European sport fights back over environmental accusations

Wed, 23/07/2008 - 09:43

Marketing | Europe | Sports Tourism

Hitting back against claims that European sport doesn’t take its environmental responsibilities seriously, a new report from SportBusiness Group shows that this is not the full picture.

'Sustainable Sport' highlights data from the recent Euro 2008 which shows that this was the greenest major sports event ever.

The report quotes Josef Pröll, joint host Austria’s environment minister, as saying prior to the competition: "The call for Green Games is becoming louder and louder. We are confident that we are laying the foundation of a green European Championship.”

Part of this foundation was a unique cooperation between the national railway companies of Austria and Switzerland, ÖBB and SBB. Their provision of free rail travel to over 1 million match ticket holders is central to a strategy that will not only reduce the carbon emission within the stadia but eliminate much more from fans who will leave their cars at home.

Sustainable Sport shows the example of Austrian host city, Klagenfurt whose Wörthersee Stadion was rebuilt for Euro 2008. It was built to strict environmental standards and designed to operate at reduced capacity in legacy mode a feature which will save on both operating cost and environmental waste.

Klagenfurt itself ensured that the green stadium was complemented by a green strategy to get fans to the stadium. It restricted parking and created a pedestrian and cycle link from the city centre as well as employed 250 extra staff to collect and recycle waste from fanzones and surrounding streets.

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

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