The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA)is delighted to reveal that its first online fundraiser this year has been a great success. Following the cancellation of the in-person event of ISPO in January, when the association would normally have held a fundraiser to raise money for its conservation projects, the event was moved online to coincide with Earth Day on 22nd April. With the support of a number of EOCA members, the organisation has raised nearly €27,000 to add to this year’s conservation project funding total. (more…)
EOCA Funding Announced for New Conservation Projects
In line with its current Plastic Free: Mountain to Sea focus and its target to clear 3000km of habitat, trail and beach of plastic waste and pollution, all projects concentrated on the removal of plastic pollution from wild areas, in tandem with education and awareness-raising strategies to change habits and practices to stop it getting there in the first place. With nearly 44,000 votes cast for the 14 shortlisted projects over a tense two-week period, three projects were chosen by the general public in an online vote, which was also hosted by Mountainblog.eu and Mountainblog.it. A further three projects were chosen by EOCA members:
Paddling, Cleaning, Teaching, Aprender, Brazil:will raise awareness of the issues of marine plastic pollution amongst local communities and schools as the project travels down the Atlantic Forest Protected Coastal Area on stand up paddleboards! 1000km of beach cleans, activities and events en route will raise awareness and engage 10,000 people to get involved in coastal and marine conservation.
Fishing Plastic: Magdalena River Clean-Up, Fundacion Colombia: This will focus on the cleaning of the main lagoons and beaches in the Chocó-Magdalena-Tumbes Biodiversity Hotspot, through nine ‘Fishing Plastic’ events over 40km. The project will work with fishing villages to improve waste management, run workshops for schools, and plant 5,000 trees to benefit local primate species.
Plastic Free Woodlands, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, UK:Plastic guards are critical to enabling young trees to survive, yet there are now millions of single-use plastic tree tubes littering the UK landscapes, which are disintegrating and polluting soils and waterways. This project will remove redundant tree guards over eight hectares for reuse or recycling, engaging communities and volunteers in tackling the problem, and trialing a number of alternatives.
Stop the Alps becoming Plastic Mountains, Italy: The aim of the A⅃ꟼ project is to safeguard high alpine habitat, by working with mountain huts to eliminate single-use plastic items and develop procedures which can then be shared and implemented with other huts. The project will organise 15 clean-up events to clear 150km of trail and mountain habitat and educate alpine guides, park staff, local schools, and the tourism sector.
Clear the Bay by Day, Morecambe Bay Partnership, UK:Morecambe Bay is the largest intertidal area in the UK, and a national biodiversity hotspot, but an epidemic of personal protective equipment is adding to an ever increasing amount of plastic pollution. The project will work with sporting groups to eliminate single use waste from events and carry out 42 clean ups along 210km of beach, cycleway and trail, involving local groups, visitors, and organisations.
Dos Manos, Save the Med Foundation, Spain:The Balearic Islands are a popular tourist destination and a hotspot for marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean, which is increasingly affected by plastic pollution either through ingestion or entanglement. This project will organise 527km of land and sea clean-ups involving tourists, volunteers, outdoor companies and schools. Workshops will help highlight solutions to plastic pollution issues.
Working in collaboration with The North Face, EOCA has also helped find three projects for the company to support through The North Face Explore Fund, which successfully launched in Europe last year. The 2020 projects are as follows:
Purposeful Adventures, Trash Free Trails, UK: will run 100 clean-up events over 1000km for riders, runners and hikers, involving over 4,000 people during Autumn Litter Watch and Spring Tour de Trash campaigns.
Explore with Purpose, Planet Patrol, Germany:combines 18 litter picking events with water-based adventure activities along rivers and watercourses, encouraging people to get active, whilst simultaneously protecting nature from the harmful effects of litter.
Mountain Clean-Up, Summit Foundation, Italy: will organise 7 clean-up events in mountainous areas of northern Italy, seeking to engage with and educate those taking part about the impact of litter on wildlife and habitats.
A further four projects are being funded by EOCA Summit Members this year:
Conservation of Ringed Seals, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation– this is the fifth year in a row that POMOCAhas funded this organisation, to conserve this threatened population of freshwater seals
Cleaning up the Wadden Sea, Stichting Duik de Noordzee Schoon, The Netherlands– funded by KEEN, this project is running diving expeditions to clean up this World Heritage area of the North Sea following the loss of a large number of containers and cargo from the MSC Zoe in 2019.
