FIELDS
OF
Contents
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
01. 02. 03. 04. Introduction p1-4 p5-6 Why Should Sport Care About The Environment? Introduction To Move for the Planet p17-78
p7-16
The Syllabus
A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change B. Sport and Climate C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastructure
D. Sport and Waste E. Sport and Climate Communication F. Sport and Sustainability Leadership
07.
Community Learnings and Reflections 05.
p79-90
p95-96
08. Glossary and References
06.
Acknowledgments
p91-94
p97-101
Final Words
01
02
01. Introduction
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
Around the world, the impacts of climate change are already affecting the places we play - freezing and flooding pitches, melting snow, and overheating athletes and spectators. The everyday lives of some of the most vulnerable communities on the planet are being impacted by increased droughts, floods, and storms, with consequences for access to sport, which is a vital community resource for millions across the planet. But through community, belief and teamwork, and through the implementation of relevant local solutions, sport has a unique potential to inspire positive change towards a more sustainable future for people and planet. This handbook is designed to be a knowledge-sharing resource. It collates the content of the learning sessions delivered through the Move for the Planet syllabus and provides insights into the organisations who were part of the first global activation of Move for the Planet. The handbook aims to inspire Sport For Good organisations around the world to engage with environmental sustainability, through their projects and their communities.
Sport For Good has never had a bigger role to play.
03
04
02. Why Should Sport Care About The Environment?
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
SPORT FOR GOOD HAS THE UNIQUE POTENTIAL TO WEAVE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE THROUGH THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
WHY SHOULD SPORT CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Grass, rain, wind, snow, ice, heat - whether it’s a pristine pitch or a fresh ski slope, sport depends on the natural environment. Climate extremes such as storms, heatwaves, floods, and droughts which make sport unplayable are made more likely and more severe by climate change. But sport is not just a spectator. Travelling to games, building facilities, buying kit and equipment, supplying catering, and the many other activities associated with sport all have impacts on climate change and biodiversity .
So what’s the state of play?
• Since Pelé lifted the 1970 FIFA World Cup, there has been on average almost a 70% decline in the populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, with human activities as the leading cause 1 . • Global annual CO 2 emissions have increased by more than 5 billion tonnes since Virat Kohli made his debut for India’s cricket team in 2008 2 . • By the time Coco Gauff is 50 years old in 2054, plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish3. • Surveys of football fans consistently show that the majority of fans support climate action and think their clubs should be doing more 4 . • The global annual CO 2 equivalent emissions from sport is estimated to be as much as 300 million tonnes - equivalent to the annual emissions of France 5 . • Without rapid CO 2 emission reductions, by the time of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, the world will have likely exceeded the 1.5°C global average temperature rise target of the Paris Agreement, with potentially irreversible climatic consequences 6 .
Sport has incredible power - its cultural, social, and economic importance means that it can drive positive change across the globe: • With billions of sports fans worldwide, Sport For Good has the unique potential to weave sustainable change through the very fabric of our global community and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. • Sport NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are unique agents of change, straddling the most powerful social phenomenon in the world, whilst understanding and empowering local communities as agents of change. • Sport has been a powerful vehicle for driving positive change around many important issues, from racial justice, to gender equity, LGBTQIA+ conversations, and food poverty - climate should be no different. • In a divided world, sport is a unique phenomenon that brings people together across religions, races, ages, genders, national borders and socioeconomic divides. • The values of teamwork, “perseverance and belief” inherent in sporting culture holds the potential to mobilise humanity towards a more sustainable future. Sport - with its ability to unify billions, ignite passion, and instigate societal shifts - has an incredible potential to inspire change and help to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis.
SURVEYS OF FOOTBALL FANS CONSISTENTLY SHOW THAT FANS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT CLIMATE ACTION
05
06
03. Introduction To Move for the Planet
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
Move for the Planet is a global initiative born from the belief that collective movement creates collective impact. adidas and Common Goal have teamed up for Move for the Planet to fund projects around the world, all with one central mission – to provide education on sustainability and make sports facilities more resilient against extreme weather conditions. Since 2023, adidas has encouraged people around the world to participate in Move for the Planet, turning sport activities into action, and pledging to donate the money raised through the initiative to local Common Goal projects. In the first year, the focus was on renewing a community’s sports facilities using recycled material and providing training on how to reduce plastic waste. The second year focused on educating about sustainability and enhancing facilities to make them more resilient against extreme weather conditions. By teaming up with Common Goal, Move for the Planet is inspiring global climate action to support global Sport For Good organisations in embracing sustainable operations and engage their communities in the climate conversation. INTRODUCTION TO MOVE FOR THE PLANET
So why are Sport For Good organisations such great agents of change?
