Sustainability at the 2025 WRU19 Championships – Trakai, Lithuania – Event website 

In Balance with Nature: World Rowing – bloomUp Biodiversity Pilot Project

As part of World Rowing’s commitment to sustainability, a new biodiversity-focused pilot project is being introduced in collaboration with bloomUp, an environmental agency. Using the Biodiversity Compass tool, the project will evaluate and enhance the ecological impact of rowing events, with a focus on water health and biodiversity preservation.

The 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai has been selected as one of two pilot events for this initiative. The local Organising Committee (OC) is working closely with the World Rowing and bloomUp teams to test and co-develop practical strategies that align sport with nature.

Dr. Jurgita Čestauskaitė from Kaunas University of Technology is leading the data collection efforts. Additional support comes from regional stakeholders, including the Lithuanian Fund and the State Research Institute Nature Research Centre (GTC), who are contributing existing environmental data.

The project commenced with an online stakeholder meeting on July 23rd and will continue with an on-site Value Creation Workshop on August 5th during the championships.

The final outcome will include a Biodiversity Impact Report and a Legacy Plan, designed to guide future rowing events towards a more nature-conscious approach.

More details can be found here (document)

Local Action: Foundation for Peatland Restoration and Conservation

The local NGO, Foundation for Peatland Restoration and Conservation brings together peatland scientists across Lithuania, working to protect and restore vital peatland ecosystems. They participated in the “Healthy Waters Webinar: Protecting & Restoring Our Waters – The Baltic Sea and Freshwater in Latvia and Lithuania”, co-hosted with WWF Latvia on July 28th.

Watch the full webinar recording here (link).

Join them onsite at the Spectator Area on Saturday, August 9th, for a short learning session on peatland conservation. A live demonstration will take place from 12:30–13:00 during the lunch break.

As part of this collaboration, a third phase will see youth rowers from the Lithuanian Rowing Federation participate in hands-on peatland restoration on October 4th, bringing the learning full circle into local action.

Carbon Footprint Measurement

In partnership with Kaunas University of Technology, a preliminary carbon footprint analysis has been conducted for the event. This assessment considered expected team arrivals and ground transportation logistics. By quantifying these carbon emissions, event organisers can make informed decisions, implement meaningful reduction strategies, and demonstrate leadership in climate-conscious event planning. It is a critical step toward a more sustainable future for sport and the planet.

Tree Planting Ceremony: “Forest of Nations”

To help balance the environmental impact, research suggests that around 225 trees would be needed to offset this event’s footprint over 40 years, each tree absorbing about 1 tonne of CO₂ in that period. For immediate (1-year) offset, over 11,000 trees would be required.

These findings were developed with Dr. Inga Stasiulaitienė, Associate Professor at Kaunas University of Technology.

In response, the “Forest of Nations” initiative will be launched with a ceremonial tree planting event on August 8th at 14:00. The ceremony will feature Mindaugas Griškonis, President of the Lithuanian Rowing Federation, and Andrius Šatevičius, Mayor of Trakai as well as World Rowing President, Jean-Christophe Rolland

Additional Sustainability Efforts by the Organising Committee

Sustainability is a key pillar in the planning and delivery of the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships. The Organising Committee has partnered with local suppliers for all event materials to reduce transportation emissions and support the regional economy. Additionally, electric vehicles provided by our mobility partners are being used to ensure greener on-site logistics. Every decision – from sourcing to mobility – reflects our commitment to hosting a championship that respects nature and sets an example for future sporting events.