John Suhar is the VP of Environmental and Social Impact at World Surf League (WSL) and oversees initiatives across WSL’s global operations, tours and events. In addition, he helps direct WSL’s nonprofit partner, WSL PURE. In this dual capacity, John is driving WSL to improve sustainability at events and operations, while bringing integrated environmental and social programming to the millions of WSL fans who tune in around the world.
John’s leadership and partnership across the business has had strategic and meaningful impact on WSL, and has uniquely positioned WSL as a leader in sustainability across global sports through the WSL One Ocean initiative. Under John’s tenure, he has helped lead WSL to multiple firsts — including leading the carbon accounting process and reducing emissions by 49% from baseline year and neutralizing Scope 1-3 greenhouse gas emissions of WSL operations and events. In addition, John developed event sustainability guidelines and procedures that have led to a 70% reduction in waste from the 2018 baseline. John has helped align global sustainability sponsors to secure revenue for WSL, while also growing and stewarding relationships with Indigenous peoples and local communities and over 100 environmental NGOs.
In 2022, John cultivated deeply valuable relationships with critical global organizations in conservation including the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Sports for Climate Action (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, Sports for Nature, and Green Sports Alliance each of which have proven impactful to WSL. Through John’s efforts, WSL World Champion Filipe Toledo was invited to join celebrities including Ellie Goulding, Jason Momoa, Dr. Jane Goodall, and global stars to represent on the United Nations World Restoration Flagship Announcement. In addition, John spearheaded efforts helping WSL receive two Play to Zero awards at the Green Sports Alliance summit including a Waste Champion (50%+ waste diversion rate) and a Play to Zero Energy Champion (100% energy reduction or offsets).
John played a critical role in architecting the WSL PURE Grant Program, providing an opportunity to invest in the communities and ecosystems WSL visits for competitive events. Grants have helped to educate over 35,000 youth, collect 100 tons of plastic from rivers, conserve 347,291 hectares of land, and more.
John’s deep understanding of environmental issues, coupled with his passion for surfing helps to ignite a community of surfers and ocean lovers to get involved in protecting our one ocean, to preserve the future of surfing for generations to come.