Sport and Environment News - February
Access all the latest news and resources in the sport and sustainability space, carefully curated by SEA, right here in one convenient place.
INDUSTRY NEWS
5 Ways Super Bowl LIX Is Tackling Sustainability
Super Bowl LIX isn’t just a spectacle of athleticism and entertainment, it’s an event with a massive environmental footprint. From the energy-intensive operations of Caesars Superdome, to the volume of waste, travel emissions, food and merchandise, the big game leaves a lasting impact on the planet.
The future of winter sports in a warming world
Winter sports have long been a cornerstone of FISU, showcasing the extraordinary talents of athletes and often serving as a springboard for greater achievements in their careers.
Events like the FISU World University Games Winter have brought together participants from across the globe, uniting them in a shared passion for snow and ice sports. However, as global temperatures rise and the effects of climate change intensify, the sustainability of winter sports is increasingly under threat.
Fossil fuel sponsorships are just one example of rampant “sportswashing”
Industry critics see this cozy relationship between polluting industries and professional sports as greenwashing, or “sportswashing.” “The [oil and gas] companies benefit from sponsorship by tying their brand to the ecstatic nature of a local sports team and being a community hero, when they very much do not want to be seen as a climate villain,” George explained.
“Few people love oil companies, but people really love their favorite team,” said Jamie Henn, a climate activist and founder of Fossil Free Media. “Companies capitalize on that by sponsoring a team, stadium, or event and hoping that the positive vibes rub off on them.”
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Is it safe to exercise in extreme heat and smoky skies?
As heat waves, wildfires and smoke-choked skies become commonplace for more communities, it’s important to safely adjust your outdoor exercise to the new realities of climate change.
Dr. Michael Koehle, a professor of sport and exercise medicine at the UBC faculty of medicine, discusses how to tell if it’s safe to exercise outside and what to do when conditions become extreme.
The Desert Vipers: A cricket team driven by passion, purpose, and exceptional people
Like many others, the Desert Vipers are a professional Twenty20 cricket franchise. The team, which competes in the DP World ILT20, has secured a playoff spot and a top-two finish, and are proving themselves to be serious contenders. But what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to purpose, sustainability and community impact.
Football’s growing carbon footprint threatens its future
When seemingly hardened observers watched in horrified awe at the record Los Angeles wildfires turning whole neighbourhoods into hot, charred, post-apocalyptic remains, cold sweats were almost certainly running down the backs of the city’s event planners. Why? Next year Los Angeles hosts multiple games for the next men’s football World Cup, and player’s health is set to be threatened by extreme heat at 14 out of 16 of the 2026 World Cup venues. The city is also host to the 2028 Olympics, by which time many of its burnt-out communities will still not be rebuilt.
Soccer struggles to tackle environmental impact as annual emissions hit 66m tCO2e
The report, commissioned by the New Weather Institute from Scientists for Global Responsibility, found that the primary sources of soccer’s pollution are sponsorship deals with heavily polluting companies, travel for matches (both international and domestic), and stadium construction.
More than 93 per cent of emissions are due to the activities of elite domestic leagues – with annual attendances above one million – and international tournaments.
Will Climate Change Cost the 2026 FIFA World Cup US$800m?
Climate X research finds that FIFA World Cup Venues are at risk of losses up to US$800m by 2050 due to climate change, particularly in Florida.
The research, conducted using Climate X’s Spectra platform, assessed 37 FIFA stadiums for exposure to 10 major climate hazards, including: surface flooding and tropical cyclones.
The report, which covers 2020 to 2050 under the high-emissions RCP 8.5 climate scenario, shows that financial losses for the stadiums will grow at pace, from US$130m in 2020 to an estimated US$800m by 2050.
CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Global climate crisis deepens as January 2025 sets new temperature record
Last month was the warmest January on record globally.
The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service published its latest climate bulletin on Thursday reporting on the changes in global air and sea temperatures. The average air temperature of 13.23C recorded last month was 0.79C above the long term 1991-2020 average for January.
NOAA Study Suggests Alaska Red King Crab Could Prove Resilient To Climate Change
New genetic research on the Alaska red king crab reveals previously undiscovered diversity among different regions, suggesting the species is more resilient to climate change and changing ocean conditions.
Climate change will lead to more record-breaking storms, says Mayo County Council official
The impacts of climate change extend beyond the environment – global warming is also hitting people in their wallets.
From rising insurance premiums to increased energy bills and grocery prices, the economic impacts are wide-ranging. The financial burden of climate change also has the potential to infiltrate our finances in other, more subtle ways.
Here’s how the warming planet could significantly drive up day-to-day costs.
The art of climate action: How creativity is reshaping fight against climate change
When we think of climate activism, we often picture scientific conferences, policy debates, and street protests. But in an era where people are overwhelmed by climate doom and misinformation, creative activism offers a fresh, emotionally compelling way to engage communities in the fight against climate change.
There’s no time to be chill about climate change in Scotland
There are various unpleasant impacts of a national climate that is 15 degrees colder than we’re accustomed to but some of the highlights include the gelling of the diesel in your car’s fuel tank (at around -11.5 degrees), livestock freezing to death in the fields, food instability being a daily reality as it becomes harder to grow crops, it being infrastructurally and economically impossible to rely on imports, flooding of coastal areas and a total breakdown in civic amenities.
ASAP Cheat Sheet: A guide to sustainability communication in the sport sector
Why is communication important for any sustainability programme or strategy? Simply put, it will make or break any sustainability program.
SandSI resource library
Explore global case studies in sport and sustainability in the Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) resource library.
Sport Ecology Group resources
The Sport Ecology Group, a collective of industry experts & researchers, have created a site with various educational and research opportunities.
Click here for more information.
Olympic Games Sustainability Essentials
The Olympic Games has launched Sustainability Essentials, an informative series of guides to help Olympic teams manage sustainability programmes.
Do you want to know what to do and how to start your eco journey?
The Future proofing community sport & recreation facilities: A roadmap for climate change management for the sport and recreation facilities sector resources can help support your journey. Free to use!
This project was developed by the Sports Environment Alliance in partnership with the Victorian Government.
UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action Framework
We encourage you to become a signatory of the UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action Framework. Join a global network of sport leaders who will engage and enact the five (5) principles of the framework.t
7 key things to know about the upcoming Australian climate-related financial disclosure requirements
While the details are still being finalised, thousands of companies will need to start reporting from July 2024 for the 2025 financial year (FY25), so the clock is ticking to get prepared.
In this blog, we'll share 7 things you need to know about the reporting requirements proposed for Australian companies, including the key differences with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2 that were finalised in mid 2023.
Where should clubs start?
Claire Poole talks about how sports clubs can get started on their sports sustainability journey. From data collection, taking action, procurement, partnerships, connecting with internal colleagues and external experts and more.
