blog: Scoring for the Planet and Tackling Climate Change
Tuesday 5th November 2024
The Sport Positive Summit 2024 is a leading event that brings together leaders and innovators from the sports industry to discuss and promote sustainability in sports. This two-day conference held at the Kia Oval in London focused on the critical role that sports can play in addressing environmental challenges and driving positive change.
I attended the event because I was particularly interested in the importance of sustainable travel for both spectators and employees, and this ties in with the capabilities of TripSwitch, ITP’s innovative travel planning tool. Reducing the carbon footprint of travel to and from sporting events is crucial in impacting the overall sustainability goals of the industry. This aspect is particularly relevant as it emphasises the collective responsibility of everyone involved in sports to contribute to a greener future and is something that was communicated through various sessions across the two days.
Attending this conference for the first time was an exciting experience for me. As someone with a background and interest in climate change and sustainable transport, I was thrilled to be present in a room filled with like-minded individuals who shared the same goals and were eager to learn about the importance of sport in tackling climate change.
A significant portion of the conversations across the two days revolved around the barriers to sustainable travel, including the lack of accountability and understanding among organisations and the necessity for concrete, non-fluffy language to be used when discussing sustainability, so all can truly understand the urgency for change. It was also apparent that more tools and data are required to demonstrate the financial benefits of sustainable practices.
Education emerged as a crucial element, with larger organisations having the potential to influence travel behaviours through effective communication and engagement, something that sparked my interest as I recognise the importance of influencing change through engagement. It also resonated with me hearing “technological change alone is not enough to reach carbon targets, behaviour and social change is also important” emphasising the importance of understanding people’s habits and attitudes towards sustainability. The role of media in sharing success stories and the importance of behaviour change alongside technological advancements were also stressed.
“Technological change alone is not enough to reach carbon targets, behaviour and social change is also important”
There were discussions on the value of using athletes’ voices to promote climate action, leveraging their influence to inspire fans and the broader community. Additionally, the business and commercial benefits of sustainability, such as improving fan travel experiences and accessibility, were emphasised.
The conference clearly highlighted fans as potential agents of change and not just consumers as they are capable of making sustainable choices appealing and impactful to all. Understanding the proportion of spectators who can be influenced to travel sustainably, whether to local events or those farther away that require more planning, is crucial. In the competitive world of sports, fans often take pride in their team’s achievements and want to be seen as leaders. By making sustainable travel choices, they can stand out among other team’s supporters and position themselves at the forefront of positive change. This leadership can inspire others, creating a ripple effect, and further amplifying the impact of sustainable practices.
The conference also shed light on the hidden handbrakes to scaling climate action within sport, with financial limitations and high-carbon sponsorships presenting major obstacles. It was encouraging to see that transport was also identified as a barrier, aligning with my belief that it is critical to address travel to ensure sporting organisations can reach their Net Zero ambitions, shaping a greener future.
As quoted at the conference, ‘the single most important thing’ is knowing your carbon footprint, to continuously monitor and track progression, ensuring that every step taken is one closer toward a sustainable future. In relation to transport with sport, sporting organisations can implement targeted initiatives to promote sustainable travel options which can be monitored over time to measure their effectiveness as well as be adapted accordingly for the audience, and TripSwitch can assist with this process.
ITP is seeking opportunities to work with sporting organisations and venues across the UK to tackle issues associated with staff and/or spectator travel including:
- Car parking pressures
- High levels of single occupancy car usage to sites
- Lack of public transport or active travel connections
- Lack of understanding for staff/spectators on sustainable transport options
- High level of carbon emissions associated with travel
By using four key tools TripSwitch can assess an organisation's greenhouse gas emissions associated with travel, and segment audiences to better understand the proportion of those who can be influenced to switch their travel behaviour to more sustainable means. As part of this process, practical opportunities to travel can be identified, providing sporting organisations with a kick-start on their carbon reduction journey.
It was incredibly insightful to attend the Sport Positive Summit this year and I look forward to seeing transport become a more prominent part of the sustainability conversation, as it often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. By focusing on practical travel opportunities and leveraging the influence of those already working hard to achieve their Net Zero objectives, we can generate significant changes in travel behaviour, ultimately driving the sports industry towards its sustainability goals.
To find out more about TripSwitch and how it can assist your organisation, please get in touch with Abigail Pearson via email abigail.pearson@itp.rhdhv.com.