In 2026, we are replacing the traditional flower bouquets awarded to champions with something that will continue to grow long after the final race has finished.
For every champion crowned during the Championships, a native tree will be planted, creating a living legacy of approximately 130 trees.
To ensure the best conditions for growth and survival, the trees will be planted during the appropriate planting season, in October and November 2026.
The planting event will be shared through our official communication channels and social media platforms, allowing athletes and supporters to follow the development of the project.
Each champion will receive a symbolic tree-shaped token made from recycled cardboard, bearing a unique identification number.
Through this website, athletes will be able to track the progress of their tree and remain connected to the environmental legacy created through their achievement.
The Champions Forest represents our commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and responsible event management.
More importantly, it serves as a reminder that sporting success can inspire positive change beyond the finish line.
Every tree planted will stand as a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and respect for the natural environment that makes our sport possible.
Every champion leaves a living legacy.
To help reduce waste and minimise the use of single-use plastics, reusable water bottles will be provided to all athletes, team staff, and members of the Organising Committee.
In addition, filtered drinking water stations connected directly to the public water supply network will be available in all boat hangars and restaurant areas throughout the venue.
This initiative will encourage the use of refillable bottles while significantly reducing the need for disposable plastic containers and large 20-litre water dispensers.
Another important step in our waste reduction strategy is the reuse of materials from previous events.
Accreditation kit bags will be produced from banners and event canvases used in past competitions, giving these materials a second life instead of sending them to waste.
Each bag will be unique, reflecting the history of previous championships while demonstrating how creative reuse can contribute to a more circular and sustainable approach to event organisation.
We have also implemented the long-term reuse of event uniforms.
Since the 2025 Canoe Marathon European Championships, the Organising Committee has adopted a generic #CanoePortugal uniform design rather than producing event-specific clothing for each competition.
This approach allows the same uniforms to be used across multiple international events, significantly reducing textile consumption, production-related emissions, and waste.
The 2026 PEU Canoe Sprint Championships will already be the third major championship delivered using these uniforms.
Dedicated recycling stations will be available in key areas, helping athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators to dispose of waste responsibly.
Canoe Sprint is a sport that depends on healthy waterways and well-preserved natural environments.
As hosts of the 2026 PEU Canoe Sprint Championships, we recognise our responsibility to protect and respect the unique ecosystem that surrounds the competition venue in Montemor-o-Velho.
Throughout the planning and delivery of the Championships, environmental considerations are integrated into our decision-making processes.
We work to minimise the impact of event operations, promote responsible behaviour among participants and visitors, and encourage respect for local wildlife, vegetation, and water resources.
The natural surroundings of the venue are home to a variety of wildlife, including several white stork nests located along the access road to the event venue.
These impressive nests can be seen high on the utility poles that line the entrance route, and we invite all participants and visitors to observe these remarkable birds in their natural habitat.
Their presence is a visible reminder of the rich biodiversity that coexists with our sport and of the importance of protecting these environments for future generations.
By reducing waste, promoting reuse, supporting sustainable practices, and investing in initiatives such as the Champions Forest, we aim to contribute positively to the environment that makes our sport possible.
Our goal is not only to organise a successful championship, but also to help ensure that future generations of athletes can continue to enjoy and compete in clean, healthy, and thriving natural surroundings.