Environmental impact of sports

Lack of environmental sustainability in sports

Nature

Modern day sports in and of themselves carry a relatively light impact on the environment. However, the industry of sports – stadiums, games, fans, merchandise, etc. – are causing major environmental harm.

According to the The United Nations Environment Programme: “Building and managing a sport facility and operating an event uses energy and can contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation, as well as to ozone-layer depletion, habitat and biodiversity loss, soil erosion and water pollution.” The impacts — which are common in large public organizations, and hardly limited to sports — include damage to fragile ecosystems, noise and light pollution, energy use and emissions, soil and water pollution and waste generation.

Incidence

A 2021 report by the Rapid Transition Alliance estimated that global sports activities contribute approximately 350 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, with major events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games accounting for significant spikes in resource use, waste generation, and habitat disruption. The environmental footprint of sports is particularly pronounced in regions hosting large-scale events, where infrastructure development and increased tourism intensify local ecological pressures.
In 2016, the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, led to the removal of over 2,000 families and the destruction of parts of the Atlantic Forest for venue construction, resulting in lasting biodiversity loss and increased urban pollution.

Claim

The environmental impact of sports is a critical issue that demands urgent attention. From the carbon footprint of massive stadiums to the pollution generated by travel and waste, the sports industry contributes significantly to environmental degradation. As global citizens, we must recognize that our passion for sports should not come at the expense of our planet. It is imperative that athletes, organizations, and fans advocate for sustainable practices to protect our environment for future generations.

Counter-claim

The environmental impact of sports is often exaggerated and distracts from more pressing global issues. While some may argue that stadiums and events contribute to pollution, the reality is that sports foster community, promote health, and drive economic growth. The focus should be on larger environmental challenges like climate change and deforestation, rather than nitpicking the carbon footprint of a game. Let's prioritize significant problems instead of fixating on the relatively minor impact of sports.