Doing things differently: The FC Nordsjælland story
- LEADERS
- March 25, 2019
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50 actions with 50 partners: Inside the first year of Forever Green
Real Betis’ sustainability platform has achieved a number of milestones over the past 12 months, culminating in a presentation at the COP26 climate change summit
- LEADERS
- November 25, 2021
Rugby must harness its unique qualities to safeguard its future
With key rugby nations, such as the Pacific Island and Australia, experiencing disastrous climate impacts, the sport must make action a priority, say Alena Olsen and James Farndale
Gamification: The secret weapon to hosting sustainable sports events?
Seyi Smith, IOC Young Leader and ex-Olympian, explains how incentives, continuous improvement and positive peer pressure can influence grassroots sports event participants to adopt responsible environmental behaviours
Real Betis agrees content partnership with The Sustainability Report
The “iconic” Spanish La Liga club to showcase its Forever Green projects through the sustainability and sport platform
Paris 2024: The first climate positive Olympics
Georgina Grenon, the Games’ director of environmental excellence, explains how Paris 2024’s legacy is built around the low-carbon transition
The blueprint for sustainable sports clubs
Claire Poole, the founder of the Sport Positive Summit, discusses environmental best practice among leading sports organisations
- LEADERS
- April 8, 2021
World Sailing’s award-winning sustainability journey
Dan Reading, the federation’s head of sustainability, explains how environmental protection and sustainable innovation became a core priority following a rebrand
How climate change affects the sports industry
Dr. Madeleine Orr explains how the sector will have to engage in structural changes to address the threat of climate change
Sustainability: The sports industry’s next upgrade
Matthew Campelli argues that a focus on sustainability can make sport a better product during the inaugural ‘Sustainability Leadership Series’ talk in partnership with SportWorks
- LEADERS
- January 21, 2021
‘Climate change forced me to retire from sport’
Extreme heat cut short the netball career of former Australian international Amy Steel – now she’s telling her story so that other sportspeople don’t suffer the same fate
Becoming a more purposeful sports leader
Episode #52 – Licia Rester and Kirk Souder, authors of The Soul Purpose Method, explain how those working in the sports industry can transform their professional lives through intention, liberation and co-creation
Creating a safe and sustainable sports industry for the future
Episode #51 – Young Sports Maker Mathieu Muller discusses anti-doping and encouraging sport to become more conscious of environmental protection
How to find your voice as a young sports professional
Episode #50 – Melissa Zhang, the communications manager of USA Team Handball and Global Sports Week Young Sports Maker, on leveraging her position in sport to advocate for social and gender equity
Blending sport with culture and education
Episode #49 – IOC Young Leader and Global Sports Week Young Sports Maker, Paulina Fritz, discusses her vision of educating children about sustainable development through sports activities
A journey into sport and social entrepreneurship
Episode #48 – Kimberly Fernandez, a Global Sports Week Young Sports Maker, explains how and why she established a Mumbai-based start-up that gives children and women more opportunities in sport
Making sustainability a core business objective in sport
Episode #47 – Sports For Future founder Stefan Wagner discusses Germany’s climate and sport movement, and how he has helped TSG Hoffenheim build its strategy around sustainable development
- LEADERS
- November 26, 2020
“Sustainability is a club strategy – not a marketing project”
Ramón Alarcón, the driving force behind Real Betis’ climate action strategy, talks to The Sustainability Report about learning from Amazon, brand values, and sponsor engagement
How World Sailing is accelerating sustainable innovation in the marine industry
Episode #46 – Dan Reading, the federation’s head of sustainability, explains how decisions made by sports organisations can have a wider positive impact within industries
Prioritising sustainability with limited resources
Episode #45 – Michal Buchel, chief executive of the International Sambo Federation, explains how his organisation is helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through perseverance and a creative mindset
Planning sports events and venues while protecting nature
Episode #44 – Giulia Carbone, deputy director of the IUCN's business and biodiversity programme, discusses the opportunities sports organisations can leverage by considering the natural environment
