For the first time in its history, the International Skating Union (ISU) is launching the ISU Sustainability Awards, inviting skaters, Member Federations, ice rink facilities and event hosts to showcase their initiatives, celebrate those making a tangible difference in sustainability and inspiring change across the skating community with financial prizes available to support further action.
The inaugural 2026 Awards will recognize initiatives that are helping shape a more sustainable future for the sport, from skaters championing environmental action to ice rink facilities developing innovative practices and Member Federations embedding sustainability into their operations.
Beyond celebrating achievements, the Awards aim to encourage practical implementation of the ISU Sustainability Strategy, sharing good practices across the skating community and making sustainability an integral part of event management and sport development.
Applications will be assessed against the three pillars of the ISU Sustainability Strategy – Environment, Social and Economic – and its four strategic priorities: Ice Rinks, Circularity & Carbon, Nature and Community.
Judges will evaluate projects against six criteria:
The aim is not only to recognize what has already been achieved, but also to encourage initiatives that can inspire others and drive continuous improvement across the sport.
The ISU Sustainability Awards 2026 categories are:
ISU Skater Sustainability Advocacy Award
ISU Ice Rink Facility Practices and Innovation Award
ISU Event Hosting Member Award
ISU Member Federation Best Practice Award
For all four categories, applicants must specify in their submission how the prize money would be used to support sustainability initiatives. All submitted initiatives and activities must have taken place during the 2026 calendar year to be eligible for consideration.
Elladj Balde, Canadian former competitive Figure Skater and member of the ISU Environmental Sustainability Working Group, highlights the close connection between skating and the natural environment: “Sustainability in competitive skating is about recognizing that the sport we love exists within a much bigger ecosystem. Ice has always been our canvas, but the more time I spend skating on wild ice, the more I understand how deeply connected we are to the environment that creates it. Skating on a frozen lake, surrounded by mountains, wind and open sky, has given me a completely different relationship with ice and made me realize how vulnerable it is.”
“The ISU Sustainability Award is an important step in recognizing the people and initiatives within our community who are helping move our sport forward. I hope it inspires more of us to think creatively about how we can contribute and, together, continue building a more sustainable ecosystem for FIgure Skating.”
ISU Event Hosting Member Award
ISU Member Federation Best Practice Award