Sport And The Environment: The Legal Issues Regarding Sport Sustainability

Although sporting events are enjoyed by billions of people around the globe, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the impact that these events have on the environment. This microblog will examine the key points in a recent policy brief by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs titled ‘Addressing Climate Change Through Sport’, highlighting the current lack of sustainable practices within the sport sector. This microblog will also emphasise the unique opportunity sport has to promote climate-conscious practices and lead a global response to climate change. 

Tackling climate change requires the collective effort of governments, institutions, and entities, as well as the wider community. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the need to regulate the environmental impact of global sporting events. The collective carbon footprint from transportation of people and cargo, the construction of various venues and ‘pop-up’ host cities, and high levels of water and energy consumption from the running of these events, mean that the global sport sector contributes approximately the same level of emissions as a medium-sized country. Furthermore, climate change directly impacts the way sporting events are run. This can be seen in the increase in game-day disruptions due to extreme heat and weather events, as well as the inability for certain cities to host winter games due to a lack of snow and ice as a result of global warming.

Despite these challenges, the sport sector has been slow to implement sustainable practices due to the absence of legal frameworks and regulations. However, some piecemeal efforts have been made within the sector. For example, the International Olympic Committee has committed to a 50% reduction of direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2030, bringing itself in line with the Paris Agreement. Recently, the Melbourne Cricket Ground also became the first major stadium in Australia to operate on 100% renewable power.

The Policy Brief recommends that governments take action by adopting legal frameworks, policies, and guidelines that can help facilitate the sustainable delivery of sporting events. While the sport sector has a poor track record of addressing the climate crisis, it has the potential to be a powerful force in promoting positive change. Each global sporting event is a major social platform, with the ability to influence millions of people worldwide into adopting climate-conscious and sustainable behaviors, regardless of geography or social background. Ultimately, the goal is for all stakeholders to enjoy these sporting events in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner.

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, please see here: 

https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2022/02/addressing-climate-change-through-sport/