Sport and climate change – it is time to act

The climate emergency and the role sport plays in advocating for a shared, clean future has been occupying the Australian and international news headlines in recent times.

While Australia’s global image, culture and identity is founded on a deep appreciation for the unique natural environment and an unmatched passion for sport, for some time now, the places where we play sports have been under threat from climate change. We have witnessed the effects of bushfires on events such as the Australian Open in 2020 and according to the Climate Council’s ‘Game, Set Match’ report, by 2040, heatwaves of 50 degrees in Sydney and Melbourne are expected to threaten the versatility of sport.

SEA CEO Katherine O’Regan explained that Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) is one of five organisations worldwide, with a mission to protect the places where we play sport.

“Since 2015, SEA has been driving change and providing the sports community with the equipment, network, knowledge, and training to take action to secure a clean future.”

SEA’s work is focused on building the capacity and capability of the sporting community; enabling and equipping each and every sport, club, and organisation to become a leader in changing climate. Ms O’Regan explained that SEA is now joined by 60+ organisations that are ready, willing, and able to innovate and change and act on what matters most to them.

“For a local club this may mean carpooling to games, eliminating plastics in food sales or reusing and repurposing equipment. For sporting facilities, it means switching to renewable energy and rethinking chemical use and waste; and for large sports organisations it means reviewing sponsorship and supply chains and motivating fans,” she said.

SEA works with sports organisations, to develop their sustainability strategies and action plans and encourages them to become signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Sports for Climate Action Framework.

The alliance takes pole position when it comes to the global conversation. SEA has contributed to ground-breaking research and advocacy reports such as the Climate Council’s Climate Change and Sport Report and Game, Set, Match report. SEA also regularly presents at global industry meetings and forums.

“While the first step is often the hardest to take, the message is clear: when we protect our natural environment, we protect our people and our sporting culture. For where there is no planet there is no play,” Ms O’Regan said.

Join SEA today www.sportsenvironmentalliance.org

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For more information, or to arrange and interview, contact communications@sportsenvironmentalliance.org