Wednesday, April 6 was the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and to mark the occasion, a virtual event on the role of sport in combating climate change was organized by the United Nations.
Sport both causes and is affected by climate change: millions of fans around the world traveling to games causes emissions, while increasingly we are seeing sports events called off due to extreme weather events.
Speaking at the event, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed was clear on the responsibility that sporting organisations have. “Major sporting events and leagues, athletes and fans alike, are poised to be powerful advocates for collective and collaborative political action.”
The deputy Secretary-General urged the sports industry to show real leadership, by slashing its carbon footprint, encouraging higher ambition from the private sector, and promoting low-cost inclusive and accessible solutions.
It is also clear that sportspeople have a have a unique opportunity to make an impact. As the lead of UN Climate Change’s Sports for Climate Change Framework, Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, said: “Sports teams and athletes can lead through action and by example. Imagine all sports using their platforms to educate their athletes and fans and bring them along in the journey; imagine all sports positively advocating for climate action towards policy makers, their supply chain, sponsors and their communities.”
Of course, many questions remain – should a sporting event take responsibility for the emissions of those traveling to watch that event? Can a sporting event or team ever be truly climate neutral?
Given the unique importance sport has in terms of influence, it is vital we highlight those that are making a difference and using their platform to take meaningful climate action. Here then are five sporting bodies and teams working to tackle the climate crisis.
World Rugby
Rugby’s governing body has taken huge strides in recent years when it comes to the climate. At the start of this year, it launched an environmental sustainability plan in order to halve its emissions by 2030 and get to zero emissions by 2040, all without resorting to offsetting. It also plans to embrace the circular economy by “addressing issues of single-use plastic, short-life materials and waste management.” It also aims to “address how rugby can help sustain ecosystems and promote healthier environments wherever it is played.” World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The climate crisis is arguably the biggest challenge facing humanity and our planet’s fragile ecosystems. It is affecting all areas of our lives and with it, our ability to play the sport we love.
Southampton FC
Southampton FC have been one of the most forward-thinking Premier League football clubs on the pitch in recent years, and that’s been reflected with their work off the pitch as well. Last year the club set up The Halo Effect, an initiative that puts sustainability front and centre. The club aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and it has already implemented several environmental initiatives, including: sending zero waste to landfill; using 100 per cent renewable energy; switching the stadium floodlights to LED; introducing a matchday reusable cup scheme, where fans get their drinks in their own cups, and offering vegetarian and vegan options on match days.
World Athletics
World Athletics – the international governing body of the sport – signed up to the Sports for Climate Action Framework on Earth Day 2021. The previous year it launched its Sustainability Strategy, which includes the goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. So far, the organization has switched to 100 per cent renewable energy at its Monaco headquarters, introduced a sustainable procurement code and travel policy and aims to reduce its carbon output ten per cent a year, every year until 2030.
Formula E
Sustainability is baked into the heart of Formula E, the world’s first electric car racing championship. Set up in 2011, it has been a huge success both in terms of viewing figures and changing the conversation around electric vehicles. Each year they release a sustainability report that reveals the championship’s impact on the environment and the objectives for the following season. The championship not only builds awareness of clean mobility, its engineers help improve green technology and infrastructure. Formula E is also an official ambassador to the EV100 programme, which aims to “accelerate the transition to electric vehicles by 2030.”
Team Malizia
As Team Malizia’s Ocean Skipper, Boris Herrmann pointed out during the virtual event, professional sailing teams rely on nature and use the power of nature to sail. They also witness first-hand the effects of the climate crisis. “Team Malizia’s mission is to combine sailing, science and education to bring the climate crisis to the attention of the world,” he said. A big part of this is My Ocean Challenge, which has seen the team meet more than 10,000 schoolchildren around the world, teaching them about the climate crisis and the steps they can take to help. The team helps with ocean science research by installing ocean sensors that pass on data to scientists who can monitor CO2 levels, temperature, salinity and PH in hard-to-reach ocean areas around the globe. The team is also planting a huge mangrove reserve in the Philippines, where nearly 500,000 mangroves have been planted so far. Mangroves are vital for biodiversity, and help reduce carbon emissions as they store carbon naturally.