About

Arendal Longboarding is an association of people who use longboard as a way of transport an promoting a fun and healthy hobby in the climate neutral city of Arendal in Norway. They want all their members to get increased quality of life and focus on the real values in life which you get from friends, family and nature - not goods.

The organization was established since they believe it is important to show one can have fun, and at the same time be green. In order to reach out to young people, sports and hobbies are often a very good entrance.  All the founders have been working for or are working with UNEP. Living in Arendal which is the UN city of Norway and is a climate neutral city, they found it natural to try and start an activity which would help convey the message of sustainability and carbon neutrality.

Strategy

Arendal Longboarding want to be climate neutral and have a good starting point since they use longboards as a means of transport. They will calculate the emmissions in accordance with GHG to establish the total emmissions for the board over its lifetime. They are not allowed to use car or any motorized vehicle to get to their gatherings. The emmissions they find will be compensated through CER's arriving from a CDM project which has a god additionality.

Their climate neutral strategy for the first year is:

• Show how sport and environment can be used to promote sustainability thinking.
• Estimating their annual carbon footprint including all members.
• Raising awareness on their website on their activities towards carbon neutrality.
• Searching and choosing partners and suppliers who are driven by sustainability.

Walk the talk - All members of the organization will get help to:

• Evaluate how one can save energy and reduce waste at home and in the office. Several tools and NGO’s offer this service in Norway, but awareness raising and capacity building is needed.
• Reduce paper usage by implementing use of preview before printing, print on both pages, us Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) paper, recycle all used paper.
• Buy locally produced products, focus on fair-trade and eco products.
• Focus on reducing waste to a minimum and recycle everything.
• Travel as little as possible and use public transport when travelling. Longboarding, walking, bicycling are good for your health and the environment.

Activities

• Arendal Longboarding organizes one gathering every week to enjoy longboarding.
• In all they do and what they stand for they convey sustainability thinking.
• They organize social events like dinners, barbeques and parties where they prepare, serve food and drink which sets a good  example of ecological and environmental focus.
• Visits to school and youth activities to show it is cool to be green.
• Get media focus on our activities to reach out to as many as possible.

Photo Gallery