The World Surf League (WSL) showcases transformative impact in biodiversity through its WSL One Ocean initiative. Since January 2023, WSL, in partnership with Shiseido and YETI, has led significant projects including coral restoration in French Polynesia, native plant restoration in Hawaii, and river clean-ups in Brazil and El Salvador. Working with local partners like Coral Gardeners, Surfrider Foundation, Conservation International, and the North Shore Community Land Trust, these efforts have yielded impressive results: over 100,000 corals planted, 45,374 hectares restored, and 2 tons of plastic removed from rivers. Additionally, 1,635 volunteers have engaged in these projects, and 3,041 youths have been educated, contributing to a 225% increase in engagement.

WSL’s innovative approach, integrating creative techniques and community involvement, sets new standards in environmental stewardship. By documenting and sharing insights through case studies, WSL offers valuable knowledge to the global conservation community. This commitment to long-term sustainability, along with alignment with international frameworks like UN Sports for Climate Action and the UN Ocean Decade, ensures a lasting legacy and exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving meaningful environmental change.

The Green Gooners Cup, a collaboration between Ball Corporation and Arsenal FC, aimed to reduce environmental impact by promoting sustainable practices among Arsenal supporters. Launched on Global Recycling Day, the campaign engaged fans in activities like recycling, choosing aluminium products, eating meat-free meals, and reducing car use. Utilising the Planet League platform, the three-week campaign featured Arsenal stars Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus, and Jorginho, who encouraged participation through engaging content.

The results surpassed expectations: 7,679 unique entrants, 55,999 green goals scored, 22 million media impressions, and global participation from 164 countries. Media coverage on Sky Sports, Sky Sports News, The Sun and Forbes amplified the campaign’s reach.

Feedback from supporters was overwhelmingly positive, with 97% motivated to live greener and 96% considering it the best sustainability campaign they had seen. The Green Gooners Cup stands out for its innovative, inclusive, and transformative approach, leveraging sports to drive significant environmental change.

Environmental action is central to Starboard. We strive to reduce our impact in any feasible way, from implementing sustainable solutions at our Bangkok Headquarters, to discovering better materials to use in our boards. Our latest report revealed a 49% reduction in scope 1 emissions, but this is only the beginning. Believing that neutrality is not enough when it comes to environmental impact, Starboard endeavours to make a positive impact on the planet, through actively tackling plastic pollution and climate change.

To date, our Plastic Offset Program has collected over 900,000kg of shoreline plastic and we’ve planted 3 million mangroves, absorbing 10 times the amount of CO2 which we release to the atmosphere.

Simultaneously, Starboard supports worldwide sporting events and federations, to improve their impact and join the 10X Climate-Positive movement The Olympic iQFOiL Class, designed by Starboard, exemplifies our approach to impact. We calculate the CO2 emissions from both iQFOiL equipment and events, then plant enough mangroves to offset emissions 10X over. Moreover, for every iQFOiL board sold, 11.4kg of beach plastic is collected, equating to the weight of the board. We aim to demonstrate to other Olympic sports how they too can make a positive environmental impact.

The Jadir Taekwondo Association (AJTKD) has been supporting children and youth from Rio de Janeiro’s vulnerable communities for over two decades. One of its flagship programs, Kicking for Nature, combines free Taekwondo classes with environmental education to instil awareness, protection, and climate action among its participants.

The program operates in a safe and welcoming environment, creatively integrating nature into its curriculum while addressing the UN SDGs. As part of the initiative, students participate in several activities, including tree planting, restoration of the Atlantic Rainforest biome, and various workshops and lectures on topics related to sustainability and the importance of the Amazon Rainforest.

Recognized with the prestigious BBC Green Sport Awards, AJTKD’s innovative approach highlights the interconnectedness of martial arts and the environment. This holistic program addresses physical inactivity, social exclusion, and limited access to nature in underprivileged urban communities. By blending sports training with nature restoration and educational support, AJTKD cultivates environmental consciousness and action, empowering youth to protect the Atlantic Forest and recognize its vital role in the health of the Amazon and the planet.

