Sport is universal: it has global influence and a huge power to unite people. Sport has a wide-ranging reach from grassroots levels, played on a local field or swimming pool, to elite levels, taking place in huge stadiums. Sport impacts the environment. These impacts can be positive, and sport should walk the climate talk. Athletes at all levels are affected by climate change impacts such as extreme heat and weather, droughts and floods. Elite athletes are often worshipped as heroes and are important role models across many societies. They can demonstrate action and bring climate change into everyday conversations.
COP26 Panel
- James Colgate: Operations director at Williams Racing
- Fiona Morgan: Global director of purpose and impact at SailGP
- Bob Ransack: Head of sustainability at World Athletics
Formula One reaches two billion people across the world. Williams are specialists in technological development, and they are applying innovative technology, such as carbon capture technology, to climate change mitigation solutions. The racing car alone represents just 1% of climate impact of the Formula One setup. Formula One engines are hybrid, Williams is aiming for sustainable fuels by 2026 and it has set an ambitious target of becoming ‘climate positive’ by 2030.
SailGP operates a sustainable management system, from manufacturing of boats to running events. Sailing boats visually demonstrate the power of nature. Collaboration across sport sectors is important for climate action. For example, Williams’ racing technology could help to electrify sailing boats. SailGP runs an impact league for teams alongside sailing events in a competitive framework, with contributions from travel, food and climate change communication. All sports can engage their fans in climate education. Football, for example, has an estimated audience of five billion people.
World Athletics has been researching how elite athletes can communicate the climate crisis to the two billion people that run on a regular basis, aiming to engage elite athletes to become climate ambassadors. A survey of elite athletes regarding climate change showed that 8% are concerned, 50% are directly impacted. 70% say their sport has been impacted. Athletics World Championship events is developing a sustainable event management system and aims to measure and share the impact of events. These climate impact measures will be included in future bidding processes for events from 2026.
Ms. Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC says:
“We need all people across all sectors and all walks of life doing their part. After all, we are not fighting for a medal but for a chance to have a long future on this planet.”
The UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action targets sports to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and to become net zero by 2040 (a decade before the UK government). To incentivise transformative climate action, sports that sign up to the framework and join the Race to Zero, must follow a process to pledge, plan, proceed and report on their status towards achieving these goals. Signatories so far include the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA and the Premier League.
A final thought from James Colgate:
“Everyone can make a difference every day, but it’s important to tell someone about it too.”
Written by Helen Hooker, COPCAS 2021 PhD Student.
