1.1. Threats of sustainability

1.1.1. Environmental responsibility

Sports activities often have a high consumption of natural resources, such as water and energy, and generate waste. Sustainability in sport seeks to reduce this negative impact on the natural environment.

1.1.2. Social Impact

Sport has a powerful social reach and can affect the community in a variety of ways. Social sustainability refers to the promotion of equal opportunities, inclusion and access to sport for all.

1.1.3. Economic profitability

Economic sustainability in sport involves the responsible management of financial resources, ensuring that sports projects are feasible and that long- term benefits are generated.

1.2. Opportunities in relation with sustainability

On the other hand, sustainability in sport offers several benefits, both for the environment and for society and the economy.

1.2.1. Environmental benefits

Through measures such as reducing energy and water consumption, waste management and promoting sustainable mobility.

1.2.2. Social benefits

Through measures such as accessibility to sports facilities, inclusion of disadvantaged groups, promotion of physical and environmental education and injury prevention.

1.2.3. Economic benefits

Through measures such as reducing operating costs and improving brand image. Even the most important planetary organizations include sustainability among the main topics of discussion.

1.3. Connectivity to EU directives

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an action program for people, the planet and prosperity signed in September 2015 by the governments of the 193 member countries of the United Nations. It encompasses the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To achieve sustainable development, it is important to harmonize three fundamental elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

The role of sport is important in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its universal language unites peoples, cultures and genders. In 2017, UNESCO, during the 6th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials responsible for Physical Education and Sport (Mineps VI), made the Kazan Plan, a global agreement that combines sports policies and the Sustainable Development Goals, operational.

Specifically, sport intervenes on many of the goals set:

• it ensures a healthy life and promotes the well-being of all;
• guarantees quality education, gender equality;
• promotes economic growth and decent work;
• reduces inequalities between countries;
• it makes cities resilient, safe and sustainable;
• promotes peaceful

1.3.1.    Objectives related to sport

The possible role of sport in achieving each of the 17 goals might be:

• SDGs 1. Ending poverty / SDGs 8. Work and economic growth: sport is obviously also economy and work; In fact, the sports sector encompasses types of employment at different levels, capable of offering ample job and income opportunities even for the less well-off social categories.
• SDGs 2. Achieving zero hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture: sport can raise awareness of the importance of buying sustainable food, food security, healthy nutrition and sustainable agriculture.
• OSS 3. Health and well-being: sports activity improves well-being, health and prevents diseases and is an excellent tool for education to an active and healthy In addition, the variety of existing sports ensures that sports can be practiced at all ages and in all physical conditions and at all income levels.
• SDGs 4. Providing quality education/ SDGs 5. Gender equality: sport and physical education can motivate children and young people to attend and engage in education, and through the practice of sport, key skills and values such as tolerance and inclusion can be taught, sending a positive message for the elimination of gender differences even in broader
• SDGs 6. Sustainable water management /SDG 7. Clean energy: sports contexts such as water sports can promote and bring about improvements in water quality by reducing pollution and waste. Water use efficiency and energy efficiency also need to be improved in sports facilities by applying relevant standards and regulations.
• OSS 9. Promoting innovation and resilient infrastructure: sport can provide innovative and accessible sports spaces, supporting the construction and renovation of infrastructure, including sports
• SDG 10. Reducing inequalities between countries: Sport is an effective tool for addressing inequality in hard-to-reach areas and for empowering individuals and communities.
• SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities: sport encourages a green economy, the resilience of cities, the healthiness of environments. A healthy sporting activity requires the search for clean spaces, whether they are outdoors or indoors. Sport can help remove obstacles and barriers in the environment, transport and public services to ensure access for all, including persons with disabilities.
• SDGs 12-13-14-15 Sustainable development: sport can support sustainable consumption and production and nature-friendly lifestyles, reducing the environmental impact of sporting events (e.g. plastic-free stadiums and stadiums with photovoltaic panels, recycling of sports equipment, eco-sustainable uniforms, separate waste disposal). In addition, sports and sporting events, especially aquatic sports, can be excellent platforms for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas.
• SDGs 16-17 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Partnerships: sport offers a powerful communication platform to spread values such as respect, fair-play and The global reach and universal character of sport make it a fundamental tool for pooling resources, creating synergies and creating multi-stakeholder networks and partnerships to foster sustainable development and the achievement of peace goals.

1.4. Sustainability of sport events in global context

In terms of sustainability, an important contribution is made by the organization and implementation of sporting events. Sporting events often consume significant resources and have a significant impact on the environment, involving aspects such as stadium construction, spectator influx management, carbon emissions, waste generation and much more.

According to a study by the United Nations Organization (UN Environment Emissions Gap Report), the sports sector produces between 1% and 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In some countries, including Italy, there is a positive trend in action to reduce these emissions.

An effective control and planning tool is given by the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy, which is taking on an increasingly central role in the panorama of sporting events. Within sport events, this strategy refers to the approach taken by organizers to manage and integrate environmental, social and governance considerations into their activities and decisions. This approach aims to promote sustainability, social inclusion, accountability and transparency in the organization and conduct of sporting events. It includes actions such as reducing the environmental impact of events, promoting diversity and inclusion, protecting human rights, and improving corporate governance and ethics. ESG strategy is essential to ensure that sporting events are managed responsibly and sustainably, respecting the environment, the people and the communities involved.