Creating a culture of holistic sustainability in sport
Episode #43 – Lindsay Arell explains how she helped the Philadelphia Eagles and other sports properties look at sustainability beyond just the environmental perspective
Keeping sports events sustainable in the aftermath of the pandemic
Episode #42 – Sustainable events pioneer Meegan Jones discusses recently-published guidelines that encourage event hosts to keep away from single-use products despite concerns related to Covid-19
Creating a sustainability vision for snowsport
Episode #41 – Riikka Rakic, the snowsport and sustainability expert, explains how she helped the International Biathlon Union craft its 10-year sustainability vision
How to measure sustainability data and report it
Episode #40 – Julie Duffus of the IOC, Omar Mitchell of the NHL, and the GEO Foundation’s Jonathan Smith explain the what, how and why of measuring and reporting environmental impact at the Sport Positive Summit
Bringing the sports industry together around climate action
Episode #39 – Claire Poole, the founder of the Sport Positive Summit, reflects on the event’s inaugural edition, and explains why sport’s collective response to climate change is more important than ever
Gamifying and simplifying sustainability for small sports events
Episode #38 – Oluseyi Smith, the former Olympic athlete, discusses his IOC Young Leaders project in which he is supporting grassroots athletic events with their waste and carbon reduction processes
- LEADERS
- September 24, 2020
“Taking climate change seriously means treating carbon as a limited resource”
Georgina Grenon, Paris 2024’s director of environmental excellence, discusses the Games’ “three pillars” of sustainable innovation, and explains why carbon is being budgeted like finance
Can sport be a genuine driver of sustainable innovation?
Episode #37 – Futurist and academic, Professor Andy Miah, discusses sport’s relationship with emerging technologies that have the potential to make it stronger economically and environmentally
Solving sport’s wicked problems with design thinking
Episode #36 – Afridun Amu, Afghanistan’s first international surfer and design thinking coach, explains how empathy and creativity can help find solutions to complex, pressing issues
Launching a sport and sustainability start-up
Episode #35 – Vanessa Nord explains why she’s launched a new venture focused on environmental sustainability and sport, and how her work has led to collaborations with FC Bayern and the German Boxing Association
Promoting sustainability and innovation through a major sporting event
Episode #34 – Jon Dutton, chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, discusses the tournament’s sustainability charter and innovation initiative
What sport can learn from commercial real estate
Episode #33 – Kristen Fulmer, the founder of sustainability agency Recipric, explains why commercial real estate properties are further ahead than sport when it comes to sustainability and wellness – and what sport can do about it
Preparing athletes for a life after sport
Episode #32 – Danielle Berman, founder of Tackle What’s Next, explains how sportspeople can be better assisted as they transition away from the field
- LEADERS
- August 13, 2020
‘Covid has exposed the cracks in sports ecosystem’
Angela Ruggiero, Olympic gold medallist and founder of Sports Innovation Lab, urges the industry to remain relevant by addressing changing fan behaviours through investment in technology
The importance of being purposeful
Episode #31 – Neill Duffy, founder of sports impact agency 17 Sport, explains that sport must ‘do good to do well’ in the post-Covid era
Tackling climate change, social injustice and the pandemic through sports
Episode #30 – Roger McClendon, the executive director of the Green Sports Alliance, discusses what he terms ‘the three pandemics’ and how the organisation is galvanising members to counter them
Being strategic and entrepreneurial about sustainability through challenging times
Episode #29 – Jaime Nack, founder and president of Three Squares Inc, talks strategy, legacy and starting her sustainability business during a period of global uncertainty
- LEADERS
- July 23, 2020
‘Competition is a natural way to get sustainability into sport’
Marisol Casado, president of the International Triathlon Union, explains how certification and guidelines will help the sport reduce its negative environmental impact and thrive
Developing a well-thought-out sustainability strategy for sport
Episode #28 – Susie Tomson explains why sports organisations and events need to formulate a strong sustainability strategy, and how they can bring that vision to life
Inside Formula 1’s plan to become net zero carbon
