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.
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.
Our ambition? To be climate neutral by 2035, a journey we will take step by step.
Impact measuring
Flanders Classics wants to measure the impact of its efforts. Based on a comprehensive review of the sustainability plan, an independent agency will provide recommendations with regard to further actions that can be undertaken to make our events even more sustainable. The measuring and sustainability support will consist of the following elements:
- Screening and advice regarding the sustainability plan
- Qualitative and quantitative sustainability assessment
- Targeted advice per dimension
- Evaluation framework and scoring system
- Calculation of the CO2 emissions
The baseline measurement will take place in 2025.
Reporting and evaluation
At Flanders Classics, we see reporting and evaluation as essential elements of our sustainability strategy. By analysing our efforts each year and comparing results, we continually learn and identify areas for improvement. Transparency is at the heart of our approach: we share our progress openly with partners, participants and fans so that, together, we can move towards a sustainable future.
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.