• They have a lot of experience in using sport as a tool to engage with local communities, providing a relatable hook to capture their interest and get them thinking about sustainability to co-create highly relevant solutions. • They are deeply rooted in local communities. Sport For Good organisations serve as a valuable platform for inspiring positive change, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility within communities, ultimately enhancing the well-being of residents and promoting environmentally- conscious behaviour. • They rely on communities as the main agent for change, carrying the knowledge to overcome local obstacles, and making sure solutions have diverse perspectives and local people in mind.
07
08
03. Introduction To Move for the Planet
Their field expertise enables them to design and launch tailored projects meeting the local challenges of the people and answering the relevant local environmental issues. All together, we seek to turn collective action into collective change.
adidas has pledged to donate the money raised through its Move for the Planet global activation to Common Goal to support even more projects around the globe. Projects will be implemented by local sports for good organisations, fully anchored in their communities and striving to drive positive impacts.
From Colombia to Greece , South Africa to Cambodia , projects world- wide aim to address environmental challenges, such as carbon emission reduction and sports infrastructure development.
09
10
03. Introduction To Move for the Planet
This is exactly why the Move for the Planet Community was established. Led by Football For Future , the 10 Sport For Good grantees from Move for the Planet Year 1 have been convening on a monthly basis for a journey of learning, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building around the theme of environmental sustainability and sport.
What has Year 1 of this journey looked like?
Move for the Planet Community
• 10 Sport For Good organisations. • 8 countries across 4 continents. • 10,000+ people potentially gaining access to renovated sports facilities, with 3,800 people estimated to be engaged in programming and educational activities.
Thriving and supportive communities are a cornerstone of effective climate action, creating a fertile ground for knowledge sharing, collective spirit, idea incubation, and innovation fueled by local insights.
11
12
03. Introduction To Move for the Planet
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
IN COLLABORATION WITH
FFF and Move for the Planet At Football For Future, we believe in the power of sport as a catalyst for change. Through our involvement in Move for the Planet, we have been committed to fostering a global community dedicated to sustainability, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Together with our partners, we are shaping a more resilient and environmentally conscious future for generations to come. FFF coordinated the Move for the Planet Community, delivering: • Expert training: Five comprehensive training sessions, equipping organisations with the necessary knowledge and tools to embrace sustainable practices effectively. • On-going support: Seven community check-in sessions, fostering dialogue and collaboration among participants, and ensuring ongoing support and guidance throughout their sustainability journey. • Comprehensive handbook: This comprehensive handbook for global Sport For Good organisations, consolidating key learnings from the training sessions and providing additional resources to aid organisations in their sustainability journey.
Football For Future (FFF) is a not-for-profit made up of sustainability experts, climate scientists, and football-creatives who are building a more environmentally sustainable culture in the beautiful game. We do this by raising awareness of the relationship between football and climate, and supporting the industry to become more environmentally sustainable. From the professional game to grassroots, from the streets to the stands, broadcaster to burger vans - we represent stakeholders across the game. We are all key players with different responsibilities and positions of power.
Find out more at: www.footballforfuture.org Follow us on Instagram: @ftblforfuture
How are FFF making a difference? Player support We offer bespoke climate education, communication training, and campaign support for professional players and personalities from the football com- munity who want to drive sustainable change. Education workshops We deliver educational workshops that bring together the themes of football, climate and sustainability for all ages and abilities. Club sustainability support We provide sustainability support for football clubs - from non-league to Premier League - auditing, developing strategies and empowering them with the tools they need to tackle climate change.
Staff training We deliver bespoke climate training for industry professionals covering the fundamentals of the climate, its interrelationship with football, & exploring best practice to empower stakeholders to use their platforms to accelerate sustainable change in their sectors. Journalism We produce leading football, climate and sustainability journalism, researching stories and amplifying best practices through the language of football to make the issues tangible, relatable and relevant to new audiences.
15
16
04. The Syllabus
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
Across 12 months of training sessions , Football For Future delivered comprehensive introductions to sport and sustainability for the Move for the Planet Community.
What We learnt
The following sections summarise the syllabus training sessions. A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change B. Sport and Climate C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastructure D. Sport and Waste E. Sport and Climate Communication F. Sport, Sustainability Leadership and the Future Of Climate Action
Educating
17
18
04. The Syllabus: A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
THE SYLLABUS A. UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE The Syllabus Across 12 months of training sessions, Football For Future delivered six specialist sport and sustainability training sessions for the Move for the Planet Community. The following sections summarise the training sessions from this first-of-its-kind programme.
The Sun
The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is the
The Earth
process by which greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat and warm the Earth.
The main environmental change scientists have observed in the last couple of centuries is climate change . The primary cause is human activity which results in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. As the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, the average global temperature of the Earth increases due to the greenhouse effect. Simply put, the greenhouse effect is how the Earth’s atmosphere retains heat. Solar radiation from the sun hits the planet, warming it. This radiation - or heat - bounces back off the Earth’s surface, some of which is trapped by the atmosphere due to the presence of ‘greenhouse’ gases - mainly carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) . This process is what keeps Earth a comfortable temperature for life - without it, the planet would be a cold wasteland like Mars. However, our problem is that increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere results in more heat retention - like thickening the glass in the greenhouse.
