In recent years, sustainability has shifted from being a “nice-to-have” to a strategic necessity across industries. The sports sector—known for its cultural influence, vast fan base, and global reach—is uniquely positioned to accelerate climate action. This was the focus of a recent episode of Sustainability Unplugged, where Olive Gaea’s Co-Founder and CMO, Jessica Scopacasa, spoke with Sean Morris, CEO of 1.5 Degrees Sport and Co-Founder of the Sports Impact Summit.
Sean highlighted how leading brands in sport and beyond are redefining sustainability—from Reflo®’s fully recyclable sportswear to Liverpool Football Club’s push for #netzero and greener stadium operations, McLaren Automotive’s carbon reduction strategies, SailGP’s renewable energy focus, Wimbledon’s plastic-free initiatives with evian, fashion innovators like Ian Curtis, and efforts by The Oxford SDG Impact Lab and Scoreboard to educate and accelerate action—showcasing what’s possible when communities and organizations unite to #getonthepitch
From his journey as a professional cricketer to leading climate-focused initiatives across global sports organizations, Sean’s insights underline how sports can mobilize both organizations and communities toward a sustainable future.
Performance, Community, and Data: Lessons from Sport
Sean highlights that the values learned through sport—performance and community—translate seamlessly into sustainability practices.
“We can’t go around determining how we’re going to play a sports match if we don’t know whether we’re winning or losing.”
Data, according to Sean, is as central to sustainability as it is to sport. Just as athletes use performance metrics to improve, organizations need accurate ESG data to understand their impact and make meaningful improvements. Community, too, plays a critical role—just as fans rally behind teams, stakeholders must unite around climate goals to amplify change.
Participation Over Perfection
One of Sean’s most powerful messages is about inclusivity in climate action. He draws a parallel between sports and sustainability:
“Don’t think you’ve got to be an expert. You just need to play the sustainability game. We never say to a child when they turn up for their first football lesson, ‘come back when you’re a pro.’ We encourage them.”
This mindset is particularly important for organizations hesitant to take their first sustainability steps. Progress, Sean notes, doesn’t come from waiting until every detail is perfect but from starting today. Small, consistent actions—whether switching to reusable bottles at a tournament or improving logistics efficiency—can create ripple effects that lead to significant change.
Why Sport Can’t Afford to Delay Sustainability
For sports organizations, embedding sustainability is no longer about moral choice alone—it’s becoming a commercial necessity. Sponsors, fans, and communities are demanding authentic climate action. Major events increasingly require sustainability credentials upfront, making inaction a reputational and financial risk.
These brand-led examples—from recyclable teamwear and refill systems to renewable event power—underscore that credible action strengthens performance, trust, and long-term value.
Sean points to examples like Evian at Wimbledon replacing plastic bottles with reusables, and DP World’s innovations in sports logistics. These initiatives demonstrate that sustainability can align with operational efficiency, brand value, and community engagement.
The Urgency of UAE Climate Laws
The Middle East, and particularly the UAE, is accelerating this transition through regulation. New climate laws in the UAE are raising the bar for businesses and sports organizations alike, requiring accurate emissions reporting and stronger ESG practices.
Sean acknowledges that many organizations in the region are not yet fully prepared. Their priorities have traditionally centered on players, sponsorships, and media deals, leaving sustainability less developed. However, regulatory frameworks will quickly change this dynamic.
Technology, Sean explains, is already enabling faster, cost-effective data collection and emissions tracking. Where sustainability once required heavy consultancy costs, AI-powered tools and platforms can now accelerate compliance and strategy implementation. For organizations in the UAE, this represents not only a challenge but also a competitive advantage—those who move early can position themselves as leaders in a fast-changing landscape.
Key Takeaways for Business and Sport Leaders
The conversation between Jessica and Sean underscores several lessons that resonate far beyond the sports industry:
- Data is the foundation: Without accurate ESG data, progress is impossible to measure or scale.
- Community drives impact: Just as teams rely on fans, organizations must bring stakeholders together around sustainability goals.
- Small actions matter: Perfection is not the goal—participation and consistency are.
- Regulation accelerates change: UAE’s new climate laws are creating urgency, making sustainability both a compliance requirement and a growth opportunity.
- Commercial and cultural relevance: Organizations that lead on sustainability will be rewarded with stronger community trust, sponsor support, and long-term resilience.
The progress from Reflo®, Liverpool FC, McLaren Automotive, SailGP, Wimbledon × evian, Ian Curtis, The Oxford SDG Impact Lab, and Scoreboard provides practical blueprints for leaders seeking to translate ambition into measurable results.
Closing the Climate Action Gap
Sean’s reflections serve as a reminder that sustainability is both urgent and achievable. With the UAE’s regulatory landscape evolving, the call to action for businesses—inside and outside the sports industry—is clear: act now.
The climate action gap can only be closed if organizations embrace participation over perfection, embed accurate data practices, and leverage their influence to inspire change at scale. Sports, with its cultural microphone, has the power to normalize sustainable behavior for millions. Businesses, with their strategic reach, have the tools to turn ambition into measurable progress.
As Sean says, it’s about getting on the pitch:
“It will get easier, and you’ll get better and better at it. And that’s what sport teaches us—we want to get better tomorrow than we were today.”
The time to act is now—because in sustainability, just like in sport, every play counts.
FAQs:
What’s the ROI of sustainability in events?
Sustainability enhances brand reputation, reduces waste costs, attracts eco-conscious sponsors, and ensures regulatory readiness—turning ESG from a cost center into a business advantage. Here is a use case of one of the biggest event management companies that was able to make smarter resource decisions and enhance stakeholder engagement with a powerful AI-powered solution.
What ESG reporting standards apply to event companies?
Event organizers increasingly align with GRI, CSRD, ISSB, and GHG Protocol frameworks. These require transparent tracking of energy, water, waste, and supplier emissions.
How can technology simplify sustainability tracking across multiple events?
AI-powered platforms like “Zero for events” automate data collection from venues, logistics, and vendors, giving CSOs real-time dashboards for ESG metrics, audits, and carbon reporting—all without spreadsheets.
How can I engage sponsors and attendees in our sustainability goals?
Create visibility through data dashboards, green partnerships, and gamified fan actions—like rewards for low-carbon travel or recycling. Engagement drives both impact and brand equity.
