Greening the game- Sports and climate change

Sports truly serves as a remarkable equaliser, and one of the standout features is how competition highlights talent, ensuring that those who excel are rewarded for their hard work. The thrill of the game often sends adrenaline coursing through our veins, especially when we witness young players showcasing their skills and challenging the seasoned veterans of the sport.

Take, for instance, the young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who recently captured our attention during the IPL matches. With his bat in hand, he moves with the grace and precision of a knight in battle, effortlessly sending the ball hurtling across the field, much to the delight of fans. His dynamic play reminds us of the excitement we felt in the past when a young Sachin Tendulkar first graced the cricket grounds. I can still picture him stepping onto the field, exuding confidence, and executing a perfect straight drive, standing and balanced on his toes as he sent the ball racing to the boundary. Those magical moments are forever etched in our memories, showcasing the sheer joy and passion that sports bring to our lives. However, it is possible that this joy and high-class craftsmanship may not always be available if the current trend of climate change due to global warming continues to intensify. Currently, the Indian team is playing in England, and by all accounts, pitches are dry and flat, the zip in the air that allows the ball to swing massively is missing, hence the batters are piling runs on flat tracks. According to the UK Met Office, June 2025 was England’s warmest June on record. In June 2023, the UK recorded its second warmest June since 1884, with average daily maximum temperatures significantly exceeding the long-term meteorological averages. England noted its third-highest and the UK its sixth-highest average temperature for this month over the documented period.

The influence of climate change on sporting events is becoming increasingly apparent. A pertinent historical example is the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and New Zealand, during which adverse weather conditions, particularly rainfall, significantly impacted the outcome. The rainfall disrupted the match, providing New Zealand with an opportunity to regroup, while India faced difficulties under the ensuing pressure.

This situation highlights the urgent need for sporting organisations to implement measures that address the effects of climate change. For instance, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the world’s largest cricket tournaments and also a significant contributor to carbon emissions, primarily due to its scale, travel demands, energy consumption, and fan engagement. According to 2023 estimates, the IPL featured 74 matches with total in-person attendance exceeding 3.5 million across ten Indian cities. The tournament is responsible for generating between 3,300 to 5,600 tons of carbon emissions in just two months, positioning it alongside major global sporting events such as Formula 1 and the Tour de France. These emissions stem from various factors, including logistics, travel, stadium operations, food services, plastic waste, and energy usage.

But this is not the sole example; the impact of climate change is evident across all sports. In 2018, the organisers of the US Open instituted a new tournament policy allowing players to take heat breaks during their matches. A comparable incident occurred at another Grand Slam event due to wildfires and poor air quality, which ultimately necessitated player withdrawals. According to a report, it may become unfeasible to conduct the Winter Olympics in the absence of sufficient snow or ice (AISTS Client Team Project – 2018 Climate Change and The Olympic Winter Games). Furthermore, one should also note that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament moved from summer to November–December to avoid unplayable 45–50°C heat, yet Qatar used air-conditioned outdoor stadiums, raising concerns about energy consumption and emissions.

One of the most remarkable features of prominent sporting events, such as the Olympics or the World Cup, is their ability to shine a spotlight on pressing social, economic, and cultural issues. These grand occasions draw significant media attention and large audiences, making them powerful platforms for raising awareness about topics like poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. For instance, sports organizations can leverage the excitement of these events to encourage fans to engage with campaigns aimed at promoting social change. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that, without careful consideration and effective planning, these same events can sometimes perpetuate the issues they seek to highlight. Poorly executed initiatives or a lack of sensitivity to the challenges faced by marginalized groups can lead to missed opportunities, inadvertently reinforcing the very problems that need to be addressed. Thus, the role of event organizers is vital in ensuring that their efforts contribute positively to societal progress while maximizing the impact of the global platform they have at their disposal.

At the policy level, it can be argued that the International Olympic Committee has taken the issue of climate change seriously since the Rio Summit in 1991. This summit established Agenda 21 for the coming century and led to the signing of the Earth Pledge at the XXV Olympiad in Barcelona. Notably, in 1994, the environment was recognized as the third pillar of the Olympic Games to promote responsible engagement with environmental concerns. In a similar vein, leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government undertook extensive measures to enhance air quality. Reports indicate that approximately 300,000 high-emission vehicles were removed from the roads, and green cover in the city increased by 43% before the Games, contributing to the absorption of carbon dioxide generated during the event. There is a continuous attempt to address the issue of environment, climate change, or sustainability, but the big event sporting occasions are not only being affected by climate change, but also emit carbon emissions. As of now, there are far and few attempts by the organisers or governments to offset the total carbon emitted during an event from the adaptive or mitigative measures. The London Olympics 2012 were the first Olympics that started measuring carbon footprint and committed to maintaining zero waste. The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) initiated the “Sports for Climate Action framework” in 2018, and signatories are encouraged to establish a climate action agenda in the sports industry.

It is to be noted that the integration of sports and entertainment is rapidly becoming a pivotal economic driver, poised to create millions of job opportunities across various sectors. In developing countries like ours, which are still in the early stages of growth and advancement in sports and cultural events, it is essential to adopt strategic planning that incorporates environmental sustainability, addresses climate change, and promotes responsible practices. By focusing on eco-friendly initiatives and sustainable event management, we can enhance the local economy, boost tourism, and foster community engagement. According to conservative estimates, Eras tour of Taylor Swift in the year 2023-24 has generated $2.08 billion. Organising events that feature local talent and highlight cultural heritage not only supports the economy but also underlines the importance of preserving our environment. Embracing these principles will not only strengthen our competitive edge in the global arena but also ensure a more prosperous and sustainable future for our communities. As a country, we are aiming to host the Olympics in 1936 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. By all standards city is known for high heat waves, and was the first to adopt the Heat Action Plan 2013. So, there is a need to work multidimensionally to integrate several institutions, the public and private sectors, to ensure that during the sporting event, the temperature remains stable. And to do that, one should act now.

Few measures could be

• Adopt a policy mandate for green standards for all stadiums (solar, water reuse, waste segregation) as part of the national sports policy.
• Work on the state, and city resilience cum climate change action plan with measurable indicators and result outcome.
• Increase the percentage of forest coverage in each Indian state and city.
• Encourage franchise to embed sustainability in team operations and CSR (tree planting, local resilience work)
• Encourage the fans through gamified green pledges, low-carbon fan challenges, and climate storytelling.
• Empower sports persons to come forward and to become climate ambassadors.
• Building awareness at the school and the community levels about environmental responsibility.

Hence, when you settle in front of the TV to cheer on our favourite javelin thrower, Mr. Neeraj Chopra, as he finds his rhythm and aims to soar past the 90-meter mark for another gold medal for our country, it’s essential to keep the climate change agenda front and centre, fully integrated into our system.

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