Below is a graph showing CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere and global temperatures over the last 800,000 years 7 . You can see that the level of CO 2 has changed cyclically. However, the amount of carbon had not exceeded 300 ppm (parts per million - a unit of measurement for concentration of a substance within a mixture) for the best part of a million years - this level was exceeded in 1950, and has continued to shoot upwards since.
When talking about environmental change, the timescales can be hard to grasp. So let’s convert the Earth’s lifespan into a sporting timeframe - 90 minutes. The dawn of life on our planet came around 11 minutes in, approximately 4 billion years ago. Half time was 2.3 billion years ago, and the dinosaurs were not around until just over 85 minutes in. Humans did not evolve until one second before the 90th minute. What this means is that when we are talking about environmental change, we are seeing changes on human timescales that previously operated on geological timescales. Or, to return to our 90 minute analogy, changes in the environment which usually happen over minutes are now happening over fractions of a second, as human activities are the primary cause.
Atmospheric CO 2 This is the famous ‘hockey-stick graph’ - you can see the fluctuating but broadly stable levels of CO 2 in the atmosphere for most of the last thousand years, before a sudden and dramatic increase after the industrial revolution in the 1800s.
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
19
20
04. The Syllabus: A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
So, the climate has always been changing, but you don’t have to be a climate scientist to look at the graph and see something has drastically changed in a short period of time. The huge increase in atmospheric carbon started with the industrial revolution, and the beginning of the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. However, this process is not just one-way - CO 2 is removed from the atmosphere by ‘carbon sinks’ . Forests, for example, are carbon sinks as they absorb carbon as plants photosynthesize. The problem is, though, that we are not just emitting more carbon, but we are also destroying Earth’s natural carbon sinks. We are destroying forests at an alarming rate due to human development, agriculture, and forest fires - in fact, a recent satellite study found that the earth is losing a football pitch-sized area of rainforest every six seconds 8 . Not only is this disastrous for the regulation of atmospheric carbon, but deforestation and other forms of habitat destruction due to human activity is also catastrophic for wildlife. Those football pitches of rainforest being destroyed are not empty - they were full to the brim with plants and animals. As such, while we often focus on climate change as the main human impact on the environment, it is not just about carbon - scientists are also warning that we are in an ecological crisis , and potentially causing a mass extinction of species.
In fact, we have wiped out 60% of animal populations since England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966 9 . That might seem like a long time ago in human terms, but in comparison to the usual rate at which species go extinct, this is the blink of an eye. This is a major problem - we depend on the abundance and variation of species of plants and animals (which we refer to as biodiversity) to not just regulate carbon, but for food production through pollination, protection from natural hazards, and human well-being, amongst many other things. These two issues are closely linked as climate change is a major driver of biodiversity loss. Human activity is driving both and in the last 200 years has caused millions of years worth of environmental change. In addition, biodiversity loss is far from the only impact of climate change - a warmer world will see more frequent and more severe extreme weather events (such as floods, heatwaves, and tropical storms), rising sea levels,
food and water scarcity, and consequently human conflict and suffering.
In fact, we have wiped out 60% of animal populations since England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966.
21
22
04. The Syllabus: A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
Worryingly, we are already seeing evidence of the impacts of climate change now - storms are getting stronger and more frequent, temperature records are being broken each year, and sea levels are rising as sea ice melts. However, we should not see this as a reason to despair, or to avoid breaking bad news to others - as climate experts, it is our responsibility to communicate the gravity of this.
Despite all of this, whilst we know we need to move in a sustainable direction, 2021 saw the second biggest rise in fossil fuel emissions ever recorded. Top scientists such as Professor Dr. Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group, say “The science is clear. Any further delay in concerted global action and we will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future”.
The main industries that are contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss 10 :
• Food (agriculture & waste): Agriculture accounts for 20-25% of GHG emissions 11 , 70% of global water use 12 , and is the leading cause of deforestation 13 . One third of food never makes it to the table and this waste accounts for about 8% of GHG emissions as it decomposes 14 . • Fashion: accounts for 10% carbon emissions - which is more than the global aviation industry 15 . It is very water intensive, and as cheap synthetic clothes are washed repeatedly they degrade and release microplastics into water supplies 16 . • Travel: accounts for about 14% of global GHG emissions. Cars have the biggest impact 17 . • Construction: the production of cement alone accounts for 3% of global GHG emissions 18 . • Energy: Most things on Earth are powered by fossil fuels - just over 40% of global GHG emissions come from energy use in industry and in buildings 19 . A key thing to remember is that while we are talking about ‘global’ greenhouse gas emissions, the activities causing emissions are more highly concentrated in richer, more developed countries. For example, per person, a US citizen emits 30x more carbon than someone in Senegal, and a UK citizen emits 11x more than an Egyptian person 20 . It would take 5 Earths worth of resources to support the human population if everyone’s consumption patterns were similar to the average US citizen, but only 0.7 Earths if everyone lived like the average resident of India 21 . The poorest in the world have contributed the least to climate change - yet they will face its worst consequences.