Sport represents a privileged channel through which to act and communicate sustainability and it is precisely on this aspect that the medium and long-term plans of many sports organizations are focusing. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the United Nations share the goal of making the world a more peaceful and sustainable place. For the IOC, this means ensuring that sport plays a vital role in promoting education, peace, social inclusion and a healthy lifestyle. And when in 2015 sport was officially recognized as an important stimulator of sustainable development and was included in the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the IOC developed its strategy, placing Sustainability as one of the three pillars of the Olympic 2020 Agenda, together with Credibility and Youth. The Olympic Agenda 2020+5 is the new plan that regulates the next 5 years and adds some key trends to the five main areas (infrastructure and natural sites, procurement and management of resources, mobility, workforce and climate): Solidarity, Digitalization, Sustainability, Credibility, Economic and Financial Resilience. As the leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC uses its influence to encourage the entire Olympic Movement – including National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations and athletes – to make sport more sustainable.

The European Commission has also contributed to the debate on the subject, through recommendations on green and sustainable sport. The result of a shared work within the Expert Group on Green and Sustainable Sport created by the European Commission in conjunction with the provisions of the fourth EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024, of which the Department for Sport has been an integral part since 2021, the recommendations aim to understand the landscape of “green sports” within the EU and map the projects, existing initiatives and practices.

1.5. European strategies in relation with sustainability

Aimed mainly at European and national public authorities responsible for sport and organizations in the sports sector, the recommendations are divided into 4 sections:

• Innovative cross-industry solutions;
• Sustainable sports infrastructure;
• Sustainable sporting events;
• Education and promotion of sustainable sports

They represent a concrete common strategy aimed at encouraging the different actors operating in the world of sport to adopt measures, practices and actions that have a lower impact on the environment, supporting consumption, sustainable production and lifestyles that respect nature. The policies and actions of policymakers in EU Member States, international and national sports federations, professional and grassroots sports clubs, the fitness sector, the sporting goods industry, the sports tourism sector, but also consumers, leisure athletes and, finally, fans, have a significant impact on the climate and the environment.

Member States are invited to:

• developing national strategies for sustainable sport;
• make public funding to national governing bodies in the sports sector conditional on the achievement of sustainability objectives.

Sports organizations are invited to:

• establish the carbon footprint, i.e. the measure of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere by activities for one’s sport;
• develop environmental sustainability plans as part of the development strategy of their sport.

The Commission’s recommendations represent a clear picture of the strong desire of the sports world to act on issues related to environmental sustainability to which sport is also called upon to contribute and are consistent with the international and European standards of the Green Deal and the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

In addition, the call for expressions of interest to take part in the Community of Practice on Green and Sustainable Sport SHARE 2.0 has been launched, whose members will work on the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group on Green Sport. This community will be open to all former members of the Group and all those interested in playing an active role in making sport more sustainable.

1.5.1. Sport for Climate Action initiative

The Sport for Climate Action initiative is another initiative towards environmental sustainability. Promoted in 2016 by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and other institutions to unite the efforts of the sports community towards environmental sustainability. The goal is to involve the world of sport in the fight against climate change, with a focus on reducing CO2 emissions and climate education, promoting sustainable and responsible consumption and encouraging concrete climate action through communication.

1.5.2. Possible solutions to make sports more sustainable for the environment

There are numerous start-ups and initiatives committed to making sports activities and practice increasingly carbon free. Let’s see some of the possible innovations to alter the bio-physicality of the planet less and less.

For traditional sports that are already popular, there are multiple ways to increase their sustainability. The implementation of energy-efficient lighting systems in sports facilities, the use of recycled water to maintain playgrounds, and the promotion of recycling and waste reduction during sporting events are just some of the viable solutions.

Additionally, promoting local sporting events can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with travel. Encouraging the use of sustainable means of transport, such as bicycles and public transport, by spectators and athletes, further contributes to this goal.

The involvement of sports federations, athletes and fans is crucial to promoting a sports culture that values sustainability. Through collaboration, it is possible to develop initiatives that make sport not only a means of keeping individuals physically active but also a vehicle for environmental protection.

Technological advancement and sustainable innovation are opening up new avenues to make sports more environmentally friendly. Recycled and recyclable materials are becoming increasingly common in sports equipment, from clothing to accessories, reducing the ecological footprint of athletes.

1.5.3.    Sustainable materials in focus

The use of eco-friendly materials to produce sports equipment is a fundamental step towards a more sustainable sport. Surfboards made from renewable materials, soccer balls made from recycled materials, and sportswear made from sustainable fibers are examples of how the sports industry is embracing sustainability.

The sustainable management of sporting events is another key area. This includes everything from reducing waste and water consumption to using renewable energy to power events. Carbon offset programs for major international sporting events are becoming increasingly common, helping to neutralize the environmental impact of such events.

Encouraging athletes and fans to use sustainable means of transport is essential. This can be achieved through offering affordable and efficient public transport options for sporting events, as well as promoting the use of cycling and walking as eco-friendly alternatives.

Education plays a crucial role in promoting more sustainable sport. Raising awareness among athletes, fans and organizers about the environmental impacts of sport and sustainable practices can spur significant change. Awareness campaigns and educational programs can encourage more responsible behavior and conscious choices among sports fans.

In conclusion, while we strive to make environmentally sustainable sports a widespread reality, success depends on collaboration between the sports industry, athletes, fans and communities. Through innovation, education and active participation, we can ensure that sport continues to bring joy and togetherness, while minimizing its impact on the environment.