Fell Care Days 2020, Friends of the Lake District, UK– conservation days to empower communities to look after their local landscapes around the Lake District National Park, funded by Smartwool
The Tarkine Wilderness Project, Bob Brown Foundation, Australia – Ortovox is funding the creation of an app to help promote the value and significance of this wonderful wild area in an effort to protect its forests from logging.
Tanya Bascombe, Joint General Manager of EOCA said, “It is very exciting to be able to announce some good news, despite everything that is going on around the world at the moment. Each of these projects are undertaking vital conservation work in the fight against the tide of plastic pollution we are all causing, tackling the issues at source and working to stop it getting there in the first place.”
More information on all these projects can be found at this link.
This is a ‘save the date’ so block it off in your calendar. The location of Annecy, the Imperial Palaceas our venue and the collaboration with Outdoor Sports Valley all remain the same.
The desire to meet up and interact has never been more yearned for, and there will be many insights and stories to share a year on from now. We therefore look forward to announcing a new title and theme that reflect the current climate and challenges that we all have to face up to.
In place of the EOS 2020 we are extremely proud to announce SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM, a digital two-day event in partnership with Suston Magazine. During the 18th – 19th November, this virtual get together, will bring you sustainability pioneers and activists from the outdoor community who champion interesting solutions that explore two main themes that are particularly relevant for the outdoor community at this historic point.(more…)
Getting Europe Active … at Home!
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“Lovers of the outdoors across Europe continue to face restrictions in what we can do outside, and when and where we can do it. For now, we must all stay patient and follow the rules. When we eventually emerge from this crisis, the hills, mountains, valleys, parks and coastlines will still be there waiting for us.
In the meantime, we can continue to find ways to be active in and around our homes, exercising the body and mind in all sorts of ways. The outdoor industry has a long record of innovation and imagination and that is really obvious now more than ever. Our #outdoorsathome project has gone from strength to strength in the last month. Use the link below to access loads of inspiration and practical ideas that people of all ages can put into practice at home, wherever they live.(more…)
The rapidly changing global circumstances over the last 2 months unfortunately led to the cancellation of the popular public online vote to help EOCA chose its first funded projects of 2020. However, following a record number of 120 applications late last year, the members’ private vote went ahead as planned over the last 2 weeks, presenting 6 shortlisted projects all looking for support for their vital conservation work. Despite lockdown and working from home, the largest number of EOCA members to date got involved in having their say.
The first three projects to be funded this year are:(more…)
EUROPEAN OUTDOOR SUMMIT POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
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It is with regret that, due to the uncertain current situation with COVID-19, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) has taken the difficult decision to postpone the European Outdoor Summit (EOS) until 2021. The Summit will take place in Annecy, France, in the autumn, and the EOG is currently looking at suitable dates, which will be announced shortly.
This decision has been made as a result of consultation with Outdoor Sports Valley (OSV), the EOS partners for 2020 and the EOG board. Due to the impact that COVID-19 is having on our industry, as well as the different stages of development of the virus in different European countries, combined with the general uncertainty, the EOG believe that the best decision is to postpone the event to ensure its value for all involved. (more…)
EOCA’s Plastic Pledge Makes a Difference at ISPO 2020
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The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is proud to announce that at ISPO 2020, around 85% of its exhibiting members plus 13 non members implemented its Plastic Pledge, avoiding the use of single-use plastic when serving refreshments on their stands. These actions, together with those taken by Messe München, DB Schenker and individual visitors at the show significantly reduced plastic waste from the show.
Prior to OutDoor by ISPO 2019, EOCA launched its Plastic Pledge, calling on exhibitors to reduce their single-use plastic waste produced at the show. The Pledge committed exhibitors to not use or provide single-use plastic bottled drinks, to take all possible measures to avoid single-use plastic food or drink items and to provide a source of drinking water for visitors and staff to use to refill their own bottles and mugs throughout the 4 days. In addition, EOCA provided guidance notes on reducing other single-use plastics associated with attending tradeshows. At OutDoor by ISPO 2019, 60% of EOCA members signed and implemented the Pledge. Interest grew, and EOCA was delighted that by ISPO 2020, around 85% of EOCA members had signed the Pledge, as well as 13 non-members of EOCA. In addition, many individual visitors signed up to support the Pledge on the EOCA stand and many more purchased reusable bottles, cups and flasks to use around the show and beyond.