What is the IPCC (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)? THIS IS A COLLECTION OF THE WORLD’S TOP SCIENTISTS WHO PRODUCE REPORTS EVERY 6 YEARS OR SO FOR THE UN, WHICH ARE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SYNTHESIS PAPERS THAT EXIST ON CLIMATE. THOUSANDS OF EXPERTS AROUND THE WORLD CONTRIBUTE, ASSESSING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS BASED ON RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, TECHNICAL AND SOCIAL-ECONOMIC INFORMATION.
AS A WELL-KNOWN AND TRUSTWORTHY SOURCE FOR CLIMATE INFORMATION, IPCC REPORTS GENERATE A LOT OF MEDIA COVERAGE WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED - SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR RESPONSES FROM THE SPORTING COMMUNITY.
23
24
04. The Syllabus: A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
What is COP (Conference of the Parties)?
How do we tackle climate change? It’s clear that climate change and biodiversity loss are huge global problems, caused by activities which form the basis of modern life. It is important to remember that the responsibility to take environmental action should not lie solely with individuals - governments and large corporations are the most powerful players and need to be pressured to take the lead. However, we all can take steps to lessen our contributions to environmental degradation.
CLIMATE COPS ARE ANNUAL MEETINGS ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. COUNTRIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD SEND DELEGATIONS OF NEGOTIATORS, SCIENTISTS, AND CIVIL SERVANTS TO REACH AGREEMENTS ON ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. Agreements reached at COPs have global authority as pretty much every nation on Earth is a signatory of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) foundation treaty, which forms the basis for the meetings. They are flawed and often frustrating, but are the only forum on climate change in which the opinions and concerns of the poorest country carry equal weight to that of the biggest economies. The most recent conference was COP28, which took place in Dubai, UAE.
Here are a few actions we can all take: • Talking, educating and inspiring others around you. • Reducing flights. • Changing to a bank that doesn’t invest in environmentally destructive practices. • Start a climate working group at your place of work. • Reduce meat intake, particularly red meat, and eat locally where possible. • Buy second hand clothes and avoid fast fashion. • Avoid general unnecessary commodity consumption such as new gadgets and clothes. However, remember that no one is perfect - do not let perfect be the enemy of good. What is important is that we all appreciate the scale of the problem, adjust our behaviours to become more sustainable, and put pressure on those in power to make it easier for us to do so.
When hearing about climate change, you might hear about numbers and targets such as 1.5°C, 2°C, 2030, and 2050… but what are the significance of these numbers? In short, at COP21 in Paris in 2015 it was internationally agreed that we must keep global average temperature rise “well below 2 degrees Celsius” and ideally “below 1.5 degrees Celsius”, compared to pre-industrial levels 22 . 1.5°C might sound like a small amount, but remember that this is a global average - and a change of this magnitude in the global average temperature will cause significant changes to the world’s climatic systems. The 1.5°C target exists as warming above this level would see catastrophic consequences, with the world potentially passing climate ‘tipping points’. These impacts are likely to be even more severe in a 2°C warmer world.
25
26
04. The Syllabus: A. Understanding Sustainability and Climate Change
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
Tipping points are also known as critical thresholds - it is the idea that systems can go past points of no return, resulting in sudden, irreversible change. They can be triggered by positive feedback loops, whereby small changes are amplified because the effects of a disturbance reinforce the change. Imagine you’re kicking a ball towards a hill, and as you kick it up the slope, it rolls back towards you. But, if you kick it far enough up the hill, it goes over the peak and rapidly picks up momentum, out of control, rolling quickly into the next valley. Many of the Earth’s natural systems behave in a similar way - changing gradually and being able to rebound until they reach a threshold, after which change is rapid and irreversible. One classic example is melting sea ice…
The rise of sustainability and the climate movement Caring about nature and the planet is not a new thing - in fact, indigenous peoples around the world have long demonstrated a spiritual connection and deep care for their environments. In the Western context, caring about the planet was often associated with hippy culture or the peace movement throughout the 20th century. Around the turn of the millennium, caring about the planet became more strongly associated with organisations like Greenpeace or the WWF . The most recent chapter was defined by non-violent activism and ‘civil disobedience’. This era of the environmental movement is still very young - it was only in 2018 that Greta Thunberg skipped school to protest outside the Swedish parliament due to her government’s inaction on climate. Around the same time, Extinction Rebellion and the Fridays for Future rose simultaneously to create a huge upsurge in activity and awareness through 2019.
