PLAY FOR THE PLANET: SPORTS LEADING THE CHARGE IN FOREST RESTORATION AND PROTECTION
FORESTS
Inspired by Paul Hawken's vision in Regeneration: Ending the climate crisis in one generation, we've launched "Regeneration Revolution: Sport’s Solutions to Helping End the Climate Crisis." This series highlights how sports can be a dynamic force in addressing the climate crisis, with a keen focus on the nine core areas explored in Hawken's book: Cities, Food, People, Energy, Industry, Forests, Land, Wilding, and Oceans.
Forests play a crucial role in climate change, both as a sink and a source of carbon emissions. They are also home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
In his book, Hawken highlights that preventing deforestation is the most cost effective way to decrease carbon emissions and calls for solutions such as:
Afforestation (new trees).
Reforestation (replacement trees).
Proforestation (protect existing trees).
Restoration of peatlands.
Indigenous fire prevention methods.
Sustainable bamboo cultivation.
HOW IS THE SPORTS
INDUSTRY RESPONDING?
In the sports industry, tree planting is currently one of the most common environmental initiatives undertaken to fight climate change.
While efforts are commendable, these projects often confuse future potential impact with immediate impact, and very few outline a detailed strategy for change.
It’s crucial to recognize that, while these initiatives hold long term value, they should not be seen as a quick fix to offset carbon emissions – especially considering that the benefits are likely to be realized over a timespan of 15 years or more.
The IOC Olympic Forest project is a contribution to the Great Green Wall initiative, which restores degraded landscapes across Africa’s Sahel region.
This project will involve planting around 355,000 native trees across approximately 90 villages in Mali and Senegal — the host of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games — and will cover a combined area of around 2,120 hectares.
More than just planting trees, the Olympic Forest will contribute to increasing the local communities’ food and economic security.
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Vodafone Business’ partnership with Extreme E goes beyond racing to support the series’ sustainability projects.
This includes a new Internet of Things ultra-early forest fire detection system in a region of Sardinia that was most affected during the wildfires of summer 2021.
Together, Extreme E and Vodafone run a forest fire prevention campaign within the local communities.
17 SPORT’S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
In 2021, at the IUCN’s World Conservation Congress, 17 Sport’s Francois Singer moderated a panel on sports and their role in the preservation of biodiversity.
Alongside Raphael Boutin from the Ligue Méditerranée de Football (LMF), Marlène Devillez, a kayaker and hydrologist, Thomas Cervetti from Nomads Surfing, and Benjamin Adler from Game Earth, the discussion was an encouraging reminder that there are many bright and agile minds dedicated to using sports to prevent climate change and preserve biodiversity.
Through Raphael’s leadership, LMF has developed very thorough guides to help clubs and players be positive eco-citizens, understand sustainable transport, and address other key aspects around these topics. Additionally, the LMF has put in effort internally to be more environmentally friendly.
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Juventus has a partnership with One Tree Planted, whereby 100 trees are planted for every goal scored by the top two teams.
Since the start of the collaboration, 55,000 trees have been planted all over the world – with an estimated 11 thousand tons of CO2 retained in the first 20 years after sowing.
To offset carbon emissions resulting from its match days, Arsenal FC created the Arsenal Forest in Africa in partnership with NGO CarbonLink.
The forest will cover 12.5 acres in Boré, a coastal province of Kenya. The tree planting serves to absorb CO2 and will greatly help the local community, as 60 of the poorest local women are employed to propagate the seedlings in a community nursery.
Fans can also participate in the project by purchasing trees in three different denominations.
The Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA have all aligned with a project called Tree for Three. This project will plant a tree for every three-point shot made by the players on these teams.
WHAT CAN WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS?
If reforestation efforts are done badly, they can actually have a negative impact on the environment, hastening extinctions and making nature less resilient. This underlines the importance of doing it right.
Below, we’re listed some key takeaways that can be used to bring about positive change through sports:
Promoting Forest Conservation:
Recognize the critical role that forests play in addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity. Sports organizations can support solutions such as afforestation, reforestation, proforestation (protecting existing trees), restoration of peatlands, and the use of indigenous fire prevention methods to prevent deforestation.
Focus on Long-Term Impact:
While tree planting initiatives are commendable, sports organizations should understand that the benefits of such efforts are often realized over a timespan of 15 years or more. Leaders in the sports industry should prioritize long-term strategies for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Collaboration and Leadership:
Engage in partnerships, discussions, and leadership roles within the sports industry and with external organizations. Hosting panels and discussions, as seen with 17 Sport's involvement in the IUCN World Conservation Congress, can promote the use of sports for climate change prevention and biodiversity preservation.
Community Involvement:
Embrace initiatives that involve local communities in tree planting and conservation efforts. For instance, projects like the Arsenal Forest provide employment opportunities to local communities, improving their economic security and benefiting the environment.
Innovative Initiatives:
Consider creative ways to link sports events and achievements with tree planting. For example, the "Tree for Three" initiative tied to three-point shots in basketball, or partnerships like Juventus with One Tree Planted for tree planting based on goals scored, can make sustainability efforts more engaging and accessible to fans while making a tangible impact. Additionally, initiatives like the IOC Olympic Forest Project, which links tree planting to large sporting events, can have significant and far-reaching benefits.
In light of this, at 17 Sport we encourage a broader approach by the sports community, including the consideration of alternative approaches — such as proforestation — that can hold even greater value.
ABOUT 17 SPORT
17 Sport exists to help businesses use the power of sport to build a more positive future for the world whilst accomplishing commercial goals.
Founded in 2020, our name is inspired by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and is anchored to SDG 17 and our profound belief in the power of partnerships. Based in 7 different countries on 3 continents, our global team of experts comprises individuals who have been at the forefront of the purpose revolution in sports and business for the last 15 years.
To find out how 17 Sport can help you activate your purpose through sports to help address the climate crisis, reach out to info@17-sport.com for a one on one consultation with one of our experts.