Camelbak and Klean Kanteen served fabulous coffee at the show – but only into reusable cups. In total, they served around 2000 coffees and so saved 2000 single-use cups being used. EOCA worked with Messe München who supported the aims of the Pledge by providing access to kitchens in all halls for washing of reusable items and installed hydration stations in half of the halls. Single-use carpet at the show was also reduced, a move that EOCA very much supports and hopes to see reduce further at future shows.
DB Schenker is responsible for storing all of the boxes of products generously donated to EOCA by its members for sale at the shows and then transporting them to and from the EOCA booth. Traditionally, these boxes are shrink wrapped for the journey on the pallet trolley between the storage area and the stand. Prior to the show, EOCA asked DB Schenker if reusable items could be used to secure the boxes and were delighted when they immediately agreed. In fact no materials were used to secure the boxes stacked safely on the trolley. It is estimated that this saved 5kg of single-use shrink wrap being used. As well as reducing plastic waste, this has reduced our carbon footprint at the show. Not using 5kg of shrink wrap saves the production of 13kg of carbon dioxide equivalent*. One tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent is estimated to be around the size of a hot air balloon. It is easy to see how the various actions taken at this show through the plastic pledge will have saved many carbon emission equivalents, and more importantly, how we can reduce many hot air balloons of carbon emission equivalents by expanding the actions we all take to reduce single-use plastic use at this and other shows.(more…)
Two days of presentations, activities and networking. Announcement of Annecy, France being the host for EOS 2020
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A resounding success for its seventh consecutive year, theEuropean Outdoor Summit (EOS) has proven a hit once again with delegates, sponsors and partners alike; delivering another engaging, challenging and inspiring programme over the course of two days. The Summit finale announced Annecy, France as the host location for EOS 2020.
The EOS 2019, which took place in Interlaken Switzerland from 26th-27th September, brought together over 200 high calibre leaders in the outdoor industry from across Europe and beyond. Presentations and breakout sessions followed the theme:
The Outdoor Industry – Redefining Boundaries, with speakers touching on topics such as social innovation, biotechnology, global sharing, industry case studies and forging new collaborations.
The Summit was compered by Wolfgang Greiner from EOS media partner The Outdoor Industry Compass and presentations were kicked off by Futurist Anne Skare Nielsen, who gave an amusing, engaging, challenging and optimistic keynote about “Why the next 10 years will be amazing’.
The second keynote speaker Pippa Goodman from Foresight Factory then shared some of the latest research on the changing boundaries of engagement – offering essential insights for outdoor businesses.
Delegates were treated to an insight into the evolution of adventure filmmaking and the world of Kendal Mountain Festival from festival director Steve Scott, who showed two inspiring short films, while an educational keynote from Chris Doyle of the Adventure Travel Trade Association gave delegates insight on how to access gear-hungry, passport-wielding adventure travellers!
Day two saw a great start with Benita Matofska from The Sharing Economy who delivered a thought-provoking keynote with positive insights into change-making and how outdoor businesses should engage with the sharing economy. During her presentation, five volunteers committed to be change-makers in their companies. They were each given a copy of Benita’s book ‘GenerationShare’ and each asked to pledge to get five other people to buy the book. Every copy is produced from waste, educates a girl in the slums in Mumbai and plants a tree.
Two more keynote speakers completed the first session with thought provoking presentations: Tomas Vucurevic of BRAIND on ingredient brands and collaboration; and Jeppe Thorgersen on the Silkeborg Project to embed outdoor into local government strategy.
Towards the end of day two Donna Carpenter, CEO of Burton Snowboards urged the outdoor industry to do more and do better in its efforts to address some big challenges and issues and declared that “passion without purpose is meaningless.”
The final keynote speaker at this year’s Summit was mountaineer and quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew. Jamie shared the incredible and very moving story of how he rebuilt his life and resumed his outdoor adventures after a terrible climbing incident that left him with life changing injuries and claimed the life of his best friend. His emotional and inspiring story received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd of delegates.
