Each week, we bring together stories from around the world that can inspire those seeking to amplify the power of sport in support of responsible environmental policies.

This week we look at a new fund to assist grassroots sport to become greener in England, the publication of an impact report looking at Winter Sports, a meaningful conversation of sport’s power to persuade at the Ocean Conference in Nice, and the adoption of a unified Carbon Accounting Framework by leading sporting bodies including Liverpool FC and World Athletics.

 

Sport England’s £16 million “world’s greenest sports industry” fund

Sport England has launched a £16 million fund aimed at green upgrades across grassroots clubs, as part of its broader £160 million Movement Fund.

Covering solar installations, plastic reduction, flood resilience, biodiversity improvements, and circular economy solutions, the grants, ranging from £300 to £15,000, come with guidance and training.

Chair Chris Boardman emphasised when launching the fund that climate disruption is already affecting clubs, and that sport has the platform to drive societal change.

To be successful, projects must meet of one of six criteria:

  • Carbon emissions: travel and facilities
  • Circular economy: supply chains, products and waste
  • Blue-green environment quality and use
  • Biodiversity
  • Adapting to climate change and extreme weather events
  • Just transition: inequalities, inclusion and participation.

 

FIS publishes inaugural sustainability impact report

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation’s 2024/2025 Impact Report outlines emissions reduction targets, more energy-efficient snowmaking practices, and environmentally friendly venue practices.

It marks a formal acknowledgement that winter sports are at climate risk—and that sports bodies must adapt to preserve both the sport and the mountain environments it depends on.

A core focus of FIS’s sustainability agenda has been to measure and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Collaborations with global experts such as Planet Mark and Deloitte have strengthened these efforts.

Notable achievements include the launch of a CO₂ calculator, the delivery of training programs and webinars for key industry stakeholders, and partnerships with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) to better harness science and technology in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Global Sport Adopts Unified Carbon Accounting Framework

A coalition of sports federations has endorsed a shared carbon measurement methodology—a major move toward consistent, lifecycle-based emissions tracking across sports infrastructure, events, and travel ﹘ in line with global net-zero frameworks .

World Athletics, Liverpool FC, LIV Golf, Cricket Australia and the FA, are among those backing a landmark new approach to measuring and reducing carbon emissions across sport.

Launched last week by sustainability and social impact consultancy Think Beyond, the Carbon Methodology and Calculator for Sport is the first unified approach that lets clubs, leagues and federations calculate, compare and gain insights into their greenhouse gas emissions.

Until now, sport has lacked a consistent way to measure carbon footprints, making it difficult to benchmark progress or credibly report climate action. While some sport-specific tools and guidance exist, this is the first methodology and calculator designed for sector-wide adoption, enabling organisations to measure emissions in a consistent, comparable way.

As pressure mounts from fans, sponsors and regulators, the need for transparent, science-aligned measurement has become essential.

Dr Susie Tomson, Senior Partner at Think Beyond, said: “Sport has long talked about leading on climate, but without a shared way of measuring emissions the industry has lacked the tools to follow through.

“This approach changes that. We’ve developed a practical, user-friendly methodology that meets global standards but speaks the language of sport so clubs and competitions at any point in their journey can measure what matters, benchmark progress, and lead with credibility. Most importantly, we want to make this available to the entire sector.”

 

The Ocean Race Speaks on The Power of Sport as a Key Convenor

At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice last week, The Ocean Race brought together an extraordinary lineup of athletes, policymakers, scientists, and environmental leaders to spotlight the unrivalled power of sport as a driver of ocean action.

The session, “The Power of Sport as a Key Convenor” showcased how ocean racing is contributing to accelerating policy, scientific collaboration, and public engagement to restore the ocean’s health.

Moderated by Richard Brisius, the Race Chairman of The Ocean Race, the event delivered powerful insights across science, sport, and sustainability.

“We know many more Americans follow sports than they do science,” noted Jeremy Pochman, co-founder and CEO of 11th Hour Racing. “We are looking for ways to use sport as a platform to bridge science and public understanding – and change the culture around caring for the ocean.”

The conversation also spoke of The Ocean’s Logbook a new long-term global initiative to gather voices and measure public sentiment around ocean health issues and initiatives.

The Logbook gathers personal stories from around the world – turning memory into testimony. Each entry helps make the case to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.

 

 

 

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