How UK sports sprints to save planet- report
Climate change and its impacts on sport in the UK is spotlighted in a new report published by the Climate Coalition, a group of leading non-governmental organizations.
The study, which also highlights how football, cricket, golf and winter sports are responding, has important messages for sports and leisure world-wide.
It above all showcases how sport is starting to play a part in tackling climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and by taking a lead, inspiring others to follow.
“We are far from being powerless to act. In the sporting spirit of aiming to win, there are clear actions we can all take to get the right result. Sports clubs and governing bodies all need to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts,” the authors write.
In a foreword to the report Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, says:
“Sport is a USD 600 billion global business with a unique power to convene, move and inspire. That’s why the UN Climate Change Secretariat brought some of the world’s biggest sports organisations together ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 23 in Bonn, Germany.
We stand ready to support efforts within sport to work towards the climate secure, resilient economy that world leaders committed to at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015. This report from the Climate Coalition is a welcome step on that journey. Just like athletes need a strong foundation to compete at their very best, the planet is no different.”
The report will be highlighted by the experts at English Premier League Manchester United on 8 February and at current English Premier League leaders Manchester City on 11 February in their clash with Leicester City.
Leading sports organizations met with UN Climate Change in Bonn in December 2017 and agreed that climate change is a global challenge, that impacts sports and which sports can contribute to addressing.
This dialogue on Climate Action and Sport sought ways to multiply efforts being taken by sports, identify new opportunities for climate action, and raise ambition. The result could be a new Platform for Sports and Climate Action launched in time for the UN Climate Change Conference COP24 in Katowice, Poland in December this year.