Episode #27 – Yath Gangakumaran, F1’s director of strategy, explains the motorsport’s ambition to leverage its reputation for innovation to become a sustainability leader
The sports federation building an air quality research hub
Episode #26 – Paolo Emilio Adami explains how World Athletics has sharpened its focus on air quality data and research as a means of protecting athlete health and performance in the future
Leveraging sport and science to engage the masses in climate action
Episode #25 – Julia Pallé, senior sustainability consultant for Extreme E, explains why the conception of the competition’s Scientific Committee is crucial to its success
Inside the NFL team nurturing the workforce of tomorrow
Episode #24 – Jesse Lovejoy, the director of the San Francisco 49ers EDU programme, explains how STEAM education is helping underserved kids approach global challenges through the prism of sport
Navigating away from the win-at-all-costs mentality
Episode #23 – 11th Hour Racing Team sustainability manager, Damian Foxall, explains that while the team is intent on winning the 2021/22 Ocean Race, sustainable innovation and ocean stewardship remain a core focus
- LEADERS
- June 11, 2020
“Sustainability and competitiveness don’t need to be mutually exclusive in sport”
Mark Towill, chief executive of the 11th Hour Racing Team, on building a team around ocean stewardship, innovation and positive impact
Why your sponsorship team needs a sustainability executive
Episode #22 – Terry Cecil, the president and chief executive of the International Sponsor Council, explains the growing importance of sustainability expertise in sponsorship
The evolution of cause sponsorship in sport
Episode #21 – Sport sponsorship expert Kevin Bartram explains why partnerships are set to get more purposeful, and how he built PG&E’s sponsorship of the San Francisco Giants around sustainability
Authenticity: an essential component for sport sponsorship
Episode #20 – T. Bettina Cornwell explains how sports organisations can seek out partners with similar values, and why the wrong fit – no matter how commercially lucrative – can be disastrous for brand image
Building engaging sponsorship activations around purpose
Episode #19 – Author of 3-Win Sponsorship, John Balkam, discusses the future of sport sponsorship, and details his five-point framework for impactful campaigns built on purpose
- LEADERS
- May 14, 2020
“Everyone politicises climate change – it’s tough, as an athlete, to talk about it”
Brent Suter, the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher, discusses his version of athlete activism, and his mission to get other high-profile sports people talking about climate change
The environmental and economic impact of mass-participation events
Episode #18 – Cardiff University lecturer, Dr Andrea Collins, explains how her research helped the Cardiff Half Marathon reduce its negative environmental footprint
Reframing sustainability to get non-environmentalist fans on-side
Episode #17 – Some supporters may be sceptical of a team’s environmental initiatives, but there are ways to persevere without alienating your fanbase, says Tim Kellison
Managing your sport organisation’s vulnerability to climate change
Episode #16 – Leagues, teams and federations may not be in a position to halt or slow down climate issues, but they can prepare themselves to mitigate negative impacts by using the right strategies, says Madeleine Orr
How to build deeper fan relationships through sustainability
Episode #15 – Sports fans may not be more environmentally aware than non-sports fans, but teams can still engage them through well thought out sustainability initiatives, says Brian McCullough
- LEADERS
- April 2, 2020
Professor Peter Wadhams on leading Extreme E’s climate science charge
The esteemed Arctic scientist lays out his ambitious research plans as he becomes the off-road electric car racing series’ Scientific Committee leader
PODCAST: Former GB hockey player Joie Leigh on transitioning from sport to a sustainability career
Episode #14 – The member Team GB's gold medal winning Rio 2016 squad charts her journey from player to sustainability professional, and explains how the athlete mindset is crucial to her new role
PODCAST: Footballer Katie Rood on the environmental and athletic benefits of going vegan
Episode #13 – The Lewes FC and New Zealand ace discusses the physical and mental benefits of a plant-based diet, and being inspired by Olympic champion Etienne Stott
PODCAST: Reece Pacheco on World Surf League’s environmental leadership
Episode #12 – The organisation’s SVP of ocean responsibility discusses setting clear sustainability targets, and making projects engaging for partners, fans and athletes
PODCAST: Forming partnerships to address climate change, with the IOC, Dow and EDF
