How much CO₂ could your federation save?
Compare the carbon footprint of physical medals and printed certificates against digital awards, using the methodology behind the IOC/WBSC sustainability case.
Reference case
4,000 t → 0.5 t
WBSC replaced physical awards with digital recognition across its championships. The result — 4,000 t to 0.5 t CO₂e — was featured in the IOC IF Sustainability Case Study.
See the WBSC case →Estimates based on 2030 Calculator product carbon footprint data. Selected model: Olympic medal (gold 708.18 kg CO₂e, silver/bronze 469.42 kg CO₂e), printed certificate 0.02 kg CO₂e, digital award 0.4 g CO₂e.
Medal mix assumption for the unified input: one gold plus two silver/bronze medals per podium set.
Available models: Olympic (708.18 / 469.42), Premium (58.45 / 58.45), Standard (0.78 / 0.78). Printed certificate: 0.02.
Methodology snapshot
This calculator compares three physical medal models and two printed certificate models against a digital award baseline of 0.4 g CO₂e per unit.
Medal models
Olympic medal
708.18
gold / unit (silver-bronze: 469.42)
Premium medal
58.45
kg CO₂e per unit
Standard medal
0.78
kg CO₂e per unit
Digital award
0.0004
kg CO₂e per unit (0.4 g)
Printed certificate models
Participation certificate
0.02
kg CO₂e per printed certificate
Clinics/Training certificate
0.02
kg CO₂e per printed certificate
Digital certificate
0.0004
kg CO₂e per unit (0.4 g)
These figures are based on the 2030 Calculator product carbon footprint methodology, combining three physical medal models in this calculator: Olympic, Premium, and Standard, plus printed certificates for Participation and Clinics/Training.
| Award type | CO₂e per unit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic gold medal | 708.18 kg | 2030 Calculator |
| Olympic silver/bronze medal | 469.42 kg | 2030 Calculator |
| Premium medal | 58.45 kg | 2030 Calculator |
| Standard medal | 0.78 kg | 2030 Calculator |
| Printed certificate | 0.02 kg | 2030 Calculator |
| Digital award | 0.0004 kg (0.4 g) | 2030 Calculator |
IOC/WBSC sustainability study
Request the original study behind these numbers
See how WBSC reduced estimated award emissions from 4,000 t to 0.5 t CO₂e and got featured by the IOC.
Comparison
Digital awards vs physical awards
CO₂, cost, delivery, scalability, and capabilities — the full side-by-side comparison.
Case studies
See how federations are using digital awards
WBSC, Panam Sports / APC, and FISU — three real programs at different scales.
Want a detailed assessment for your federation?
We'll map digital awards to your event calendar, delivery needs, and sustainability reporting goals.