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This report was developed by the Green Sport Expert Group established under the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024 and entrusted with formulating recommendations for sustainable sport in Europe. This collaborative group includes representatives from EU Member States, observers from the international sports community, and experts from institutions such as the European Environment Agency and the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The European Green Deal outlines an ambitious and essential roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050—a target that requires the united efforts of all sectors of society, including sports. With its widespread appeal and influence, sport has a unique capacity to raise awareness and drive meaningful progress toward environmental sustainability. The decisions and actions of stakeholders—ranging from international and national sport federations, professional and grassroots clubs, the fitness industry, and sporting goods manufacturers to sport tourism operators, consumers, recreational athletes, and fans—carry significant implications for the climate and the environment.
The sports community has increasingly embraced this mission, but the challenges ahead remain considerable. It is with a sense of urgency and optimism that I present this report, developed by the Green Sport Expert Group under the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024.
This document compiles the findings of the Green Sport Expert Group established by the European Union Work Plan for Sport for the period 2021 – 2024. The report provides focused guidance and recommendations to create a pathway for European sport to meet the goals of the Green Deal. It describes current good practices relating to environmental sustainability in the European sport sector and provides guidance on four focus areas.
This report serves as a comprehensive “playbook” for fostering environmental sustainability in European sports. It offers policy recommendations aimed at:
- Advancing and promoting sustainable practices across the European sports sector.
- Providing clear, high-level guidance for policymakers at both European and national levels, ensuring alignment with Green Deal objectives.
- Offering insights on key green sport topics, highlighting pioneering initiatives, showcasing best practices, and pointing stakeholders toward additional resources.
This report is more than a set of guidelines; it is a call to action. It challenges every stakeholder within the European sports ecosystem to contribute to achieving the Green Deal’s vision. Two key recommendations stand out: first, EU Member States are urged to develop national strategies for sustainable sports, and second, sports organizations are encouraged to establish and monitor their carbon footprints.
For more information:
European Commission: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Sport’s contribution to the European Green Deal – A sport sector playbook – Executive summary, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/837852
European Commission: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Green sport – A sport sector playbook for the European Green Deal, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/259089