GSS Impact Assessment Programme

Currently, there is no universal framework for guiding or expressing the sustainability efforts of sports organisations.

As a result, many organisations are working hard to embed sustainability — but struggle to articulate the true social, environmental, and economic value they create. Without a clear and standardised framework, sport cannot fully demonstrate its impact or lead global change.

That’s why Global Sustainable Sport (GSS), in collaboration with leading academics and practitioners, has developed a robust framework designed to help sports organisations assess, develop, and communicate their sustainability performance and their positive impacts on society and the planet.

• How sustainable is your organisation?
• How sustainable are your events, members and suppliers?
• Does your organisation measure sustainbility in a sporting context?
• Does your organisation have a comprehenisve system for reporting on its sustainable activities that covers all aspects of the organisation?
• How does your organisation positively contribute to society and the planet?

The GSS Impact Assessment Programme provides sports organisations with a structured, evidence-based way to evaluate and improve their sustainability across the 7 Sustainable Pillars of Sport: Partnerships, Participation, Planet, People, Power, Profile, and Prosperity.

We have developed  a sport-specific framework called the 7 Sustainable Pillars of Sport and we use this framework to understand what areas of sustainability an organisation is aware of; what actions and activities it has in these areas; and how it is measuring and reporting on its achievements and impacts in these areas. We call it the GSS Impact Assessment programme. We want to understand how your organisation positively contributes to society and the planet across the 7 Pillars.

Each organisation is assessed using this  programme and receives a tailored sustainability rating across each pillar and an overall impact assessment rating.

The programme offers:

• Independent benchmarking against global standards
• Practical recommendations for improvement
• Recognition through the assessment rating
• Tools to engage stakeholders and enhance reputation

Organisations are assessed annually, encouraging long-term improvement and leadership in sustainable sport.

Whether you’re just starting your sustainability journey or looking to lead the sector, the GSS Impact Assessment Programme can support your organisation with a tailored, scalable approach.

Join the growing community of sports organisations committed to making a real impact through the GSS Network. Be recognised and benchmark your progress. Become a Champion of Sustainability.

We offer three levels of assessment:

• Awareness –What areas of sustainability an organisation is aware of across the 7 Pillars.
• Engagement – What actions and activities has the organisation engaged in
• Impacts/Outcomes – How it is measuring and reporting on its impacts and outcomes.