Major sports events including HK Sevens need to ‘double down’ on sustainability
==========
Great Britain rugby sevens player Jamie Farndale emphasizes the need for international sports events to prioritize sustainability efforts due to their significant environmental impact. According to Farndale, professional sports emit 350 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, equivalent to the emissions of countries like Poland or Spain. The majority of emissions, around 90%, are generated by people traveling to these events. Farndale suggests that current efforts to reduce carbon footprints by 5% or 10% are insufficient and that a more significant commitment is necessary. The issue extends beyond international travel, as older venues like Hong Kong Stadium do not use renewable energy, and large amounts of food, packaging, and single-use plastics are discarded after events. Farndale believes that the sports industry has the potential to influence people to actively reduce their carbon footprints. The Hong Kong Sevens, for example, implemented sustainability measures such as using reusable plastic cups and partnering with Feeding Hong Kong to distribute unsold food. However, there are challenges in implementing sustainable practices, including contractual obligations and financial considerations for vendors, as well as restrictions imposed by stadiums. Hong Kong rugby boss Robbie McRobbie suggests that legislation may be necessary to enforce sustainability measures. The Hong Kong Sevens served as a test case for the Environmental Protection Department's Green Event Guidebook, which provides guidelines for waste reduction in large events. The next Hong Kong Sevens will be held at the newly built Kai Tak Sports Park, which will incorporate renewable energy sources.
#Sustainability #SportsEvents #GreenhouseGases #CarbonFootprint #RenewableEnergy #WasteReduction