Episode #11 – Julie Duffus of the IOC, Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi of Dow, and EDF’s Carine de Boissezon discuss their experiences working together to find solutions to the climate crisis through sport
- LEADERS
- March 5, 2020
Hannah Mills: “The ocean plastics crisis is staring us in the face. It’s terrifying”
Olympic gold medallist discusses the Big Plastic Pledge – which aims to change consumer behaviour around single-use plastics – and wading through waste when training for Rio 2016
PODCAST: Green sports pioneer Scott Jenkins on engaging fans through sustainable innovation
Episode #10 – The general manager of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium – regarded as the most sustainable in the US – discusses how sports venues can influence the behaviour of fans and sponsors
- LEADERS
- February 13, 2020
Sir Russell Coutts: I want SailGP to be carbon neutral before 2025
The co-founder and chief executive of the fledgling sailing series on “aggressive” climate targets and the commercial advantage of being a sustainable company
- LEADERS
- January 16, 2020
“We’re not here to educate fans – we make sustainability fun”
Philadelphia Eagles director of fan engagement, Norman Vossschulte, explains how sustainability has played a key role in cementing relationships with fans and sponsors
- LEADERS
- December 3, 2019
Football, coalitions and the SDGs: Danone’s approach to sustainability
Projects like the Danone Nations Cup and ‘one person, one voice, one share’ employee engagement initiative helps the food and beverage company put sustainable development at the heart of its strategy
- LEADERS
- November 27, 2019
Juventus: The modern superclub taking a ‘business-like’ approach to sustainability
After rebuilding its reputation following the ‘Calciopoli’ saga, the iconic Italian football team has made the UN Sustainable Development Goals a key part of its off-pitch activities
PODCAST: Forest Green Rovers' Dale Vince on creating the most sustainable sports club in the world
Episode #9 – The renewable energy entrepreneur and club chairman talks about his journey transforming a struggling football club into a brand synonymous with environmental stewardship
PODCAST: Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus on growing social businesses through sport
Episode #8 – The father of social business, alongside Yunus Sports Hub co-founder Yoan Noguier, explains how major sports events can be leveraged to grow the social entrepreneurship sector
PODCAST: Karina LeBlanc on empowering women through football
Episode #7 – CONCACAF’s head of women’s football and former Canada goalkeeper discusses a landmark FIFA Women’s World Cup, and how she’s channelling that momentum to grow the game in North and Central America
PODCAST: Populous’ Christopher Lee on the sustainable stadium of the future
Episode #6 – The renowned sports architect discusses the social impact of Tottenham Hotspur’s new home – and the extraordinary sustainable innovations being integrated in sports venues
PODCAST: Mary Harvey on sport and human rights
Episode #5 – The first chief executive of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights explains how sports events can positively impact human lives – and discusses the notorious Hakeem al-Araibi case that coincided with her appointment
PODCAST: Endurance running icon Paula Radcliffe on air quality and athlete performance
Episode #4 – The long distance champion talks about competing in poor air quality with asthma, and how the IAAF is helping athletes mitigate the negative impact of air pollution
PODCAST: Jürgen Griesbeck on the Common Goal movement
Episode #3 – The founder of the growing football for development movement discusses the link between purpose and on-field performance, and his plan to secure backing from the whole football industry
- LEADERS
- September 30, 2019
Christiana Figueres: “It’s not in the interest of the Olympics for climate change to reach the extremes being forecast”
The former UNFCCC executive secretary warns that the Olympic Games face an uncertain future
PODCAST: Emily Penn on the ocean plastics crisis
Episode #2 – The ocean advocate and skipper tells The Sustainability Report about her most ambitious project to date, and discusses how sport can play a crucial role in helping the public reevaluate its relationship with plastic
PODCAST: Olympian Chris Mazdzer on climate change and the power of the athlete voice
Episode #1 – The Pyeongchang 2018 silver medallist talks about becoming an IOC Sustainability Ambassador, and how International Federations can support athlete activism
- LEADERS
- September 2, 2019
Seb Coe: “Young people ask a fundamental question: ‘Do you look like the world I live in?’”