The Red Way (TRW) at LFC is a pioneering sustainability initiative that transforms sustainability into a lifestyle integrated into every facet of the club’s operations. TRW focuses on three strategic pillars: Our People, Our Planet, and Our Communities, offering a comprehensive education and training program targeting staff, fans, and local communities.

The training covers ethics, equality, diversity, inclusion, environmental sustainability, and community engagement through diverse delivery methods, including in-person workshops, webinars, and digital platforms like the My Career and Development hub. By linking training to performance reviews, TRW ensures accountability and continuous improvement.

TRW’s uniqueness lies in its holistic approach, actively involving stakeholders from staff and athletes to fans and partners. These collaborations provide tangible actions for sustainable living, evidenced by a 98% reusable cup return rate and 86,500 kgCO2e savings through plant-based diets. With a social return on investment of £13.36 for every £1 spent, TRW demonstrates measurable impact, both locally and globally, through LFC International Academies and community outreach in Liverpool and NYC. Achieving ISO 20121, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001 certifications showcases LFC’s commitment to excellence.

TRW’s innovative methodology, inclusive engagement, and significant social impact position it as a leading example of sustainability in the sports industry.

Microplastic is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. It harms plants, animals and people. It fuels the climate crisis, causes serious human health problems and threatens plants and animals. Synthetic sport surfaces play an important role in society. They can be used in almost any weather condition and without them it would be impossible to maintain a comprehensive training and competition program.

However, there is one serious disadvantage: sports facilities made from synthetic materials release significant quantities of microplastics along with their harmful substances such as stabilizers, plasticizers and PFAS. According to the Fraunhofer Institute an average artificial football pitch releases 2,98t of microplastic from infill material into the environment annually. According to the institute plastic “grass blades” can add up to another ton of plastic per pitch and year.

In a pilot project with VfL Wolfsburg, 70 specially designed GUPPYFRIEND stainless steel mesh filters for gully and drain were implemented to prevent microplastics from synthetic infill-material and synthetic grass-blades from entering soil and water systems. In an assessment by the DFL (German Football League) and DFB (German Football Association) the Guppyfriend solutions were evaluated and highly recommended to other clubs.

Karishma is a footballer and the founder of Karishma Ali Foundation and she belongs to Chitral Valley Pakistan. She grew up with no opportunities to play sports because it was not common or even allowed for girls to play sports. She broke down all barriers and along the way started an initiative Karishma Ali Foundation.

Karishma Ali Foundation began as the dream of a 19-year-old girl from Chitral , where she stood as the first and only female athlete among a population of 500,000 in Chitral in 2018. With a vision of sharing her experiences with other girls in her region, today she is directly impacting the lives of 500 girls. As a registered non-governmental organization (NGO), the Karishma Ali Foundation is one of the very few women led organiations that supports innovative and sustainable sport and physical activity programs as a strategy for social change and women’s empowerment, particularly in marginalized communities (with a special focus on girls from the Kalash community).

Our multifaceted approach combines sports training, mental health support through art therapy, education on Gender based violence and leadership development to equip these girls with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

The Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership (LEKEP) aims to tackle inequalities, remove barriers to physical activity, and address the climate crisis by recycling and distributing unwanted sports kit to the most deprived communities in Leeds.

Our innovative partnership not only addresses social inequalities but also significantly reduces waste, supporting our city’s net-zero carbon ambitions. Our strength-based approach celebrates diverse methods and utilises each partner’s assets for impactful change. We deeply understand and respond to the unique needs of our communities, providing appropriate sports attire and removing the stigma associated with recycled kit. This inclusivity alleviates complex barriers and reduces inequalities, by providing local people with the opportunity to participate in physical activity.

