LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Thursday, November 14, 2024) - Today, the World Surf League (WSL), and non-profit partner, WSL PURE, unveiled the Annual Purpose and Impact Report. The report highlights the year-long efforts led by the WSL and WSL PURE to advance environmental initiatives, including ocean conservation, coastal restoration, and the amplification of ocean advocates across the globe alongside partners, grantees, and the world's best surfers.
Beyond Surfing with WSL's Sustainability Initiatives and Community Engagement Efforts
Throughout the 2024 season, WSL One Ocean amplified and elevated ocean conservation and sustainability efforts through partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous and First Nations voices, WSL PURE Grantees, and local impact partners across the globe. This year, the WSL worked with 4,536 volunteers and 3,504 youth during education and engagement initiatives.
WSL One Ocean creates opportunities for athletes to engage with local communities and organizations during various impact projects throughout the year. This season the WSL hosted 17 impact projects at each Championship Tour stop, including Margaret River in Australia and Saquarema in Brazil. Each impact project is curated to support and amplify local organization's environmental and social impact initiatives. Ahead of each competition, the world's best surfers, volunteers, and local organizations share the same mission and passion for ocean conservation and sustainability for coastal communities. For example, at this year's Margaret River Pro, the WSL teamed up with WSL PURE grantee, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, to host a day of coastal restoration and education with a group of local coastal ambassadors, and WSL surfers, including, Brisa Hennessy (CRC), Liam O'Brien (AUS), Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), and Cole Houshmand (USA).
Since 2018, the WSL has measured, reduced, and offset emissions from the WSL Championship Tour and WSL operations. In total, from 2018 through 2023, the WSL has offset 29,067 tonnes of CO2 emissions (mtCO2e), which is equivalent to planting and growing 480,625 trees for 10 years (EPA).
In 2024, WSL One Ocean partners and grantees restored thousands of native plants, removed over 20 tons of trash from beaches and rivers, and restored tens of thousands of hectares of land. For more detailed summaries, please view the 2024 Purpose and Impact Report.
WSL One Ocean Recognized by United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration as an Official Actor
This year, the United Nations Environmental Program recognized WSL One Ocean as an Actor for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The UN has proclaimed the year 2021 through 2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a decade dedicated to creating a united effort toward implementing sustainable solutions for the world's ecosystems and ocean. Through this recognition, WSL One Ocean joins leading organizations and agencies committed to ecosystem restoration for a sustainable future. Together the coalition provides a platform to drive climate action and to foster resilient ecosystems.
For the second year at the VIVO Rio Pro, WSL One Ocean and Conservation International collaborated with Instituto APRENDER Ecologia and WSL PURE to host a UN Decade-recognized impact project. WSL surfers, local youth, and community members teamed up to clean the lagoon and engage in coastal restoration activities.
"Sports are a powerful tool for creating awareness and bringing in energy and supporters into the global movement to heal our nature and planet. Therefore, the UN Decade is thrilled to welcome the World Surf League and its WSL One Ocean initiative into its network of partners," said Natalia Alekseevam, Coordinator, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. "Connecting the world's surfers and their fans with other like-minded actors and opportunities has tremendous power in scaling up restoration waves and actions for our ocean and coastline ecosystems."
WSL One Ocean's impact projects, partnerships, and support for grantees in 2024 contributed to positive impact on ecosystems and communities around the world, but the WSL recognizes there is more work to be done. In 2025, WSL One Ocean aims to deepen its environmental efforts, strengthen support for ocean advocates, and empower coastal communities.
WSL One Ocean is proudly supported by global partners SHISEIDO, YETI; regional partners, Corona, Hydralyte, and Lexus; and WSL PURE grantees and WSL One Ocean coalition partners.
View the WSL's 2024 Purpose & Impact Report.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com/WSLOneOcean.