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Maceio: COB is a Finalist in the Sport Positive Awards with Sustainable and Innovative Initiatives in Brazil

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The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) has been announced as a finalist in two prestigious categories at the Sport Positive Awards. This global award recognizes organizations that harness the power of sport to address contemporary challenges, such as the climate and biodiversity crises, as well as promote environmental and climate justice. The winners will be announced in October, raising anticipation in the sports community.

Manoela Penna, COB’s Director of Marketing Communications, expressed enthusiasm upon seeing two of the organization’s initiatives among the finalists. She emphasized that sustainability is a central issue not only for the Olympic Movement, but for society as a whole.

In the Purpose-Driven Partnerships category, the COB is competing for its collaboration with Neoenergia. This partnership is recognized for addressing climate change and gender inequality, two critical issues. Neoenergia provides 100% renewable energy to the COB Training Center, which has already resulted in a reduction of more than 44 tons of CO₂ and a 25% savings in energy costs. These saved resources are being reinvested in athlete development. On the social side, the partnership advances the cause of women’s sports, promoting visibility and equality through initiatives such as the Mais Esporte Feminino campaign and the Women in Sports Forum. Manoela emphasizes that the COB must inspire society to adopt sustainable and inclusive practices.

In the Biodiversity Project category, the highlight goes to the Brazilian Olympic Forest, located in the Amazon. This ambitious project involves planting approximately 4,500 native trees, including species such as the Amazon nut and açaí, which are essential for local extractivism. A member of the Olympic Forest Network since 2023, the COB decided to primarily benefit the communities of Bom Jesus da Ponta da Castanha and the village of São Jorge da Ponta da Castanha, located in Tefé and Alvarães, within the boundaries of the Tefé National Forest. This area is managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), highlighting the importance of the initiative for preserving the rich biodiversity of the Brazilian Amazon.

This unprecedented presence of the COB at the Sport Positive Awards underscores the institution’s commitment to uniting sports and sustainability, positively influencing both the environmental and social spheres.

With information from the Brazilian Olympic Committee
. Photo Caption: The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) is a finalist in two categories at the Sport Positive Awards for its partnership with Neoenergia and the Olympic Forest. The collaboration with Neoenergia stands out for addressing climate change and gender inequality, providing 100% renewable energy to the COB Training Center. The Olympic Forest project involves planting 4,500 trees in the Amazon, impacting local communities in Tefé and Alvarães. (Photo source: unspecified)

Read the original article in Portuguese here.