Sustainability
Sustainability is no fad, it’s an essential change in direction. At Flanders Classics, we believe that the future of our sport goes hand in hand with a responsibility to care for our planet. As a leading organiser of cycling events worldwide, we believe that it is our duty to inspire not only on the sporting stage, but as a catalyst for positive change.
Flanders Classics aims to take a leading role in cycling by not only offering sporting highlights, but also by having a positive impact on our planet and on our communities. We take our responsibility seriously by integrating sustainability into everything we do.
Sustainability vision
At Flanders Classics, we believe that the future of our sport is inextricably linked to responsible environmental management. Our sustainability strategy is built around four pillars:
- A green path towards the future: Minimising our ecological footprint by reducing waste, promoting sustainable mobility, and by using environmentally responsible materials.
- Collaboration and awareness: Together with local authorities, fans, and partners, we are building a culture of responsibility.
- Innovation: The application of innovative solutions, such as green energy and smart technologies.
- Social engagement: Inclusivity and support for local projects are central to our approach.
Sustainability plan
Flanders Classics has developed a comprehensive sustainability plan based on ten themes such as mobility, energy, waste management, catering, and water. The plan includes more than 100 concrete action points, aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainability charter
Our events are organised with a sustainability charter as our guide. This charter sets out mandatory basic requirements that everyone involved in our events must meet. In addition, the charter also provides optional recommendations, which are strongly encouraged to further reduce the ecological footprint of the event.
In October 2022, Flanders Classics took an important step towards sustainability by signing the UCI Climate Action Charter. With this, we commit ourselves to reducing the ecological impact of cycling and halving CO₂ emissions by 2030.
At the start of the 2025 season, we set the ultimate goal of becoming fully climate neutral by 2035. The path to achieving this will follow a step-by-step plan, spread over the coming years. The focus will be on numerous sustainable measures, ranging from green energy and waste management to sustainable mobility. Step by step, we are building a long-term vision to make cycling more sustainable and to set an example within the sports world.
The 2021 UCI Road World Championships in Flanders can be considered a significant milestone for Flanders Classics. As part of Flanders 2021 vzw, Flanders Classics made large-scale sustainability efforts for the first time. Together with EventFlanders, Sport Vlaanderen, the host cities, OVAM, and sustainability partner Deloitte, we took tangible steps to minimise the ecological impact of the event.
Deloitte not only supported the implementation but also provided extensive reporting on the results. This event laid the foundation for Flanders Classics' further sustainability strategy and confirmed the organiser's ambition to host cycling events in a more forward-thinking and environmentally conscious manner.
AGF-certificaat
As part of EK Limburg 2024 vzw, Flanders Classics organised the 2024 UEC Road European Championships in Limburg, with Hasselt and Heusden-Zolder as the host cities. Sustainability was one of the core values of the event, for which a comprehensive sustainability plan was rolled out. Spread over 10 themes, that plan was made up of 100 action points, some of which were more physically evident than others.
A Greener Future, commissioned by the Flemish Government, conducted an impact assessment of the event. As a result of the report, Flanders Classics received the AGF certificate in the “Greener Event - Improvers” category.
The sustainability plan, which is part of the legacy of the 2024 UEC Road European Championships, was used as a blueprint. In other words, it will serve as the foundation for the future sustainability plans of all Flanders Classics events.
UCI Climate Action Award
At the UCI Cycling for All & Sustainability Awards in Copenhagen, Denmark, the 2024 UEC Road European Championships were among the prize winners. Limburg 2024 received the UCI Climate Action Award, earning international recognition once again – after the AGF Certificate – for its sustainability plan.
Our ambition? To be climate neutral by 2035, a journey we will take step by step.
Impact measuring
At Flanders Classics, we believe that measurement is knowledge – and that also applies to sustainability. That’s why we are joining forces with Tapio, a Belgian climate partner that supports organizations and businesses in their transition toward a climate-neutral future.
Together with Tapio, we are systematically mapping the impact of both our internal operations and our events. This impact assessment includes various sources of emissions such as mobility of the audience and participants, energy consumption, catering, material use, and logistical processes. Thanks to this measurement, we gain a detailed overview of our climate impact and learn where the largest sources of emissions lie. These insights form the starting point for developing an effective and targeted reduction strategy.
The first impact assessment will be completed by the end of 2025.
Reporting and evaluation
After the impact assessment, Tapio compiles a clear and structured climate report each year. This report brings together all relevant data and translates it into actionable insights for our organization. Based on this reporting, we evaluate our progress, identify areas for improvement, and set new goals for CO₂ reduction.
The annual evaluation is a crucial part of our sustainability strategy. It enables us not only to work structurally on reducing our emissions but also to communicate transparently about the steps we are taking. Together with Tapio, we strive for a measurable and well-founded sustainability approach for our organization and events, with a long-term perspective.
Partnership with Eneco
Since 2025, Eneco, an ambitious energy supplier, has been one of the Main Partners of the Flanders Classics spring classics. Together with Eneco, Flanders Classics aims to make its events and cycling more sustainable.
Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics: “We are very much looking forward to this collaboration. Together with Eneco, we intend to take things to the next level and make our races greener and more sustainable.”
Bert Clinckers, managing director of Eneco Belgium: “At Eneco, we want to be climate neutral by 2035. Not only with our own operations and our own facilities, but also with our customers. That is a major challenge. Flanders Classics, as the organiser of the biggest Belgian races, has this challenge as too. So we are very happy to work with organisations that share our sustainable vision and want to make it a reality together with us.”
Do you have any questions about the sustainability strategy of Flanders Classics, or are you interested in a collaboration? Feel free to contact sustainability@flandersclassics.be via the button below.
