The Sport for Business Sustainability Hub, in partnership with SSE Airtricity, is all about identifying and sharing ways in which sport can and needs to make sure it is on the right side of combating the impact it has on the world around us.

One simple idea executed as part of Dublin’s hosting of the Europa League Final last month was using the match ticket as a free public transport ticket.

With 52,000 fans travelling to the Aviva Stadium for the game and additional traffic reduction measures around the ground, it will be interesting to see how this impacted mobility around the city.

Walking from the fan zones at Dublin Castle and Shelbourne Park was encouraged, but for the fans coming from further out, the match ticket worked to obtain free public transport across the full 24 hours of the Match Day.

Lansdowne Road Dart Station was closed for the match itself, but fans coming in from Sandymount and Grand Canal Dock reminded us just how well-connected the transport to the stadium is.

What looked like a long queue for the Dart at Grand Canal after the game proved an illusion, with additional carriages moving the crowd along safely and quickly.

There is a default tendency to jump in the car to go to big sporting events, and in parts of the country, that will remain, but public transport can be a significant way of lowering sports’ carbon footprint.

Having the tournament organiser take this on and provide free transport is a strong nudge and may make many reconsider how they get there.

Could it be done on a trial basis for one of the Guinness Six Nations matches at the Aviva over the next two-year cycle, with a strong message on responsible drinking as well, or could we see a day in the near future when a trial is undertaken for an All Ireland Final with park and ride facilities set up further out from the city, and fans shuttled in on trains to Connolly Station?

 

Sport for Business and SSE Airtricity have created a new Irish Sport Sustainability Hub.

This source of shared knowledge and meeting point for those determined to see a sustainable future for Irish sport will be hosted on Sport for Business and involve several initiatives over an initial three-year lifecycle.

The idea emerged from a meeting hosted by Croke Park Stadium in April, where representatives from sport, business and society gathered to discuss the imperative need to think long-term and the challenges faced in doing so.

Those present on the day will be part of a steering group that will lead the way on how we can work collectively and collaboratively to take the right steps in a world that is ever-changing but demands action in this key area.

Additional invitations to join the group will also be sent out this week. If you would like to be involved as a Sport for Business member, our door is always open.

Let us know below how you would like to be involved.

We will cover sustainability in its widest sense, from simple changes in participant or spectator behaviour to the wider role of sport in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Each Wednesday, we will publish a weekly column rounding up the latest initiatives in Ireland and beyond so that we can build a base of knowledge about projects that can be transferred and lessons in their delivery that can be shared.

In addition, we will host meetings where specific areas can be discussed, and we will include a regular Podcast on the Sport for Business platform that addresses the questions that will arise for those looking to make a difference.

It is a broad canvas, and the picture that emerges will be created by those who choose to get involved. Our hope is that it will help clarify what can be done, what needs to be done, and what we can all do to ensure a viable, sustainable future for sport.

We are grateful to SSE Airtricity for their support in bringing this hub to life and to all those who have contributed their time, energy and curiosity so far.

 

 

Sport for Business, in partnership with SSE Airtricity has created a Sustainability Leadership Group which will meet to discuss areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration over the next three years.

Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.

 

SSE Airtricity are proud partners of the Sport for Business Community.

 

The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations including all the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies. 

Find out more about joining us today.

 

Check out our upcoming events to discover ways of connecting in person with our membership.