Our partnership influences large companies to reduce landfill, fostering a more environmentally sustainable approach and supports local organisations in creating their own kit donation schemes, reducing waste, creating a community-driven circular economy. Our partnership contributes to creating a healthier, more inclusive, and environmentally conscious community in Leeds. We are committed to reflecting on and sharing our learnings to inspire others to collaborate for sustainable change. Our dedication and goodwill drive us to change lives and make a significant impact on the climate crisis.

Arabinrin Aderonke is a force for change in Nigeria and across Africa, leveraging her platform to make an impact.

As the founder and Executive Director of the FAME Foundation for Girls and Women Empowerment, she is a distinguished leader who uses sports to drive social and environmental progress. Through her innovative sports programs, she has empowered thousands of women and girls, advancing gender equality and sustainability.

Her notable achievements include organising impactful events such as the Green Ball Walk for Climate, Green Community Outreach, and various boot camps and Life Skills Development through Sports Sessions, as well as developing educational programs on gender equality, sports, and climate change. Aderonke’s efforts have garnered support from major international organizations, and she actively contributes to global sustainability discussions.

Her dedication and leadership make her a prominent figure in advancing regional and global goals through the transformative power of sports.

Amara was the first Thai woman to become a windsurfing World Champion and has won over 200 titles. Also an inspiring environmental advocate, Amara utilises her position as a national icon to lead others into joining her in combating Thailand’s plastic pollution crisis.

On a mission to protect the ocean, which she describes as her home, Amara leads a group of community volunteers, aged between 18 months to 83 years old, to collect litter from beaches, rivers and mangrove forests in Pattaya. Innovatively, Amara teaches volunteers to clean up waterways from stand-up paddle boards, recognising the equipment’s unique ability to access trash amongst mangrove roots and safely get people into watersports.

Amara propels her mission by collaborating with other influential athletes and empowering people across Thailand with her environmental education and motivational stories. Through sharing her personal experiences of seeing marine life impacted by litter, and her remarkable life story of overcoming extreme poverty to become World Champion, Amara profoundly inspires the hundreds of children she works with.

Heralded ‘a Green Hero’, Amara’s effective leadership and tireless effort is influencing change at the critical level, through cooperation from national corporations, authorities and governments, who all seek to work with her.

Susie has been involved in sport and sustainability for over 20 years, setting and raising the benchmark of delivery across teams, events, venues and governing bodies.

She has been behind the award-winning sustainability programmes of America’s Cup team Ben Ainslie Racing, Liverpool Football Club’s the Red Way, SailGP’s sustainability programme, conceptualising and developing their Impact League.

She has developed World Sailing’s Agenda 2030, World Athletics’ sustainability strategy and their Athletics for a Better World Sustainable Event Standard, Goodwood’s Estate wide strategy and sustainability across their flagship events. She has also been behind numerous other sustainability programmes across cycling, rugby, lacrosse, football both in the UK and internationally.

Susie has contributed to the development of many sustainability sport frameworks and pioneered the use of international standards to drive and maintain and push the ambition level we need to reach.

Dr. Allen Hershkowitz is Environmental Science and Sustainability Advisor to the National Basketball Association, the New York Yankees, Major League Soccer, the Los Angeles Clippers, the NYCFC and serves as an environmental advisor to the NHLand the USTA.

Working with the Commissioners of Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer Hershkowitz was instrumental in creating the influential environmental programs at MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS.

At the request of Billie Jean King he also created the environmental program at the USTA. In so doing, Hershkowitz was instrumental in launching the global movement to leverage sports to promote sustainability. He led the effort to create the US-based Green Sports Alliance and served as GSA’s President and as a Founding Board Director. He also co-founded Sport and Sustainability International and served as its Founding Chairman.

Sports Business Journal listed him among the “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business.” Worth magazine listed him among “The 60 Most Powerful People in Sports.” According to Green Sports Blog: “Hershkowitz is the most consequential environmentalist in the history of North American sports.”

Dr Sheila Nguyen’s 20+ years of professional life can be understood as service to our natural world- via sport.