In the last five years, awareness has continued to grow. ‘Sustainability’ has become a key term, with businesses and organisations setting their own
targets for reducing their environmental impacts.
The question is - what’s next? As climate change is set to get worse, it, along with sustainability more broadly, will increasingly become a central consideration for decisions across personal, political and business lives.
Albedo Feedback Cycle A major factor in rapid warming of
icy places like the Arctic is sea ice albedo feedback, a cycle that makes warming more severe where ice is lost. A surface’s “albedo” is how reflective it is of sunlight.
FEEDBACK
As the Arctic warms, ice cover melts, exposing more of the less-reflective water’s surface. ICE RETREAT
LOCAL WARMING
Exposed surface waters absorb more sunlight. They and the air above grow even warmer.
Enhanced warming causes further ice melt and retreat. The cycle continues.
Source: www.ioes.ucla.edu/climate
For example, the Amazon rainforest is resilient to environmental change, but scientists believe that it may be approaching a tipping point, past which we could see a mass dying of trees which cannot recover 23 . In fact, essentially all climate targets have been put in place to avoid us going past tipping points, because they are the most dangerous impacts associated with climate change. If we are to keep below the 1.5°C target, we need to cut our GHG emissions in half by 2030, and by 2050 the global economy needs to be carbon neutral 24 . Worryingly, at the moment, we are on track to miss all intergovernmental targets. However, civil society is stepping up - and this takes the form of the climate movement.
27
28
04. The Syllabus: B. Sport and Climate
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
70% DECLINE IN THE POPULATIONS OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, FISH, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Since Pelé lifted the 1970 FIFA World Cup , there has been on average almost a 70% decline in the populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, with human activities as the leading cause.
29
30
04. The Syllabus: B. Sport and Climate
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
B. SUSTAINABILITY IN SPORT
Playing in extreme heat can have serious impacts on athletes, with outdoor physical sports in heat above 30˚C leading to symptoms such as severe dehydration and heat stroke 30 . These temperatures are also a hazard for spectators, too. In colder climates, unexpectedly warm spells can be disastrous for winter sports when there is a lack of snow, or warm weather causes early melting. Air pollution Hotter, drier conditions result in worse air pollution due to an increased amount of dust, soot and ash from forest fires, and a build-up of particles in the air from vehicle exhausts as a result of less wind and rain. More polluted air is clearly an issue for outdoor sports - it is a hazard to health to play or watch outdoor sports in air that is harmful to breathe in. Extreme storms Extreme storms are becoming more frequent and more powerful which will cause disruption to sporting schedules and damage to sporting facilities. This is particularly a risk in areas of the world which are affected by tropical storms (hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons). The storm events them- selves are hazards due to strong winds and heavy rainfall, which often then causes flooding. Caribbean hurricanes have smashed cricket facilities in Anguilla and Dominica. Powerful Pacific typhoons arriving on Japan’s eastern coastline led to games being cancelled at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and schedules for surfing and sailing to be rearranged at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Sea level rise Inundation and flooding from sea level rises will have serious impacts for sporting infrastructure that is based on or near coasts, such as urban coastal stadiums, grassroots playing fields, beach sports and surfing, and coastal golf facilities. For example, California’s beaches and their surfing culture have an uncertain future as one recent study predicted that 18% of the state’s most popular beaches will be lost by 2050, that another 16% will be in decline, and that two-thirds of all beaches in the southern half of California will be gone by the end of the century 31 . Many stadiums are at risk, with one study predicting that by 2050, one quarter of English football league grounds will face partial or total annual flooding32 . The cost of adapting and repairing sporting infrastructure means such impacts will be even more damaging in developing countries.
So where does sport come in? Simply put, ‘ nothing is more important than protecting the planet, and no social phenomenon is more powerful than sport.’ More than half of the world’s population engaged with the last men’s football World Cup 25 , and the Premier League is broadcast in 189 countries to 900 million homes, meaning 1.87 billion people watch the league worldwide 26 . Billions of people watched the Paris 2024 Olympic Games 27 , and the last men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023 clocked more than a trillion viewing minutes 28 . Football in particular is a fantastic example of the attitudes and beliefs that we need to tackle climate change: • No hope is lost until the final whistle, even in extra time - just ask Sir Alex Ferguson . • You can’t achieve great things without teamwork. • Everyone has an essential role to play. • The impossible is always possible - football deals in miracles. And just like Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005, we need to turn around a daunting deficit. The link is not just metaphorical though - sport and the environment are linked much more directly.
