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
'I cycle to training and use public transport – but we all must tackle climate change'
Real Betis and Hector Bellerin have been outspoken about climate change in recent seasons thanks to their Forever Green initiative - but the Spaniard admits he doesn't have all the answers.
We're at a turning point in human history, with climate change now on the brink of being a real threat to all our futures. And while football seems small on a wider scale, changes have to be made, according to the former Arsenal star.
IAMovement held its second Climate Champion Day dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders and change-makers by providing a forum where teenagers learned, engaged, and took action on climate-related issues.
The event was tailored to persons between the ages of 15-18 years of age, showcasing a dynamic array of engaging interactive indoor educational sessions on environmental conservation and sustainability to hands-on outdoor experiences focusing on practical climate solutions, participants were both informed and inspired to become catalysts for change in their communities.
Facing warmest winter on record, Minnesota forced to pivot on recreation offerings
Each year, winter sport enthusiasts flock to cold weather states where higher levels of ice and snow create the ideal environment for activities like skiing, skating, ice fishing and more.
But as climate change driven by global warming prompts shorter and less predictable winters, winter recreation is changing and places that count winter as part of their tourism strategy, like Minnesota, are having to pivot.
Finnish pond hockey on thin ice as climate crisis looms
The Save Pond Hockey organisation aims to use hockey for climate advocacy. Since 2015, it has hosted tournaments in Finland and abroad to raise awareness and funds for climate action through outdoor ice hockey.
The sport itself is a concrete example of climate change affecting everyday life.
According to data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), between 1860 and 2006, the average winter temperature in Helsinki has increased by more than three degrees Celsius.
Oxford United Takes Major Step In Fight Against Climate Change
Oxford United has made a significant commitment to help tackle the climate crisis, by signing the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
By joining the Framework, the club has underlined its dedication to playing its part to ensure the sports sector achieves a low-carbon future. The club is committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2040.
PUMA Receives Highest Score for Climate Change Policies and Transparency from CDP
Sports company PUMA has been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on the annual ‘A List’.
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. Now, PUMA aims to reduce CO 2 emissions along its entire value chain. This includes the sourcing of raw materials, the production of fabrics and finished goods, logistics, the energy supply of PUMA’s warehouses, stores and offices and even its corporate car fleet.
The Charles Sturt Community University Partnership Grants program is open to groups seeking funding for projects that benefit local communities through arts and culture, education, health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability, or sport.
Charles Sturt Head of Government Relations and Regional Engagement Ms Samantha Beresford said the CUP Grants program is a great funding initiative that helps communities at a local level grow and flourish.
“At Charles Sturt University, we are proud to support our local communities develop throughout our regional footprint,” Ms Beresford said.
“We recognise the invaluable contributions that organisations across our extensive footprint make to regional and rural communities. The University is committed to continue to provide financial support to ensure these organisations can thrive and continue making a positive impact through the projects and initiatives they deliver.
Hampshire cricket to “break the mould” with sustainability-focused Utilita stadium naming rights partnership
A key focus of the partnership is to make Utilita Bowl the world’s greenest cricket ground, with Utilita to guide and support the venue to realise this ambition.
The first step in the partnership will see the installation of more than 1,000 solar panels, which are capable of generating around 25 per cent of the electricity used in the stadium each year and covering the electricity consumed during match days. The solar array is set to save the venue a six figure sum each year in electricity costs, as well as 80 tonnes of carbon per year – the same level of emissions produced by driving 301,855 miles in the average passenger vehicle.
CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Polar bears at risk of starvation as Arctic sea ice melts
Polar bears face starvation as the Arctic sea ice melts and they're forced to spend more time on land, scientists have warned.
The species normally feed on ringed seals that they catch on ice floes offshore, but as the ice disappears with rising temperatures, many bears are spending greater amounts of time on land.
Climate change is pushing us towards an uninsurable world
While many Hong Kong families decide to skip buying home insurance, people around the world may soon not have a choice
Climate change is causing insurance premiums to rise and, in the more vulnerable places, private insurers have stopped underwriting policies
Rate of global warming speeding up
The new chief of the World Meteorological Organization said it looks to her that the rate of human-caused climate change is accelerating and that warming has triggered more Arctic cold outbreaks in North America and Europe, weighing in on two issues that divide climate scientists.
In her first sit-down interview since taking office last month, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo told The Associated Press that even though her agency said last year was 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.66 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, the world must “keep on with its ambition of trying not to reach 1.5” degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) on a longer-term basis, not just one year. “We have a trend that is really worrying. The trend is very clear.”
Sea sponge shows climate change tipping point
The world may have already surpassed the key climate measure of global temperatures increasing by 1.5C, according to Australian scientists who study Caribbean sea sponges (SBS).
In a new paper in Nature Climate Change, the researchers found a type of sea sponge in the Caribbean Sea that acts as a “perfect thermometer”, living for up to 400 years and serving as a natural archive of ocean temperatures.
7 key things to know about the upcoming Australian climate-related financial disclosure requirements
Australia has joined the growing list of countries introducing mandatory climate-related financial disclosure (CRFD) for companies.
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.
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