For her work, Sheila was given the Honorary Lifetime Member award from the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) and recognised as an Australian Financial Review Top 100 Women of Influence (2019). She has contributed to research, SXSW 2024 & 2023, TEDx, COP21 in Paris (2015), and many other global sport and sustainability forums.

Sheila is a Leadership in Energy; Environmental Design Associate and sits on a number of boards and advisory committees including as a member of both the technical and revision committees for ISO 20121: 2012 Event Sustainability Management Systems, and recently served as a judge for both the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) Awards 2023 and SailGP’s Impact League Awards 2024.

She successfully delivered the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Sustainability Strategy as the tournament’s Head of Sustainability, and is the Co-Founder and an NED of the Sports Environment Alliance, the coalition of sport & planet leaders in Australia and New Zealand working to protect the places where we play so we can continue to do what we love- watch and play sport.

Rodrigo M. Weinhardt is a Brazilian sports manager specializing in communication and marketing, with a career dedicated to strategic planning. He holds degrees in journalism and law, with specializations in sports communication, press relations, and ESG. Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree

Weinhardt has worked to promote the integration of sports, the environment, and biodiversity conservation, believing in the transformative and modifying power of sports. He is the creator of the FairPlay Ambiental project, a prominent initiative in Brazilian sports aimed at raising awareness about the importance of environmental preservation and making sports a catalyst for sustainability.

He implemented the first environmental sustainability program at a Brazilian football club, Nossa Identidade Verde, at Coritiba FC.

Sailing’s 11th Hour Racing Team released its Impact Report in September 2023, showcasing its success as a sustainability-led organisation, creating a better future for the marine and sailing community.

The interactive report – delivered by Think Beyond – details the specific methods, data, innovations, and key learnings, as well as the challenges faced in their quest to become a sustainable sports team. It concludes with clear recommendations on the most impactful steps that can be taken to reduce the footprint of a high performance sailing team, while highlighting the constraints of a business as usual approach and the need for a new definition of success within the marine industry.

It is a leading example of how a sports organisation can go beyond simply reporting emissions, to place sustainability at the heart of a campaign with the objective of inspiring, challenging and sharing learnings with the industry around it.

There is an urgent need for the marine industry to align to the Paris Agreement’s requirement of a 45% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and by publishing its Impact Report, 11th Hour Racing Team’s intention was to provoke innovation and collaboration to achieve that goal.

Sport and the environment are closely connected, but this relationship is under threat from global warming and climate change. Brian McCullough reviews the sport ecology research landscape and finds that the research focuses on how sports organizations, from individual events to the entire global sector, tackle climate change in two main ways reducing environmental impact and adapting to environmental changes.

He examines previous research in these areas and identifies gaps that need to be addressed to improve our understanding of environmental management in sports. He also explores practical responses to climate change, using examples from other fields to enhance research and guide industry practices.

As the sports sector evolves, there is a growing movement where sports organizations face pressure to align their environmental values with their operations, such as reducing short-haul flights and reconsidering carbon-intensive sponsorships. Brian offers recommendations on how sports organizations can engage fans and participants in meaningful climate action, demonstrating clear results and the role that academic research can have in supporting industry efforts to be more sustainable.

BBC Sport researched 100 games played in the UK involving Premier League teams between January and March 2023 to understand how many domestic flights were taken, giving the first insight into the volume and details of ‘positioning’ flights.

After many years of sustainability sitting buried in the agronomy department, the European Tour Group launched its first, comprehensive sustainability strategy in June 2021 on World Environment Day.

Called “Green Drive” and produced with independent consultants the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, sustainability now forms a core pillar of the Tour’s wider Golf for Good programme and become an annual business KPI.

In 2022 the Tour became the first professional golf circuit to commit to net zero carbon emissions by becoming a signatory to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework and its Net Zero by 2040 Pledge.

Since then, the Tour has completed a full audit of ten of its tournaments to set baselines, produced its first public “scorecard” to showcase its emissions breakdown and track progress, and used its most high-profile tournaments as test beds for the latest energy efficient hydrogen and solar technologies.