Sustainable Sport shows that this isn’t just a recent phenomenon either. The National Football League (NFL) dates its interest in sustainability back to 1993 when it launched its environmental programme. Data from this year’s Superbowl is also impressive with a record 700 tonnes or 75% of all waste recycled and offsetting equivalent to 92 megatons of carbon dioxide.
At club level, the Philadelphia Eagles Go Green program has eliminated 2,900 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and recycled 150 tonnes of waste. They recently installed solar panels at the team's training and practice complex which can produce up to 16,100kwh per annum eliminating 12,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
Christina Lurie, owner of the NFL Philadelphia Eagles, explains that solar power is just one element of the organisation's environmental strategy: "The campaign has continued to grow. We believe these solar panels are an important step in the process of greening our team. The panels are a constant reminder to our employees, players, coaches and visitors that we all need to reduce our environmental footprint."
Neither is NFL alone in its action. The report highlights examples from Major League Baseball where MLB Cincinnati Reds claims to be the first carbon neutral team and the National Hockey League where 523 players representing all 30 teams are voluntarily purchasing carbon credits to offset the impact of their travel to matches.
The report found no evidence of anything similar among European teams despite the considerable environmental impact of high profile tours and competitions.
Sustainable Sport is published in July 2008 by SportBusiness Group. The report demonstrates the important role that sports organisations can play in changing public perception and the steps they need to take to improve their environmental impact.
For further details contact phil.savage@sportbusiness.com 020 7954 3430
