Sport Positive Summit Highlights Sport's Role in Addressing Climate Change

October 9, 2020 

Representatives from United Nations Climate Change, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), sports organisations and bodies, climate stakeholders, Government and UN bodies came together last week for the first edition of the Sport Positive Summit.

The virtual Summit brought together over 500 participants to discuss the role of sport in the global fight against climate change and post-COVID recovery. Conversations covered how sports operations and events can move towards a low carbon future, as well as educating and engaging fans and athletes on climate change. 

According to the United Nations (UN) the need for climate action is all the more pressing given the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact. The pandemic has been a siren call for stronger action in the face of global threats, along with a series of recent extreme weather events. 

"Environmental concern and climate change are at the centre of public concern and political consciousness right now, and sport and nature are inextricably linked. Crucial early adopters have been working towards sport having a lower environmental footprint for decades, but a critical mass of sport properties globally are getting behind this effort right now," noted the Summit organisers. 

"Sport has never been in a more powerful position to harness the zeitgeist to drive change that will futureproof its own activities, positively impact the world for generations to come, and evolve the sports business model towards a more sustainable economic foundation."

The UN Sport for Climate Action Framework has two overarching goals: to achieve a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change through commitments and partnerships, and to use sports as a unifying tool among global citizens for climate action. 

“Sport reminds us of our collective ability to overcome the seemingly impossible,” said Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, addressing the participants. “The convergence of the two global crises, climate change and COVID-19, has opened a window of opportunity to not simply recover from the virus, but to build forward, to build cities and communities that are safe, healthy, green and sustainable.” 

“With almost 160 organisations on board and counting, the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework has created real momentum across the sports world to join forces against the climate crisis,” said Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Corporate and Sustainable Development. “The IOC is fully committed to taking effective action to help address this crisis and will continue to guide and inspire the rest of the Olympic Movement in their climate and sustainability journey.” 

Already climate neutral, the IOC has recently announced its ambition to become climate positive by 2024. It has also committed to making the Olympic Games climate positive from 2030 onwards, going beyond the current requirement for the Games to be carbon neutral. 

“The Summit showed the different ways of addressing the intersection between sport and climate change,” said Oluseyi Smith, two-time Olympian and IOC Young Leader, who spoke at the event. “Events like this help mobilise more in our sports community to do something, no matter how small, in our collective race against climate change.” 

The event also covered diversity and inclusion in sport and the importance of nature conservation for sustainable sport. 

“This Summit has been an incredible show of commitment and focus from across the sports world to drive sustainability forward despite the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Claire Poole, Founder and CEO of the Sport Positive Summit. “It is about inspiring action and providing those who may be only at the beginning of their sustainability journey with expertise and guidance to ensure the most effective action.”