Sports For Nature Report shows more can be done in the sports industry to respect nature

The Sports For Nature Report works as a benchmark for tracking the progression of industry attitudes towards sustainability in the sports industry, pinpointing areas that urgently require support.

It stems from the Sports For Nature survey conducted by research, content & creative agency Redtorch at The Spot 2023.

The survey was designed in collaboration with ThinkSport and Sails of Change with guidance from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), The Shift Agency, the Sustainable Mountain Alliance, and the Sustainable Sports Lab.

It questioned 170 professionals working in the sports industry across a range of roles and demographics.

Key findings:

• 89% of respondents agree that more can be done within the sports industry to respect nature.
• 52% of respondents believe regulations are not in place to protect nature within their sport/industry or if they are, they don’t know about them.
• 45% feel that their organisation may not have enough time/resources to address environmental issues.

The report serves as a resource for industry leaders, policymakers, and enthusiasts, emphasising the need to integrate environmental conservation into sports governance. It’s a call for the world of sport to embrace sustainable practices and safeguard the natural resources it heavily relies upon.

It accompanies the Sports for Nature Challenge powered by Sails of Change – helping industry stakeholders look for and implement innovative solutions that enhance biodiversity conservation within sport.

The sports industry needs to acknowledge the importance of sustainability and biodiversity and understand their impact on the planet. Our industry is inextricably linked with nature. Can you imagine football without grass, swimming without water, or running without clean air?

We’ve loved working on this project to help make sure that the sports we love are sustainable in the future.

Jonny Murch, Redtorch CEO