Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time – for Switzerland and globally.

The 2025 Military World Winter Games therefore stand for an environmentally conscious future. The DDPS and the Swiss Armed Forces have set themselves the ambitious goal of neutralizing all CO₂ emissions from the 2025 Winter Games. CO₂ sequestration and organizational measures will be implemented to achieve this goal.

Furthermore, the Winter Games are to be completely sustainable, which means that only existing infrastructure and materials will be used. For example, no village will be built; instead, the athletes will be housed in barracks. In addition, no special materials will be purchased; instead, the equipment needed for the various disciplines will be rented – a prime example of how international sporting events and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

CO2 sequestration: a partnership with EDAPHOS ENGINEERING

In collaboration with the organizing committee, Edaphos Engineering SA was selected as a partner for CO₂ sequestration. The Swiss company, based in the Geneva region, specializes in biological CO₂ sequestration in the soil. An initial phase in 2024 enabled the sequestration of 500 tons of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂eq). The remaining emissions from the Winter Games will be sequestered in the second half of 2024 and in 2025. This will ensure that the event meets its commitment to carbon neutrality.

Biological sequestration is a specific engineering process that uses bacteria and microscopic fungi to bind CO₂ in the soil and establish a special cycle. This makes it possible to improve the quality and functionality of infertile or degraded soils within a few months. As part of the partnership with Edaphos Engineering SA, the sequestration of 500 tCO₂eq has made it possible to restore and renature nearly two hectares of sterile or degraded urban soils in Switzerland alone.

Organizational measures to reduce emissions

In parallel to biological sequestration, additional organizational measures are planned to minimize the environmental impact of the Winter Games. These measures include:

1. Reduction of food waste through appropriate menu planning;
2. Transportation management with careful planning and use of all available means;
3. Use of existing infrastructure to promote proximity between athletes and competition sites;
4. Use of green energy for all infrastructure.