How does climate change affect sport? Flooding A warmer climate is already leading to more frequent and more severe extreme weather events which can cause flooding. Sea level rise due to the melting of the ice caps will also increase flood risk. This is a problem for sport - heavy storms and floods lead to disruption and damage to facilities. In football, for example, 25% of stadiums in the English professional men’s game are predicted to experience annual flooding by 2050, and the risk is even greater for grassroots and women’s football, with amateur and semi-pro teams losing up to eight weeks per season due to flooding-related cancellations and postponements 29 . Extreme heat Another form of extreme weather being made more severe and more likely by climate change is extreme heat. Temperate records are being broken each year - the average temperature is getting warmer but we are also seeing more severe heatwaves.
31
32
04. The Syllabus: B. Sport and Climate
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
How does sport affect the planet? Every single moment that makes up the sporting experience has an environmental impact, from travelling to an event to a matchday meal.
Food and drink At major events, sporting facilities cater for tens of thousands of people at a time. This can be a significant source of carbon emissions if the food sold is primarily meat-based and products are sold in plastic packaging. Single use plastics from food and drink sold at sporting events are not only carbon emission sources, but also produce plastic pollution which is a problem of its own. Clothing and equipment Trainers, boots, balls, rackets, shirts - sport at all levels involves equipment and clothing. These items are often made from synthetic materials such as plastics, which when disposed will not biodegrade and may release microplastics. The manufacturing of clothing and textiles is very energy and water intensive. As noted in section A. global carbon emissions from the fashion industry are greater than the share from aviation. The production and consumption of clothing in the sporting context is particularly problematic as there is a culture of high turnover and short shelf life - every year, fans are encouraged to buy a new shirt or jersey to support their team.
Transport Travel has by far the biggest impact on climate from sport. Whether it is the international tours of the annual tennis calendar, the monumental events of the Olympics, or the weekly home and away journeys of football, sport drives the movement of millions of people across the world throughout the season and for one-off events. The vast majority of these journeys are by fans, who travel to see their team or favourite athletes in huge numbers and sometimes across huge distances. This transportation results in carbon emissions, especially when the journeys are by planes and private cars. Transport makes up the most significant proportion of sport’s carbon emissions - about 60 to 80% 33 - and this is exemplified by the fact that the 2026 FIFA World Cup held across three countries in North America is likely to be the most carbon-intensive tournament ever staged 34 . Infrastructure The construction of sporting stadia is incredibly carbon intensive due to the emissions produced in the production of materials like concrete and steel, and the transport of the materials to the construction site.
Replacing large areas of land with concrete, tarmac and metal also affects local biodiversity. Once sporting infrastructure is built, it continues to impact the environment through its operation - stadiums consume water and energy for lighting, heat, hosting, and maintenance. Sponsorship A more indirect impact of sport is through sponsorship - teams, players, and tournaments are often sponsored by companies that are causing major environmental damage. Companies pay incredible sums of money for sponsorship because it enhances their reputation and makes people more likely to buy their products. Through shirt sponsorship, fans can be turned into walking adverts for companies that make immense profits through the exploitation of the natural world and be used for sportswashing .
33
34
04. The Syllabus: B. Sport and Climate
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
Sustainability in sport
SO WHAT KIND OF ORGANISATIONS ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO BE SUSTAINABLE?
There are two ways in which sport can become more sustainable - Operational and Social .
How sport can become sustainable Operational: processes, procedures, procurement, policies Social: education, awareness, attitudes, training, values.
= The Sweet Spot
Organisers and governing bodies Such as the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI): • Funding and campaigns. • Fan and community engagement to respect and protect biodiversity. • Promoting nature-based tourism. Competitions and Tournaments Such as the Olympic Games and Wimbledon:
Elite clubs Such as Wolverhampton Wanderers FC: • Renewable energy. • Eliminate single-use plastic. • Creation of a sustainability strategy. • Environmental audit. • Staff training. • Purpose-driven partnerships. • Plant-based food. • Signing the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework. Lower-league clubs Such as Forest Green Rovers: • UN and FIFA certified - world’s first carbon neutral club. • No meat for players or fans. • Zero plastic in the stadium. • Kits made from sustainable materials. • Purpose-driven partnerships and sponsorships. Broadcasters Such as Sky Sports and BBC Sport: • Green Football Weekend (Sky Sports and TNT Sports). • BBC Sport’s section on sustainability - “ Sustainability: Sport and the planet it’s played on ”.
OPERATIONAL
SOCIAL
• Carbon neutral targets. • Public transport. • Energy efficient stadiums and solar panels. • Biodiversity-friendly landscaping. • Community engagement. • Using existing and temporary infrastructure. • Responsible catering offer.
Leagues Such as the Bundesliga and the Premier League: • Environmental management. • Social inclusion and responsibility. • Economic sustainability. • Fan and community engagement.
The most effective initiatives are those that sit in the overlap - where a sport organisation can do something to reduce its own environmental impacts, but also communicate this effectively and inspire action in wider society.
