Focus on: Climate change and sports
Sport plays a critical role in enhancing people’s relationships with natural spaces and fostering environmental awareness and concern. Outdoor sports immerse the participant in the natural environment and rely on clean air, clean water, and healthy spaces for safe play.
Unfortunately, climate change poses a threat to the world of sports and our relationship with natural spaces and the environment. With increasing recognition of the connection between sports and climate change, it has become evident that sports both affect and are affected by the crisis.
How do sports contribute to climate change?
Carbon footprint of global sporting events
- Construction of new infrastructure
- Transportation (air travel)
- Facility operations (cooling arenas, developing fields, heating pools, etc.)
- Consumption by participants and spectators
Carbon footprint of grassroots level sports
- Daily facilities operations
- Transportation of staff, participants, and spectators
- Consumption by participants and spectators
How does climate change affect sports?
- Dangerously high temperatures increase risk of heat stroke
- Poor air quality harms athlete health and performance
- Extreme weather events cause game cancellations and hinder fan engagement
- Rising temperatures shorten snow sports seasons
- Sea level rise threatens sports infrastructure and development
- The sports industry experiences decreased revenue and job losses
- More common epidemics and pandemics disrupt sports seasons
- Increased adaptation costs make sports less widely accessible
- Future generations will have decreased and/or disrupted access to sports
How can we mitigate climate change through sport?
Sport provides a large platform for promoting climate advocacy and collective behaviour change. Whether you are a fan or athlete, there are several ways you can engage in climate action through sport.
Sport participants
- Use your neighbourhood and nearby sport facilities, rather than traveling far, if possible
- Carpool with teammates to training and games
- Donate used clothing and sports equipment to second-hand shops
- Align with climate-responsible partners
- Choose plant-based food options
- Take care of your gear to maximize its lifetime
- Try sustainable alternatives for unique items such as athletic tape
- Educate teammates and fans
Sport fans
- Buy second-hand clothing and sports equipment
- Bring recycling bags and composting bags to your tailgate or viewing party
- Take public transit to sport events
- Buy digital tickets
- If viewing at home, host/attend viewing parties to watch the game with friends at home, instead of having multiple people watching on multiple devices
- Educate friends and other fans
Organizations supporting sustainability in sports
Although there is no formalized way of tracking or monitoring their contributions to sustainability, some organizations and companies are taking action.
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has developed a Sustainability Strategy which includes climate action among its focal areas. IOC aims, by 2030, to move beyond carbon neutrality and make the games carbon negative. The IOC's sustainability strategy focuses on minimizing the environmental impact of the Games by prioritizing resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the use of renewable energy.
Canada Games
The Canada Games Council (CGC) has developed a Sustainability and Impact Strategy, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of the Canada Games while also providing social and economic benefits in host communities. Target areas for the 2025 Canada Games include energy and climate, natural regeneration, and circularity and waste.
Learn more about the target areas and specific actions being taken.
NHL (National Hockey League)
The NHL has committed to addressing sustainability through its "NHL Green" initiative. This initiative focuses on “Respect for communities where we live, work and play.” This initiative focuses on improving ice rink efficiency, improving water stewardship, carbon offsets for team air travel, and lower carbon emissions, while also supporting environmental education through the NHL Green for Youth program. The NHL is partnered with the Green Sports Alliance and Sport and Sustainability International.
Learn more about the NHL Green initiative.
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
FIFA was the first sport federation to join the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework which brings together sports federations, organizations, teams, athletes and fans in a concerted effort to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. FIFA has also committed to sustainable stadium construction and operations, carbon offsetting measures, and promoting responsible waste management.
Learn more about FIFA’s sustainability efforts.
Major League Baseball (MLB)
The MLB has committed to addressing environmental challenges through its "MLB Goes Green" initiative. This initiative focuses on various areas, including waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. MLB teams participating in the program implement recycling efforts, promote composting and strive to make their stadiums more eco-friendly.
The league also emphasizes environmental education for fans and collaborates with partners to advance sustainable practices throughout baseball operations. MLB is the first professional sports league to confirm all of its Clubs as members of the Green Sports Alliance, which promotes healthy, sustainable communities in sports.
Learn more about the MLB's green efforts.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
The NBA focuses on minimizing its environmental footprint by reducing team air travel impacts and by implementing green initiatives in arenas, including energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction programs, and water conservation efforts. The NBA has also stated intentions to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, as part of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
Learn more about the NBA Green program.
Adidas
Adidas has implemented several sustainability strategies and commitments. The company aims to end plastic waste by using recycled materials in their products and reducing virgin plastic consumption. Adidas is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and has set short-term targets to decrease its carbon footprint. Additionally, the company is actively involved in promoting fair labor practices, focusing on the well-being of workers in their supply chain.
Learn more about their targets and partnerships, such as Parley Ocean Plastic.
Nike
Nike has committed to reducing their environmental impact by using more sustainable materials, improving energy efficiency in their operations, and focusing on circular design principles to minimize waste. Additionally, Nike has set ambitious targets to achieve 100% renewable energy in their owned or operated facilities.
Learn more about their circular design program.
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