The Olympics are part of a push to “green” sports. Here’s why that’s important

When the Olympic Games opened last week in Paris, France, they did so with the promise they would be the greenest in history.

Among other things, organizers say the games will run entirely on renewable energy, feature mostly locally grown food, and cut down on the massive amount of single-use plastic that plagued previous Olympics.  

Observers say the games will be a litmus test for whether the world’s biggest sporting events, which have been criticized for their impact on the environment, can truly deliver on promises to be more sustainable. 

“With the right planning, major sports events like the Olympics and Football World Cup can serve as a shining example of how humanity can live in harmony with nature,” said Susan Gardner, the director of the Ecosystems Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Susan Gardner, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Sustainability and Legacy Committee, discussed the importance of sports in addressing the rapid decline of the natural world, highlighting the UNEP-supported Sports for Nature initiative, which aims to make sports better stewards of nature.

She said, “Right now, human activities are putting ecosystems under enormous pressure, with a growing number of species facing the prospect of extinction from the impacts of nature loss, climate change, and pollution.”

She insisted that the crisis requires collaboration from governments, businesses, and sports federations to address environmental issues and inspire a new nature movement, encouraging their followers to protect and restore the planet.

How exactly can sports help counter the nature crisis?

Susan said that Sport for Nature’s four-point plan focuses on conserving and restoring lost nature, reducing drawdown through sustainable procurement, and inspiring players and fans through resource provision and event hosting.

Are sports becoming more sustainable?

Susan highlighted that sports are increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainability, but sustainability departments are often understaffed and over-tasked. Despite this, many sports federations are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. The International Olympic Committee has integrated sustainability into the Olympics, while World Rugby has developed a 10-point plan for nature. The Sport for Climate Action movement has also helped sports reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What impact has Sport for Nature had so far?

Susan highlighted the progress of a young initiative with 62 signatories, supporting the Biodiversity Plan, a global accord aimed at protecting and restoring the natural world.

Sport for Nature is a partnership between UNEP, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the International Olympic Committee, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the support of Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.

“This collaborative approach is working well but for many sports, this is a new area that is not fully understood yet. We hope to change that in the coming months. Because of its incredible reach and influence, the sports world can showcase to the planet the importance of safeguarding our ecosystems”, Susan said.

What practical steps can sports organizations take to protect and restore nature?

Susan emphasized that sports officials can improve ecosystems in urban environments by incorporating natural elements into venues, designing habitats for native species, and choosing outdoor sports venues that avoid ecologically sensitive areas and protect landscapes.

She said, “With its incredible reach and influence, the sports world can showcase to the planet the importance of safeguarding our ecosystems.”

She highlighted the global triple planetary crisis, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste, affecting sports, health, competition schedules, and extreme weather, causing further consequences for climate-vulnerable communities.

She suggested that nature can help sustain sports by increasing cooling, restoring wetlands, and cleaning rivers. The sports world can serve as a model for protecting and restoring nature, and the urgent crisis requires collaboration from governments, businesses, and individuals to safeguard ecosystems.