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A report released in November by Sport Positive, UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) is highlighting how social psychology can help sports organizations accelerate climate action. Titled “What’s Stopping Us? Applying Psychology to Accelerate Climate Action in Sport,” it delves into key psychological insights, including the importance of understanding people’s values, addressing misconceptions and leveraging leadership to drive meaningful change.
The report is designed to help people working in sports organizations understand key areas which can help and hinder climate engagement and action. The recommendations, grounded in the psychology of environmental behavior change, urge the sports industry to take proactive steps in recognizing and addressing its environmental impacts. It speaks to the different ways in which people engage with climate change, outlining research on values, trust, emotions and collective action. It also highlights evidence about behavior change within organizations, including social and structural barriers and how interventions should be tailored to different groups.
“Behavioral change is about our ability to think differently, feel differently and understand our relationships differently. To address climate change we need to be open to these factors. This report is a good starting point for sport to do just that,” shared Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Initiatives Lead at UNFCCC.
The report calls for leadership by example and advocates for sports organizations to play multiple roles in driving broader social and political advocacy for climate action. Key insights and recommendations include:
- Reorienting Sport Organizations for Climate Action: Sports organizations should refocus their activities for climate action. Beyond reducing emissions, organizations should embrace multiple roles—such as influencers, advocates, community leaders and event hosts—to drive climate action.
- The Power of Personal Stories: Sharing personal stories and showcasing efforts to address climate change makes the cause more relatable. This helps shift attitudes, positioning athletes and sports organizations as trusted messengers and role models for climate action.
- Highlighting Action Across Sport: Showcasing examples of climate action from grassroots to elite levels, including fans, can help overcome pluralistic ignorance (the belief that one’s views differ from the majority) and normalize climate engagement in sport.
- Synergies Between Women’s Sport and Climate Change: Globally, women are more likely to think about climate change regularly. With women’s sport growing in participation and viewership, there is a unique opportunity to leverage this growth to support climate goals.
- Future Research Needs: The report calls for further research to address knowledge gaps, particularly around the role of sport in climate mitigation and adaptation in Africa, South America and Australasia.
Sport Positive supports the global sports community in increasing ambition and action on climate change, sustainability, environmental justice and biodiversity. UNFCCC intends to provide sports organizations with the forum to pursue climate action, and CAST serves as a hub for understanding the systemic and societal changes required to tackle climate change at a broader level.
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