By Thomas Renggli (text) and Valeriano Di Domenico (photos)
Davos, just before Christmas. The snow lies like a white blanket over the landscape. The firs look as if powdered sugar has been sprinkled on them.
But it’s not the winter idyll that draws the crowd to the Landwasser valley this weekend. As part of the World Cup, Davos Nordic takes part in the program, the traditional match of the best cross-country skiers.
This is an event that seeks to convey much more than top-notch sports performance, but rather demonstrates that these two aspects of life can be combined: world-class sports and ecological sustainability.
Snow from last January
It basically starts with snow production, which is the essence of winter sports and the basis of every competition. Peter Engler, Chairman of the Organizing Committee this year, describes this aspect and his collaboration with BKW as “key to the concept”: “We make the snow in January when it’s cold and dry, and then we put it in during the summer.”
“Snow farm” is the name of the principle, in which the precious white is hidden under a 50-centimeter-thick layer of sawdust, and only 20 percent of its volume is lost despite a long time. “If we were to technically produce snow in the fall, it would be very energy intensive,” Engler says.
The Davos Nordic sustainability concept also includes shifting mobility from the road to the rails. Engler: “We provide free shuttle service from the train station so that the public can use the train.”
There are also incentives for visitors with electric cars. At the entrance of the village, there are six electric vehicle charging stations that visitors can use free of charge. Electricity is generated from 100 percent renewable energy from Davos.
The organizers did not overlook another aspect. Thanks to PV systems and wooden construction, BKW stands are self-sufficient and ecologically neutral. Wherever possible, food comes from local producers and is served in reusable or compostable containers. Waste comes in separate containers. Auxiliaries’ clothes are only renewed every four to five years. “So everybody does their fair share,” Engler says.
Best runner Baumann: “Set a good example”
Jonas Baumann (32), the best cross-country skier from Graubünden, who has lived in Davos with his family for 17 years, became aware of the ecological aspect of Davos Nordic while studying sports management at the University of Applied Sciences in Graubünden. And he is impressed by the efforts of the organizers: “Precisely because the effort is not always worthwhile from an economic point of view.” He is personally committed to sustainability because as a top athlete he travels a lot and therefore “unfortunately” leaves a large footprint. But privately he tries to reduce it: “We have two little girls. I want to set a good example so that our grandchildren can experience winter sports one day.”
If possible, use public transport or bike. He and his family make sure they don’t leave the lights on unnecessarily. Baumann also pays close attention to nutrition: “If we eat meat, it comes from organic livestock or my sister’s organic farm. We plan our purchases well to avoid food waste. And we don’t throw away food just because it’s expired.” His wife also grows her own vegetables in the raised bed.
Cyclist Reusser: ‘It should be the new normal’
Even professional cyclist Marlen Reusser, a two-time European champion in the individual time trials, knows he can never be a good role model as a top athlete: “Every time I get on a plane, I get nervous inside.” The 31-year-old doctor is also more committed to basic sports skills for a more sustainable and ecological society in the political scene. He chaired the Bern cantonal party of the Young Greens from 2008 to 2009, ten years later he was on the board of the Emmental Greens. Today he self-critically says: “Our way of life is absurd. We must take great strides, both as a society and as individuals. Otherwise, sooner or later we are heading towards an ecological disaster.”
Against this background, an event like Davos Nordic has an important “signal function” because it shows people that something can be achieved even on a small scale. “Actually, this must be the new normal,” says Reusser. He himself tries to leave as few traces as possible in everyday life: “I always have a knife and fork with me so that I do not have to rely on disposable cutlery.”
That’s why she appreciates the thoughtfulness of everything at Davos, including the lighting. Peter Engler and his team rely on energy-neutral solar lights from Curea Elektro AG, which is part of the BKW network: “The lights allow supervisors and assistants to do their work after dark.”
This is how Davos Nordic plays a leading role and relies on BKW’s sustainability tool. Peter Engler: “The organizers can access this through an online platform. We record everything from the electricity we consume during the event to the food. After the event, we get a detailed assessment of whether we’ve made progress in sustainability since the last event and where there is still potential.” This is an excellent proof of the event. Thanks to the collaboration with BKW, Davos Nordic is on the road to success in terms of sustainability – also because the event is leaving less and less of a mark.