature and asks sports organisations to work towards four principles and linked goals that will help them advance their nature journey.

    • Principle 1: Protect nature and avoid damage to natural habitats and species
    • Principle 2: Restore and regenerate nature wherever possible
    • Principle 3: Understand and reduce risks to nature in the supply chains
    • Principle 4: Educate and inspire positive action for nature across and beyond sport

    Click here to read more about Sports for Nature and how to join us in promoting the conservation of nature.

CleanSeas

Demonstrating our commitment to environmental sustainability, the ISA formed a partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in support of the United Nations-led CleanSeas Campaign against marine plastic litter. The campaign is now known as #BeatPlasticPollution.

IOC IF Case Study: The ISA’s Commitment to Sustainability >

  • Read More About the ISA's Commitment to the CleanSeas Campaign

    Launched in 2017, the CleanSeas Campaign is an environmental initiative aimed at engaging governments, the general public, civil society and the private sector in the fight against marine plastic litter.

    The ISA’s pledges to the CleanSeas Campaign started on June 5, 2018, World Environmental Day, and came as part of a wider plan to call on sport, and the Olympic Movement, to join the effort and implement sustainability actions wherever possible.

    In supporting the CleanSeas Campaign, the ISA committed to the following sustainability goals:

    • Include Sustainability as a core value of the ISA.
    • Elect a Sustainability Partner to help identify best practices, develop recommendations, establish targets and define collaboration using the ISA World Championships and media as a platform to reach a wider audience.
    • Develop a Sustainability Strategic plan.
    • Eliminate single-use plastics at all ISA World Championships by 2019.
    • Expand module on Sustainability in all ISA Educational Materials, including Coaching and Judging Courses to educate and empower Coaches, Instructors and Judges as Environmental Ambassadors.

2024 ISA World Surfing Games Mangrove Restoration Project with Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico:

  • 2019 ISA World Longboard Surfing Championship Sustainability Highlights

  • 2019 Vissla ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Sustainability Highlights

  • 2018 Vissla ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Sustainability Highlights

Join the Wave

Prioritizing sustainability and tackling climate change are global challenges that equally affect us all. While we need to act in unison, small acts by many can also make a big difference.

We encourage ISA members, athletes, coaches, judges, and surfers everywhere to implement sustainable practices to ensure a healthy future for our planet and sport.

 

Your cart

No products in the cart.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.