How athletes envisage the future of sport during climate change
There is an urgent need for greater climate action across the sports industry, according to a new report
There is an urgent need for greater climate action across the sports industry, emphasising the critical role athletes can play in shaping a more sustainable future for sport, according to a new briefing report.
Research from Cardiff University has revealed how athletes envisage the future of sport in a changing climate.
Dr Briony Latter, Research Associate at CAST, said: “Sport occupies a unique place in society, and athletes have enormous potential to influence climate awareness and action. But athletes cannot carry this responsibility alone. Structural support and action from organisations is essential.”
"We have developed a briefing report that serves as a resource for athletes and the organisations that support them, including governing bodies, clubs, sponsors, networks, and other sports institutions.”
The researchers held future visioning workshops with current and former athletes and people working with athletes from across different countries and sports. They explored how athletes envisage their role and their sport in the future. This included imagining their sport and athletes in 2050 and discussing what would help enable climate action to achieve a positive future.
The athletes in the workshops represented a wide range of different sports, including swimming, basketball, football, Australian football, cycling, sailing, rugby, racewalking, triathlon, canoeing, trail running, ultra-marathon running, hockey, basketball, flag football, and skiing. They were based in the UK and internationally.
Participants discussed how extreme weather, including increased heat, was already changing their sports and would continue to do so in future
They anticipated major changes to travel, training and events as well as to health and the environments they train and compete in.
However, they also thought there would be more localised competition in future, reduced or more sustainable travel, and stronger connections between sport, wellbeing, and community. Many also believed climate awareness and sustainable behaviours would become increasingly normalised among athletes and sports organisations alike.
“We found that athletes face a range of barriers when trying to take action on climate change. This includes constraints over their own behaviours and limited power for some to influence high-level climate action in the sector,” added Dr Latter.