Amsterdam, The Netherlands: The 3rd Sustainable Innovation in Sport Forum 2018 took place at the Amsterdam ArenA.
New sustainability strategies in sport are growing, but much more needs to be done to affect behavioural change, both within clubs and from fans.
In an important move, representatives from the sporting world recently agreed to work with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on ways the industry can help achieve the goals of the Paris climate agreement.
Patricia Espinosa, the United Nation’s lead climate change negotiator, has highlighted how sport can play a lead role in making the transition to a low-carbon economy.
She said: “Sport is a US$600 billion global business with a unique power to convene, move and inspire. We stand ready to support efforts within sport to work towards the climate secure, resilient economy that world leaders committed to in Paris.”
The impact of sport operations on the environment is one of the central issues to be addressed at Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation in Sport Forum.
Michelle Lemaitre, Head of Sustainability at the International Olympic Committee, also gave a keynote address on how to motivate and inspire sustainable development within the industry.
Other issues addressed included setting a sustainability strategy, energy, water and waste management; sustainable venues; sustainable mobility; the importance of legacy, and using ambassadors to promote sustainability, among others.
The Forum brought together more than 250 high-level representatives and 40 speakers for two days of sharing ideas, innovations and insights into how the industry can inspire the fight against climate change.
Among a wide-range of attendees were representatives from sports leagues and clubs, federations, sports venues, broadcasters, Government, UN, private entities and NGOs.