Our social commitments
France is set to host the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, which will be organised around a competition model that is unprecedented on the international stage. The France2025 tournament will include the men’s, women’s wheelchair and youth (U19) competitions. Our model supports the principle of sustainable growth and fits perfectly into the ‘legacy’ plan set in motion by three preceding major international sporting events: Courchevel Méribel 2023, France 2023 and Paris 2024.
We believe that sport is for all, an activity that promotes the values of universality and social cohesion, has a positive impact at the national and regional levels and is fully aligned with global climate goals. This is why France2025 has set itself the ambition to become the first major international sporting event with a set social and environmental purpose.
Adopted in 2019, France’s ‘Pacte’ law gave companies the opportunity to define a purpose that is aligned with social and environmental objectives. This status is granted by an independent third party which then regularly verifies that the company is respecting its obligations.
We have initiated the process for obtaining this status in view of becoming the first International Major Sporting Event ‘à Mission’. We believe that it’s vital to define a new international sporting event standard to manage its ecological footprint and have a positive impact on its entire community.
Reducing our carbon footprint
We want this World Cup to have the smallest possible impact on the environment which is why we are doing what we can to curb our greenhouse gas emissions.
This goal aligns with the Paris Climate Accords (goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to 1990 levels). Our strategy has three phases:
- Calculate our carbon footprint,
- Reduce our emissions,
- Offset incompressible emissions.
To this end, we are focusing our efforts on two key areas. Transport, which accounts for at least 80% of greenhouse gases emitted during a sports event according to French environment and energy management agency ADEME. For example, we are committed to domestic transport and promoting soft transport measures for all. We are also working to reduce our digital footprint by promoting digital sobriety and the use of green energy.
Supporting employability
To ensure this World Cup is an opportunity for our youth, we have partnered up with AFDAS, France’s skills agency for sports.
Our objective is to make sure young people can enrol on a work-study programme in the events, sports management, tourism and CSR sectors by 2025. These young trainees will be welcomed on to our organisation committee as well as the French Rugby League Federation, in the leagues and in the clubs.
Hosting a World Cup for all
Combining four competitions into one single tournament was an obvious step to take, with the wheelchair, women’s, men’s and youth cups hosted simultaneously.
We want to honour the feats of all the athletes taking part, by putting them all on an equal footing.
We will also ensure our World Cup is accessible to the greatest number by offering tickets at an average price of €30, holding matches in about 20 towns and cities, and making stadiums fully accessible.
We are organising France2025 in conjunction with each host city through local hosting committees to make this event a celebration that every member of the public can get involved in.
Promoting low-carbon and sustainable eating
Completely local and seasonal products will be served at all competition venues to showcase the incredible gastronomy and culture of our host cities. We will be actively combating food waste with the introduction of an innovative recycling system.
This action will also include implementing a sustainable procurement policy for our partners. It is through these efforts that the entire France2025 ecosystem will show its commitment to a virtuous food model.