IAAF president explains why air quality and gender parity are at the top of the agenda for the athletics federation as it rebuilds its reputation
- LEADERS
- August 5, 2019
Educational institutions look to MLB greening programme to create content for students
Paul Hanlon, the league’s senior director of ballpark operations and sustainability, tells The Sustainability Report about partnerships with Discovery Education and a tranche of universities
- LEADERS
- July 1, 2019
“We don’t use the word sport – we talk about creating a healthier, sustainable life”
Ikea’s creative leader James Futcher discusses the company’s partnership with World Surf League – and creating sustainable products using surfers’ lifestyles as a guide
- LEADERS
- June 20, 2019
“Our sustainability strategy is also about financial sustainability”
Stockholm/Åre 2026’s head of sustainability, Johan Strid, discusses the bid’s private funding model, green innovation and cementing Sweden’s status as a sustainability leader
- LEADERS
- June 3, 2019
Science-based targets and renewable energy: Inside AEG’s ambitious carbon reduction strategy
With more than 150 venues and 22,000 live events, reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 will be some achievement for AEG. John Marler talks about taking on the challenge
- LEADERS
- May 20, 2019
Chris Mazdzer, the IOC’s first sustainability ambassador
The first man to win an Olympic medal for the US in luge on using his growing platform to influence fans and the sport he loves to become more serious about climate change
- LEADERS
- May 15, 2019
Profile: Honey Thaljieh, FIFA executive and women's football pioneer
After growing up in occupied Palestine and co-founding its first-ever women’s football team, FIFA’s corporate communications manager is determined to make the beautiful game a fairer and more diverse place
- LEADERS
- April 30, 2019
Omar Mitchell, NHL: “We want to ensure that hockey is around for future generations”
Ozone-depleting refrigerants used by ice hockey rinks are being phased out. NHL Green is helping community venues find alternatives to help fight the global warming threatening the sport's existence
- LEADERS
- April 23, 2019
Sport Ecology Group preparing to ‘spearhead’ sustainability movement
Meet the newly-established collective of ‘academic rockstars’ planning to help sports industry practitioners make evidence-based decisions through curated research
- LEADERS
- March 25, 2019
Doing things differently: The FC Nordsjælland story
As the football industry faces questions regarding its sustainability, one club in Denmark believes there is a different way of doing things. FC Nordsjælland CEO Søren Kristensen tells The Sustainability Report about a unique model guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- LEADERS
- March 6, 2019
Profile: Inger Andersen, UN Environment
The IUCN director general will join the UN organisation later this year. Where will sport fit into her plans?
- Editor's Pick, LEADERS
- February 19, 2019
Federico Addiechi, FIFA: “We’re a sports federation contributing to labour law reform”
The world football governing body’s head of sustainability and diversity talks Qatar 2022, modular stadiums and finding “leverage” with suppliers
- LEADERS
- February 8, 2019
Profile: Dr Allen Hershkowitz, professional sport’s first environmental science advisor
The co-founder of SandSI has been working with the New York Yankees for a decade – but in formalising his position, the team wants to send a message to the rest of the sports industry
- LEADERS
- January 16, 2019
Profile: Roger McClendon, the new executive director of the Green Sports Alliance
Yum! Brands’ first-ever chief sustainability officer takes centre stage in the US’s growing green sports movement. How will the strategic executive approach his new role?
