Sports, at all levels, have had a disadvantageous impact on the environment through travel to events, energy consumption, and the use of specialist short-life equipment.
The Rapid Transition Alliance estimates that sport contributes 0.8% of global emissions, the equivalent of a medium-sized country.
In the ‘vise-versa’ model, climate change is already having a significant impact on sports at the elite and community levels. Playing surfaces are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Winter flooding renders pitches unplayable, disrupting fixtures and jeopardizing participation and interest.
By 2050, almost a quarter of football league grounds are projected to be partially or completely flooded. Summer temperatures and periods of drought also threaten pitches and courses across a range of different sports. Higher temperatures and poor air quality during summer months also threaten sporting events at all levels. Athletes are increasingly suffering from heat exhaustion adversely impacting performance and causing detrimental impacts on health and wellbeing.
—-By 2050, almost a quarter of football league grounds are projected to be partially or completely flooded
Sporting schedules are being adjusted to avoid the hottest parts of the day or the year. Extreme heat policies were once prepared for remote possibilities but are now routinely used across a range of sports. Winter sports are also susceptible to climate change. A report by the Rapid Transition Alliance highlighted that half of previous Winter Olympic and Paralympic cities would be unable to host the Games by 2050 due to the impact of global warming.