35
36
04. The Syllabus: C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastructure
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
AREA OF RAINFOREST Earth is losing a football pitch-sized every six seconds In fact, a recent satellite study found that the earth is losing a football pitch-sized area of rainforest every six seconds.
37
38
04. The Syllabus: C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastructure
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
C. SPORT AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
The environmental cost of infrastructure in sport Infrastructure - such as stadia, training facilities, and other physical construction projects - is a major area of environmental impact by sport. The construction sector is responsible for approximately 39% of global carbon emissions. It uses 50% of the world’s steel, 25% of the world’s wood, and 40% of the world’s energy 35 . It is In the sporting context, stadiums and facilities generate carbon emissions and use water through their construction and operations. The construction and operations of new venues was responsible for almost a quarter of carbon emissions of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, for example 37 . Clearly then, any building project that is undertaken for sport will have a sizeable environmental impact. estimated that 30% of global deforestation is a result of infrastructure projects 36 . Types of environmental impact of infrastructure development: • Carbon emissions. • Energy consumption. • Water usage. • Waste generation. • Biodiversity impact/habitat loss.
Case study: Rio 2016 Olympics Let’s take a closer look at an example - the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With the construction of large-scale facilities such as a new Olympic stadium, a velodrome, an aquatics centre, and an athletes village, immense quantities of steel and concrete were used with significant habitat loss in places. In Guanabara Bay, where several water sport events were scheduled to take place, water quality was a major problem. Raw sewage and water pollution in the bay posed health risks to athletes and impacted marine life, demonstrating the link between water pollution, waste management, and sporting events. Air pollution was also a major issue. With more than 6 million spectator tickets sold and the arrival of 11,000 athletes, local airports were operating at full capacity for a month, and the 2.7 million cars on Rio’s roads made the city more congested than ever 38 . Six months after hosting South America’s first-ever Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Rio de Janeiro venues – some of which were looted – sat mainly idle and already in disrepair, raising questions about a legacy that organisers promised would benefit the Brazilian city and its residents.
• Noise pollution. • Water pollution. • Land use.
39
40
04. The Syllabus: C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastucture
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
MITIGATING AND ADAPTING
Measurement, Mitigation, and Adaptation To reduce the environmental impact of sport infrastructure, we need to first measure our potential environmental impacts. Then, we can take actions to mitigate the impacts of our projects, and adapt to any potential impacts further down the line. Here is a step-by-step plan for measuring, mitigating, and adapting the environmental impact of sport infrastructure. MEASURING CARBON
03. Strategise Adaptation Initiatives Infrastructure must withstand impacts of future climate change such as extreme weather or temperatures. Green spaces can act as carbon sinks, great for biodiversity, and can even result in cooler air. Continuously Improve
01. 02. 05. 04. 06. Use Data This highlights risks and opportunities. Strategise Mitigation Initiatives Consider energy efficiencies. Switch to renewable energies. Use energy efficient construction methods. Utilise sustainable materials. Recycling. Facilitate low-carbon transportation. Monitor and Track Progress In pursuit of your goal - use data to measure progress and set achievable targets. Report and Communicate Communicate your success and challenges. Be transparent and ensure targets and duties have clear accountability.
01. 02. 05. 04. Define Project Scope Determine the geographical scope of your carbon measurement, including specific project locations. Specify the depth of your carbon assessment, considering which phases of the project will be included (construction, operation, maintenance, etc) and which scopes. Life Cycle Assessment Consider conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to comprehensively assess emissions throughout the project's life cycle.
03. Collect Data Consult with head of operations, contractors, suppliers, utility companies to obtain accurate data. Use tools or software designed for carbon footprint assessments to streamline data collection.
Identify Emission Sources
Energy use, transport, materials, equipment.
Calculate Carbon Emissions
Break down emissions by source, including construction, energy use, transportation, and any other relevant categories.
Scope 1 Direct
Scope 2 Indirect
Scope 3 Indirect
Gas, Company Vehicles, Mowers, Diesel Generator
Electricity, Food, Stadium, Offices
Waste Management, Fan Travel, Business Travel, Purchase of goods & services, transportation of goods
41
42
04. The Syllabus: C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastucture
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
MITIGATING AND ADAPTING
MEASURING WASTE
01. 02. 05. 04. 07. Define Project Scope Determine the geographical scope of your waste measurement, including specific project locations. Specify the depth of your waste assessment, considering which phases of the project will be included (construction, operation, maintenance, etc). Waste Tracking System Implement a waste tracking system to document waste generation and disposal. Utilise waste management software or manual tracking methods, as needed. Set Waste Reduction Goals Establish specific waste reduction goals for your project, such as achieving a certain percentage of waste diversion from landfills. Share these goals with contractors and project stakeholders to ensure alignment. recycling facilities or waste management companies to facilitate recycling. Identify potential sources of waste associated with your infrastructure project. Categorise waste sources into construction waste, packaging materials, operational waste, and any other relevant categories. Encourage on-site sorting of recyclable materials by providing clearly labelled recycling bins. Establish partnerships with local Identify Emission Sources On-Site Sorting and Recycling
06. 03. Collect Data Collaborate with project stakeholders, including contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, to gather data on waste generation and disposal. Maintain records of the types and quantities of materials used and discarded during each project phase. Waste Audits Conduct periodic waste audits to assess the composition of your waste stream and identify opportunities for diversion and reduction. Analyse audit results to refine waste management strategies.
