A Message from Achim Steiner UNEP Executive Director at the closing ceremony of G-ForSE 2006, held at the Olympic Museum, Lausanne on 1 December.

Failure to slow down global warming, and to adapt to its already apparent effects, will make dealing with all other environment and development challenges that much harder. The Torino [Winter Olympics] experience and the Green Goal [FIFA World Cup in Germany] legacy both show that there are many ways that we can make a difference.

Offsetting emissions by investing in reforestation and afforestation schemes makes an important contribution, and on that note I encourage everyone to get involved in UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign.

Even more important is investing in energy efficiency and the use of clean and renewable fuels. This covers everything from using solar panels in stadium design to sustainable transport initiatives such as we saw this year in Germany, and that are planned for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It is important that we use the opportunities provided by the infrastructure improvements that major sports events bring to embed environmental consciousness further into the minds of local governments and city planners wherever we can.

Climate change is not the only environmental challenge. How we use water is another major issue. Declining availability and quality of freshwater resources are relevant to all regions and all sectors. It is important that we use our water resources more efficiently. Again, we have the examples to build on: rainwater harvesting; re-use of grey water; waterless urinals in stadiums; using raw water to irrigate golf courses, as well as planting less thirsty varieties of grasses and trees.

Let's make sure we take all the examples that are available, make use of them and publicize them so others can follow.

How we deal with waste generation and disposal is another important issue. Yesterday I was at the closing of the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes, which highlighted the hazardous wastes generated by the electronic and computer industries. All the waste products created in our daily lives need to be minimized and, where possible, recycled or reused. Again, there are good examples to build on that have been brought to the table at this Global Forum for Sport and Environment.

Dear friends, ‚—e all have a part to play in addressing these environmental issues, and I am glad to see that sporting goods manufacturers and organizers of major sporting events are increasingly playing a role and looking at their own responsibility for environmental care.