Second top award for Upper Austria Ladies Linz

The award was given because Upper Austria Ladies Linz is a role model for the industry with a broad impact and important sustainable measures are implemented creatively and innovatively. The coveted award certificate was presented to tournament director Sandra Reichel by Vice Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler and Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (both from the Green Party). 

"Green events make an important contribution to a good environment. They rely on climate-friendly travel, ensure more regional, organic and fair-trade food and beverages are on offer, and thus support the local economy. By using reusable systems, they also actively avoid waste. This saves valuable resources and is good for the climate. Congratulations and a big thank you to all the sustainable organizers and associations," said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler.
 
"It is very motivating to see the importance that climate protection and sustainability now have in the clubs and among the event organizers. That's why the award-winning Green Events are particularly important examples of best practice. Their exemplary character will make a significant contribution to a sustainable sports, culture and event scene in Austria. With their commitment, they show how sustainability can be practically implemented at events, but also in everyday club life," emphasized Vice Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler. 

At the award ceremony in Vienna, Tournament Director Sandra Reichel was particularly pleased about this recognition of the tournament, which took place in February 2023 at the Design Center Linz: "The 'Green Event' certification was a very special concern for me. Together with the topics of young talent, inclusion and the empowerment of women in our society, the area of sustainability is a supporting pillar in our overall concept. This year, our team succeeded in breaking new ground in these segments. I am of course all the more pleased that these efforts are now also receiving such great recognition," said Sandra Reichel.

Since 2011, the "Sustainable Winning" competition has honored these special events with exemplary character in Austria. Parties, cultural and sporting events as well as sports clubs with a special focus on sustainability can participate. The competition is a project of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sports (BMKÖS), the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) and the nine federal states. In 2022/23, a total of 163 events from all over Austria participated, including 40 sports events and 16 sports clubs.

For the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, as mentioned at the beginning, this is already the second major award as a Green Event! Already at the beginning of June, the WTA tournament, which has become Austria's most important women's sporting event, was honored with the silver medal for its commitment to sustainability at Europe's largest sports business event, the SPOBIS Conference in Düsseldorf.