Each day kicked off with an early morning Tai Chi and run activity delivered by sponsors Vibram and ISPO to invigorate delegates ahead of a busy day and throughout the two days there was plenty of time for networking during the breaks.
There was ample opportunity to unwind and relax at Thursday night’s Networking Evening dinner, where delegates were treated to traditional Swiss Alphorn and flag throwing entertainment. Later they enjoyed a box of popcorn courtesy of headline sponsor IWA, while watching some inspirational films from Kendal Mountain Festival. These included an uplifting short film on the National Brotherhood of Skiers, which encourages greater ethnic diversity within snowsports.
‘Once a year at the EOS we encourage outdoor industry leaders away from their busy work schedule to introduce and discuss topics that are approaching our sector from the horizon, look at current and future challenges, opportunities and last but not least, to network. This year’s edition in the EOG‘s homeland, Switzerland, proved again that there is a great appetite to think outside of the box in our sector. Many exciting and challenging topics were touched upon and new connections were made. A big thank you to all the delegates who came out to Interlaken, to our sponsors who make this whole event possible and of course to the EOG team working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth event. See you all next year in Annecy!’ Arne Strate, General Secretary, EOG.
EOS 2020 Annecy, France will take place from 15-16 October and details about how to book will be made available in due course. For more information about the Summit, visit www.europeanoutdoorsummit.com.
New speaker added to the line up, Summit activities & final timetable released.
With just two weeks to go until the European Outdoor Summit (EOS) takes place from 26th to 27th September 2019 in Interlaken Switzerland, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) is pleased to announce the final timetable, activities taking place at the Summit, plus a new speaker to the line-up.
INSPIRATIONAL & INTERESTING SPEAKERS. The final speaker added to this year’s line-up who will explore this year’s Summit theme: The Outdoor Industry – Redefining Boundaries, is Malcolm Newbery of Malcolm Newbery Consulting, who presents his keynote: Redefining your Supply Chain for Today’s World.
Clothing is seasonal and fashionable. In today’s world, the fashion industry has changed its supply chains from rigid to reactive, from slow to ultra fast. Has the outdoor clothing sector a right to ignore these changes? Or must it come to terms with them, in spite of its inherent difficulties? Malcolm will also present a breakout session: Omni-Channel Pricing, Sourcing & Stock Control, which follows on from his keynote.
Most of us are now operating in a multi or omni-channel manner. Many of us have not yet grasped the issues, yet alone dealt with them! In this breakout, I challenge you to address the three issues: (more…)
One Month Until EOS 2019. Last chance to book your place.
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With just one month to go until the European Outdoor Summit (EOS) kicks off in Interlaken Switzerland, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) is pleased to announce the addition of new speakers to the timetable.
Click herefor the most up-to-date agenda of speakers, presentations and activities for the Summit.
The EOS takes place from 26th to 27th September 2019 at the Congress Centre, Kursaal Interlaken, so there is still plenty of time to book your place.
Book now to join over 250 high calibre leaders in the outdoor industry from across Europe and beyond. BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE.
The theme for this year’s Summit is The Outdoor Industry – Redefining Boundaries, with speakers touching on topics such as social innovation, biotechnology, global sharing, industry case studies and forging new collaborations. (more…)
EOG is an association set up to represent the common interests of the European outdoor industry. Originally founded in 2003 by nineteen of the world’s largest Outdoor companies, this group recognised the need for a cohesive, cross border approach to representation of the outdoor sector. We live in a world of increasing internationalism, where legislation, environment, the media and trade are all now multinational issues. The combined strength of EOG member brands, and a close cooperation with national outdoor associations, provides them with an extremely powerful force to represent the European outdoor industry in a constructive and positive manner.
What EOG does? EOG undertakes a number of efforts that will prove to be beneficial to the European industry. Initiatives include: representative market survey, industry workshops, collaboration with European trade shows, co-operation with national trade associations, promotion of best practice.
The Summit is an initiative of the European Outdoor Group (EOG), the association set up to represent the common interests of the European outdoor industry.
As a pan-European organisation the EOG is uniquely placed to support the Summit, which will be held in alternate years in different countries. The national outdoor groups representing these countries will organise each Summit, allowing each event to assume its own identity, content and experience, but with the Summit remaining open to all.
