Sustainability in The Sports Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
Chapter from the book:
Özbay,
S.
&
Turan,
M.
&
Seçkin Ağırbaş,
İ.
(eds.)
2024.
Sustainability and Qualitative Research in Sport Management.
Synopsis
The sports industry is a huge sector with global economic and social impact. But the impact of sporting events and facilities on the environment cannot be ignored. Organizing sporting events consumes large amounts of energy and water, generates waste and produces CO2 emissions. Sustainability includes reducing environmental impact, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, water conservation and waste management. Economic and social sustainability strategies are also important for the future of the sports industry.
Sustainability practices in the sports industry face challenges such as high start-up costs, lack of awareness and cultural resistance, but offer significant long-term opportunities. Energy efficient practices and the use of renewable energy can lead to cost savings, while sustainability projects can create new revenue streams. It also supports social sustainability by raising public awareness and engaging sports clubs in social responsibility projects.
The aim of this study is to elaborate on the challenges faced by sustainability-related practices in the sport industry and the opportunities offered to address these challenges, to examine the environmental, economic and social sustainability dimensions of sport events and facilities, to provide strategic recommendations to sport organizations and clubs to adopt greener and more sustainable practices, to raise awareness about sustainability among all stakeholders in the sport industry and to identify the steps to be taken to create a sustainable sport industry.