01. 02. 05. 04. 06. Use Audit Data to Paint a Picture of Your Environmental Impact Waste Reduction at Source Material Selection: Choose construction materials with minimal packaging, opting for bulk purchases when possible. Prefabrication: Use prefabricated components to reduce construction waste generated on-site. Recycling and Composting Programs Implement recycling and composting programs to divert materials away from landfills. Ensure that recycling and compost bins are readily accessible on-site for both participants and visitors. Public Awareness and Education Engage with the community and educate them about the importance of waste reduction and recycling practices at the sports facility. Use signage and interactive displays to guide visitors on proper waste disposal and recycling.
03. Waste Sorting: Implement on-site waste sorting and recycling stations to ensure that materials are properly separated. Lean Construction: Adopt lean construction principles to optimise material use and minimise waste during construction. Continuous Improvement Foster a culture of continuous improvement in waste management practices for future projects. Encourage feedback from stakeholders and community members to identify further opportunities for reducing waste and enhancing recycling. Construction Site Practices
43
44
MITIGATING AND ADAPTING Review Audit
04. The Syllabus: C. Sport and Sustainable Infrastucture
Fields Of Change: A Sustainability Handbook
01. 02. 05. 04. MEASURING BIODIVERSITY AND WATER Define Project Scope Determine the geographical scope of your biodiversity and water quality assessment, specifying project locations. Define the depth of your assessment, considering which phases of the project will be included (construction, operation, maintenance, etc). Identify Assessment Focus Areas: Biodiversity and Water Quality Monitoring Establish a monitoring program to track changes in biodiversity and water quality throughout the project's life cycle. Regularly sample and analyse water quality parameters and biodiversity indicators. Impact Assessments
03. Habitat Preservation and Restoration Preserve and protect critical habitats and ecosystems within and around the sports facility. Implement habitat restoration initiatives to enhance local biodiversity. Sustainable Water Use Implement water conservation measures, such as low-flow fixtures
01. 02. 05. 04. 06. Biodiversity and Water Quality Monitoring Establish a monitoring program to track changes in biodiversity and water quality throughout the project's life cycle. Regularly sample and analyse water quality parameters and biodiversity indicators to detect changes or disturbances. Sustainable Landscaping Use native and drought-tolerant plant species in landscaping to support local wildlife and reduce water consumption. Minimise the use of pesticides and herbicides that can harm biodiversity. Stormwater Management Implement effective stormwater management practices to prevent pollutants from entering water bodies. Compliance with Regulations
03. Collect Data Collaborate with environmental experts, biologists, and local authorities to gather data on biodiversity and water quality. Collect baseline data on the state of local ecosystems, including flora and fauna, and water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, and pollutant levels.
and efficient irrigation systems. Harvest rainwater for landscape irrigation and non-potable uses.
Identify specific focus areas within biodiversity and water quality assessment, such as local ecosystems, habitats, aquatic systems, and species of interest.
07. 08. Public Education and Engagement Educate and engage the community in biodiversity conservation and water protection efforts. Promote responsible water use and awareness of local ecosystems.
Ensure compliance with local, regional, and national environmental regulations related to water quality
Conduct impact assessments to evaluate the potential effects of the project on local biodiversity and water quality. Assess how construction, operation, and maintenance activities may impact ecosystems and aquatic systems
and biodiversity protection. Obtain necessary permits for construction and operation.
Embodied carbon Building infrastructure ‘locks in’ carbon emissions for many years because of the carbon emitted from its construction and disposal - regardless of how sustainable a building is in its operation, carbon has been emitted from building it. This is ‘embodied carbon’ - emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole lifecycle of infrastructure 39 .
45
46
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-21 Page 22-23 Page 24-25 Page 26-27 Page 28-29 Page 30-31 Page 32-33 Page 34-35 Page 36-37 Page 38-39 Page 40-41 Page 42-43 Page 44-45 Page 46-47 Page 48-49 Page 50-51 Page 52-53 Page 54-55 Page 56-57 Page 58-59 Page 60-61 Page 62-63 Page 64-65 Page 66-67 Page 68-69 Page 70-71 Page 72-73 Page 74-75 Page 76-77 Page 78-79 Page 80-81 Page 82-83 Page 84-85 Page 86-87 Page 88-89 Page 90-91 Page 92Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator