International Practice

Global Sustainable Sport

• Global Sustainable Sport, opens in a new tab. Aims to bring the global voice of sport together and to drive sustainability through sport to provide a better future for sport and the planet. Global Sustainable Sport has worked with academics and practitioners to develop a standard methodology to evaluate the sustainable activations of a wide range of sports stakeholders. This will enable stakeholders to express the true value of their activations and to showcase how sport is taking a leading role in developing a more sustainable future for the planet.

Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI)

• Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI), opens in a new tab. Works to accelerate sustainability In and through sport by amplifying sport sustainability voices on the global stage; highlighting practical climate solutions to enable sport's contribution to climate action targets; and empowering sport organisations with resources and best practices to reduce their carbon footprints and build a greener future.

Sport Ecology Group

• Sport Ecology Group, opens in a new tab. A community of academics seeking to accelerate climate action in sport through research, resources, and events for a broader audience than traditional academic journals will allow.
  • Research, opens in a new tab. Search research related to sport and the natural environment. Provides summaries and synthesis of sport ecology research in one place, so researchers and practitioners have access to the latest information.
  • Resources, opens in a new tab. Find resources for sport industry practitioners working at the nexus of sport and climate, teaching materials for university instructors, organizing materials for green sport initiatives, our podcast, and more.

Sport Positive

• Sport Positive, opens in a new tab supports the global sports community to increase ambition and take action on climate change, sustainability, biodiversity and environmental justice. We work tirelessly to connect industry stakeholders globally, host an annual Summit in collaboration with UNFCCC and IOC, research and share environmental sustainability data via our Leagues.
  • What’s stopping us? Applying psychology to accelerate climate action in sport, opens in a new tab, (November 2024).

Sports for Nature

• Sports for Nature, opens in a new tab is a joint initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Olympic Committee (IOC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. It aims to deliver transformative action for nature across sports, by 2030 and beyond, enabling sports to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration. It provides a game plan for sports — at all levels — to accelerate and inspire others to take action for nature.
  • Sports for Nature Framework, opens in a new tab, (2024).
  • Resources, opens in a new tab. Search for reports, factsheets, and tools relating to a wide variety of topics, including managing events, supply chains, biodiversity, and more.
  • Case studies, opens in a new tab. Find case studies from international, national, and local organisations and events relating to sports for nature principles including nature protection, nature restoration, communication and education, and greening supply chains.
  • Illustration: The Hidden Impact of Sports, opens in a new tab, (April 2025).

Sustainability Report

• The Sustainability Report, opens in a new tab. A growing number of sports businesses are demonstrating that having a robust sustainability strategy need not clash with their core priorities – in fact, it is helping them build stronger relationships with fans, boost the reputation of their brand and open doors to new commercial partnerships. The Sustainability Report highlights these opportunities through up-to-the-minute news stories, in-depth analysis, inspirational and actionable case studies, and interviews with the people striving to create a more sustainable sports industry.

Sustainability.sport

• The Sustainability.sport portal, opens in a new tab is a free online platform dedicated to sport and sustainability. Created to collate sport’s efforts in sustainability onto one single platform, this portal features an array of resources to inform, educate and inspire, including case studies, guidelines, reports, standards, and links to organisations or experts working to make sport more sustainable.

• Rallying for Resilience: Keeping Children and Youth Active in a Changing Climate, opens in a new tab, [Canada], 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, (May 2024). With the number of annual weather alerts in Canada having more than doubled in the past 10 years, it’s time for Canada to recognize the impacts of a changing climate as an added barrier to getting children and youth active where they live, learn and play. Physical activity can help mitigate the negative health impacts of climate change, and concerted efforts from multiple sectors and people are needed to get and keep children and youth physically active in a changing climate – inside and outside, rain or shine.

Strategy

• Sustainability, opens in a new tab, International Olympic Committee, (accessed 9 January 2026). Driven by our vision to build a better world through sport, we believe it is our responsibility to contribute to global sustainability efforts. In line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5, our aim is to minimise our footprint and maximise our positive influence across social, environmental and economic spheres.
  • IOC Sustainability Strategy, opens in a new tab, (October 2017).

Programs

• IOC Climate Action Awards, opens in a new tab. Launched in November 2022, the Awards recognise Olympic and Paralympic athletes, International Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for their proactive efforts in tackling climate change. They acknowledge their contribution and aim to inspire others to follow suit, by showcasing innovative and effective initiatives.

Resources

• Case studies, opens in a new tab. Examples of International Federation and National Olympic Committee sustainability projects 2016-current.
• Sustainability Essentials, opens in a new tab, International Olympic Committee, (accessed 9 January 2026). Whether your organisation is just starting out, or is already actively engaged in sustainability, the “Sustainability Essentials” guidelines will provide valuable information in an easy to follow manner to help you and your teams navigate the complexities of this subject and develop effective sustainability programmes. Current guidelines include:
  • Introduction to sustainability
  • Sports for climate action
  • Sustainable sourcing in sport
  • Plastic game plan for sport
  • Sustainability management in sports
  • How to be a sustainable champion

Sport New Zealand /Ihi Aotearoa

• Environmental Sustainability, opens in a new tab, (accessed 9 January 2026). Find out how sector organisations are improving their sustainable practices through a range of environmental projects and initiatives.
• Environmental Sustainability Guidelines for Spaces and Places, opens in a new tab, (2024). Sport NZ has identified the need for clear, practical guidelines to help Territorial Authorities and sport and recreation organisations navigate the range of issues relating to environmental sustainability that affect spaces and places for play, active recreation and sport (referred to as spaces and places) in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The heat is on: how the sport and recreation sector can mitigate climate change and adapt to its consequences, opens in a new tab, Sport NZ, (2023). Sport and recreation will not be immune to the consequences of climate change. The consequences are both direct – where and when activity can take place, and how people can participate – and indirect, as local, national, and commercial priorities and consumer behaviour and social expectations change in response to climate change.
• Think Piece: Climate Change, opens in a new tab, Sport New Zealand, (2020). This think piece takes a high-level view of the dimensions of a changing climate including: The science: the current position, levels of confidence and potential forecasts for the globe and New Zealand; Social impacts: the impact on people in terms of societal change, health and consumer behaviour; Economic consequences: the concerns of the financial sector both in terms of economic stability and future business positioning. Addressing the issue: energy transition and political action required to mitigate climate change; The role for sport and recreation in addressing climate change.

UK Government

• Research and analysis: Exploring the financial implications of climate change on grassroots sport, opens in a new tab, Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), (updated 11 September 2025). Commissioned to assess the financial and environmental challenges climate change poses to grassroots sport in the UK. This research analysed both the impacts of grassroots sport on the environment (strand 1) and the current and potential future impacts of climate change on grassroots sport (strand 2). It also explored the opportunities for reducing the impact that grassroots sport has on the environment, as well as adaptations that can be made to ensure the sector’s long-term environmental and financial sustainability (strand 3).

UK Sport

• Environmental Sustainability Strategy, opens in a new tab, UK Sport, (Version 2.0, 2024). We are supporting the sports and events into which we invest to catalyse action, alongside improving our own organisation’s environmental performance. We will use our voice to inspire others to act, using our networks and creativity to nurture solutions to complex sustainability challenges in the high-performance community and beyond.
  • Sustainability Accelerator Programme, opens in a new tab, UK Sport, (16 April 2025). Provides an update and information on the programme that launched in 2023.
• Building Sustainability into Major Event Delivery, opens in a new tab, UK Sport and BASIS, (February 2022). A guide to support organisers in minimising the environmental impact of sporting events. Playing sport needs a healthy environment for optimum preparation and performance. The impact of climate change on the environment can affect the event and the performance of the athletes, and a poor or disrupted environment is a sub-optimal competition arena.

