Sustainability in Sports – Who is Stepping Up Their Game?

By Scott Martin
on July 9, 2012 9:19 am

As more companies embrace sustainability within their operations, renewable energy sources are also changing the way traditional pastimes, like sporting events, power their activities.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced last week it will spend $20 million to develop a comprehensive sustainability plan for the 2014 World Cup, a first for the international competition. The plan will reduce and offset carbon emissions through the construction of green stadiums and the use of renewable energy, among other efforts.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is also swinging into renewable energy. Many MLB teams have stepped up by installing solar panels on facilities, earning stadium LEED certifications and donating the vegetable oil used for cooking food in the concession stands for biofuels. In addition, 14 MLB teams have joined The Green Sports Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of major sports that “helps teams, venues, and leagues enhance their environmental performance.”

In 2005, MLB became the first sports league to partner with the Natural Resources Defense Council and subsequently formed the “Commissioner’s Initiative on Sustainable Stadium Operations and Team Practices” — now known simply as the MLB Greening Program.

“Just as baseball took a leading role in the development of relations between the races in the United States, so must it turn its influence to other important social issues,” said MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. “Sound environmental practices make business sense, help clubs be good citizens and protect our natural resources for future generations of fans.”

Green Mountain is getting into the game, as well.  We helped green up Super Bowl XLVI and the 2012 Atlantic Cup – what other sporting events would you like to see go green?