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What’s the
problem?
Whether playing or watching, sport is beloved by billions around the world for a reason. Its unique ability to entertain, build community and create collective joy is incredibly powerful, bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and shifting public opinion on pressing social and cultural issues.
Global sports’ carbon emissions at the higher end of estimates are as large as Spain or Poland. Sport is also constantly used as a gigantic advertising billboard for toxic companies: from individual athletes, teams, leagues, and whole tournaments and stadiums. Major polluters like fossil fuel companies, airlines and car manufacturers are given free rein to push dangerous products and services that harm people, the planet, and the future of sport itself.
Sport provides some of society’s most influential role models. If it changes and players speak out, others will follow. We are already deep into extra time, but sport can help us win – offering the visionary climate action and leadership that is urgently needed.
What’s the
action?
Some action is underway, and gains have been made, but nowhere does it match the scale and speed demanded by climate science. Sports’ environmental governance needs overhauling and sport itself needs to be reimagined – both to align with a low-carbon future but also to help bring that future into existence.
We believe that clubs, events and sporting bodies should:
Screen-out polluting sponsors and turn down future deals from major polluters.
Increase support to low-carbon, local grassroots sport.
Build resilience at the grassroots level to reduce the climate disruptions already taking place.
Speak out, clearly and honestly, about the risks posed to sport and its future under unmitigated climate breakdown.