- LEADERS
- January 10, 2019
“We now ask cities what the Olympic Games can do for them, not what they can do for the Olympic Games”
From positioning the Olympic Games as an opportunity to invest in sustainable development, to educating the Olympic Movement, it’s been a busy year for the IOC sustainability team. Marie Sallois and Michelle Lemaitre talk to The Sustainability Report
- LEADERS
- December 17, 2018
Profile: Mary Harvey, the first CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights
The former US national goalkeeper, who formulated the human rights strategy for the United 2026 bid, becomes the centre’s inaugural chief executive
- LEADERS
- December 3, 2018
Formula E’s Julia Pallé on achieving and building on ISO 20121
The fifth season of the electric car racing series returns later this month. And with new locations, cars and teams there’s a challenge to build on its ISO 20121 recognition
- LEADERS
- November 6, 2018
Viacheslav Fetisov: “No one will benefit from climate change – everyone will suffer”
After carving out one of the greatest-ever careers in professional ice hockey, Viacheslav Fetisov is ready to take on his biggest challenge – helping to save the world from climate change. He talks to SSJ
- LEADERS
- October 8, 2018
Dow ‘accelerating the adoption’ of sustainable technologies through Olympic association
With the IPCC calling for drastic societal change to prevent catastrophic global warming, Dow’s Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi explains how her organisation and the IOC are mobilising the business world and Olympic Movement
- LEADERS
- September 26, 2018
‘Environmental stewardship can aid performance,’ says Volvo Ocean Race’s most sustainable team
Vestas 11th Hour Racing revealed the extent to which environmental responsibility influences its operations in a comprehensive report. Sustainability manager Damian Foxall talks to The Sustainability Report
- LEADERS
- September 17, 2018
Patrick Gasser, UEFA: “I’ve been asked what climate has to do with football and I say ‘everything’”
After encouraging fans to offset their own carbon footprint at Euro 2016, UEFA will pick up the whole tab for the 2020 tournament. The governing body’s head of social responsibility talks to The Sustainability Report
- LEADERS
- August 13, 2018
The England hockey player who volunteered to green the World Cup
When Joie Leigh suggested that sustainability should be at the heart of the 2018 women’s showpiece, she walked out with the chance to shape the strategy
- LEADERS
- July 9, 2018
Big interview: Jeremy Pochman, 11th Hour Racing
Eight years ago Jeremy Pochman co-founded 11th Hour Racing. It has since become the catalyst for hugely important sustainability initiatives in sailing – and Volvo’s commitment to rid itself of plastic
- LEADERS
- June 4, 2018
Big interview: Michael Pedersen, M INC. > change the game
The bond between fans and athletes is a sacred one, so how can sport use that relationship to mobilise the masses to fight climate change? Pedersen and his partner Tapio Kanninen may have the answer
- LEADERS
- May 25, 2018
Big interview: Brendan Owens, US Green Buildings Council
Is there a return on investment for LEED certification? If so, what is it? Matthew Campelli speaks to the USGBC senior vice president to find out
- LEADERS
- May 17, 2018
Big interview: Shelley Villalobos and Kevin Phelan, Council for Responsible Sport
The Council duo explain why certification is important if you care about sustainability, and how to achieve it even if your sporting event is small and low on resources
- LEADERS
- April 30, 2018
Big interview: Catherine Kummer, NASCAR Green
“If we can take 1% of our 80 million fans and change their behaviour, that’s impactful”
- LEADERS
- April 30, 2018
Q&A: Luke Reissman, PGA of America
Golf’s future relies on sustainability initiatives, says Reissman
All Posts
How to find your voice as a young sports professional
Episode #50 – Melissa Zhang, the communications manager of USA Team Handball and Global Sports Week Young Sports Maker, on leveraging her position in sport to advocate for social and gender equity
Blending sport with culture and education
Episode #49 – IOC Young Leader and Global Sports Week Young Sports Maker, Paulina Fritz, discusses her vision of educating children about sustainable development through sports activities
A journey into sport and social entrepreneurship
Episode #48 – Kimberly Fernandez, a Global Sports Week Young Sports Maker, explains how and why she established a Mumbai-based start-up that gives children and women more opportunities in sport
Making sustainability a core business objective in sport
Episode #47 – Sports For Future founder Stefan Wagner discusses Germany’s climate and sport movement, and how he has helped TSG Hoffenheim build its strategy around sustainable development
“Sustainability is a club strategy – not a marketing project”
- LEADERS
- November 26, 2020
Ramón Alarcón, the driving force behind Real Betis’ climate action strategy, talks to The Sustainability Report about learning from Amazon, brand values, and sponsor engagement
How World Sailing is accelerating sustainable innovation in the marine industry
Episode #46 – Dan Reading, the federation’s head of sustainability, explains how decisions made by sports organisations can have a wider positive impact within industries
‘Climate change forced me to retire from sport’
- LEADERS
- January 21, 2021
Authors
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Matthew Campelli
EDITOR
-
Brian P. McCullough PhD
AUTHOR
-
Cameron Harvey-Piper
AUTHOR
-
Riikka Rakic
AUTHOR
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