The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and European Space Agency (ESA) have joined forces to leverage space technology in advancing sustainability in snow sports. The collaboration, announced during ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) conference on Nov. 25-26 in Harwell, UK, underscores a shared commitment to addressing global environmental challenges.
Under a newly signed Memorandum of Intent, the partnership will explore innovative space applications to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, reduce pollution and support the circular economy. The initiative also aims to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGi) by making large-scale events more environmentally conscious.
“This collaboration fosters innovation and has the potential to significantly impact the events industry by driving progress on sustainability targets,” said Davide Coppola, Head of ESA’s Space Applications Initiatives Section. FIS Sustainability Director Susanna Sieff emphasized the collective responsibility required to address critical issues like climate change, noting that ESA’s expertise in space technology aligns seamlessly with FIS’s mission for a sustainable future in snow sports.
The partnership will also explore space-based solutions for athlete performance, event safety, and enhancing recreational snow sports experiences. ESA’s funding opportunity, “Space for Sustainability in Sports and Mass Events,” set to open on Jan. 31, 2025, will further support these efforts.