Sport England

• Every Move: Sustainability strategy and action plan, opens in a new tab, Sport England, (May 2024). The Strategy includes the target to reduce Sport England's carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and to achieve net zero by 2040. And to embed environmental sustainability into governance, so that it’s considered in every relevant decision made by their board about their operations and our investment decisions. Consultation showed that the sport and physical activity sector want Sport England to provide support, guidance and leadership and this strategy sets out how they aim to provide this.
  • New fund to create 'world's greenest sports industry', opens in a new tab, Sport England, (11 June 2025). Announcement of up to £16 million from Sport England's Movement Fund will be reserved to help the sector respond to the impact of climate change.
  • Major investment to help sports battle climate change, opens in a new tab, Sport England, (16 May 2024). We've committed £45 million to support the sector as part of our first-ever environmental sustainability strategy, Every Move.
• Activity Check-In Impact of extreme weather on sport and physical activity, opens in a new tab, Sport England, (2024). This report offers valuable insights into the intersection of physical activity, environmental sustainability, and weather‑related challenges in England. Conducted between January 26 and February 2, 2024, it explores the experiences and perspectives of adults and children across the country regarding their physical activity levels and how these are influenced by extreme weather conditions.
• Sustainability resources, opens in a new tab, Sport England, (accessed 8 January 2026). Including sports facilities, dealing with drought, floods, and detailing the outcomes of an environmental sustainability survey completed in 2023.
• Environmental sustainability in sport and physical activity, opens in a new tab, consultation findings – executive summary (2023).

BASIS (the British Association for Sustainable Sport)

• BASIS (the British Association for Sustainable Sport), opens in a new tab. The sustainability hub for the UK sports industry. A not-for-profit committed to delivering a positive impact for sport at every level and harnessing the power of sport to make a difference for all. BASIS uses twelve principles grouped into the three related pillars of environmental responsibility, social progress and economic activity to provide a structure against which sustainability performance can be managed and assessed.
  • Resources, opens in a new tab. BASIS produces and collates a wide range of resources to help our members make the most of their sustainable initiatives. You can find anything from Articles to Webinars here. Some of our resources are available to everyone, and some are for our members only.
  • Game Changer II: The impact of climate change on sports in the UK, opens in a new tab, BASIS, (2023). Update of the 2018 report, reviews three of the four original sports (football, cricket and golf) five years on and it makes sobering reading as it describes the increasing impacts of climate change on sport.
  • Rings of Fire II, opens in a new tab, BASIS, Front Runners, (2024). Ahead of Paris 2024, and building on the first Rings of Fire report in 2021, elite athletes from across 15 sports – including 11 Olympians – join forces with leading climate scientists and thermal physiologists to examine the serious threat extreme heat poses to competitors at the Paris Olympics.

Clean Water Sports Alliance

• Sports come together for clean water, opens in a new tab, (29 April 2024). The Clean Water Sports Alliance of Angling Trust, British Rowing, British Triathlon, GB Outrigger, Paddle UK, Royal Yachting Association and Swim England has united over the issue of water pollution, setting the vision to achieve healthy and nature-rich blue spaces across the UK for everyone to enjoy water sports.

Strategy

• Sports for Climate Action, opens in a new tab, United Nations Climate Change, (accessed 9 January 2026). Provides Action objectives, principles, targets, requirements, and frameworks to support and guide sports organisation in achieving global climate change goals.

Resources

• Sports for Climate Action training course, opens in a new tab (launched April 2025). Two free, self-paced, online training courses have been designed to support sports organisations – from local clubs to international governing bodies – in adopting and implementing sustainable practices that reduce their environmental impact. Both courses were developed by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), through the UN CC:Learn Programme, the UN Climate Change Secretariat, and adidas.
  • Introduction to Sports for Climate Action, opens in a new tab: Designed for anyone interested in how sports and climate change intersect, this course explores how sport contributes to and is affected by climate change, and what can be done to build a more sustainable, resilient sports sector. It comprises four short modules (about 1 hour and 20 minutes in total) featuring interactive lessons, videos, quizzes and practical activities.
  • Sports for Climate Action, opens in a new tab: Geared primarily toward staff of sports organizations, this advanced course builds on the introductory course and offers actionable strategies for integrating climate considerations into operations, business planning, and stakeholder engagement. The course includes five in-depth modules (about 4 hours in total) with case studies, expert interviews, and practical exercises.