For People, for Planet, for Volleyball

The international volleyball community is entering a new era of environmental and social responsibility as the FIVB launches its comprehensive sustainability pledge, “For People, for Planet, for Volleyball,” with Planet Positive Event as a key implementation partner. The initiative signals one of the most ambitious sustainability pushes in global sport, combining FIVB’s worldwide reach with a specialised platform designed to measure, manage, and reduce the environmental impact of major events.

Planet Positive Event plays a central role in translating FIVB’s high-level commitments into practical action on the ground. Its digital platform equips local organising committees, national federations, and host cities with tools to assess environmental and social performance, track carbon footprints, and embed sustainable practices into every phase of event planning. This partnership ensures that sustainability is not merely a statement of intent but a measurable, data-driven process backed by expert methodology.

The joint effort is already visible across several major volleyball events in 2025, including both indoor and beach volleyball competitions.

Each event is being assessed through a structured framework covering environmental indicators, social impact, community engagement, and operational standards. The objective is clear: reduce negative impact where possible and create long-lasting benefits for host communities, athletes, and fans.

FIVB President Fabio Azevedo commented: “I think it is clear for all to see that we are not just fighting climate change – we are fighting a global climate emergency. With this pledge, we take responsibility for shaping a future where our sport contributes to a sustainable future and helps build a better world: for People, for Planet, for Volleyball.”

Photo: FIVB

The volleyball events in this initiative include the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Ljubljana, the VNL Finals in Łódź, Poland, and Ningbo, China, as well as the Women’s and Men’s Volleyball World Championships in Thailand and the Philippines, respectively. On the beach volleyball side, the events involved include the Beach Pro Tour Elite in Hamburg and the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, Australia.

Volleyball as a model for sustainable event management

With FIVB aligned with global frameworks such as the UN Sports for Climate Action and the Sports for Nature Framework, the organisation is positioning volleyball as a model for sustainable event management in the sporting world. Planet Positive Event acts as the operational backbone, ensuring transparency, accountability, and verified reporting throughout the process.

The long-term plan culminates in a full sustainability strategy set to be launched in 2026. For now, the ongoing assessments during the 2025 season will provide key insights and set new benchmarks for how major sporting events can contribute positively to people and the planet.

Learn more about Planet Positive Event here.