GSS Sustainable

Pillars of Sport

Currently there is no standard framework for guiding or expressing the sustainable activities of a sports organisation.

 

More and more sports organisations are looking to develop their sustainability programmes, but without a clear framework to express these activities they are struggling to show the true social, economic, and environmental impact they have on society and the planet, whether positive or negative.

Sport has a unique set of impacts that do not fit an ESG framework. The Sport for Climate Acton framework, for example, focuses on key aspects of sustainability, but does not provide a broad overview of the key complexities of sustainability. Sport needs its own unique framework that captures the true value of sport and a common way to express sustainability in a sporting context.

GSS Sustainable Pillars of Sport.

 


 

GSS in partnership and consultation with academics, industry practitioners and sports organisations has developed a framework that aims to capture that true value.

The framework has been designed by combining different ESG frameworks and other reporting methods to provide a one-stop platform that sport can use to report on its activities and outcomes.

The GSS framework is called the 7 GSS Sustainable Pillars of Sport which cover all aspects of sustainability in a sporting context:

  • Partnerships (Working Together)
  • Participation (Sport)
  • People (Social)
  • Planet (Environmental)
  • Power (Governance)
  • Profile (Media)
  • Prosperity (Economic/Financial)

 

1. Partnerships (Working Together)

One of the key UN SDG’s is SDG 17, “Partnerships for the Goals”. It is clear that the global challenges represented by the 17 SDG’s can be not be solved by any single nation, city, organisation or individual. Sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and inspiring people in a way that many other sectors cannot. As is commonly stated, “Sport has the power to change the world”. By coming together, in partnership, sport has the chance to use this power, and its global voice, to help drive a more sustainable future for sport and the planet.
 
SDG 17
 

2. Participation (Sport)

UN SDG 3 focuses on “Good Health and Well-Being” one element of which is getting people active. One of sport’s greatest assets is encouraging people to get active. Given the global levels of obesity and inactivity in the world today, sport can lead the way in encouraging people to participate in some form of sport or activity
 
SDG 3
 

3. People (Social)

People
UN SDG’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 focus on People. Sport can play a vital role in every aspect of improving social outcomes through sport. Sport can play a role in helping to reduce poverty, hunger and inequality and improve education, diversity, water, sanitation, health and well-being.
 
SDG 1 SDG 2 SDG 3 SDG 4 SDG 5 SDG 6 SDG 10
 

4. Planet (Environmental)

UN SDG’s 13, 14 and 15 focus on the Planet. Sport can help the fight against climate change, reduce carbon emissions and plastic waste, improve air and water quality and help our oceans and “Life on Land”
 
SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15
Planet
 

5. Power (Governance)

Power
UN SDG 16 focuses on “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” which is frequently presented as Governance or Power. Sport can lead the way in pushing for world peace, reducing conflicts and promoting good governance.
 
SDG 16
 

6. Profile (Media)

An area not really covered by the UN SDG’s but an area that is a key pillar of sport is Profile. Sport helps to promote cities, countries and brands all over the world. With access to over half of the world’s population, sport can use its global platform to help promote sustainability and deliver a better future for the planet.
Profile
 

7. Prosperity (Economic/Financial)

Prosperity
The UN SDG’s 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 focus on economic activity like clean energy, decent work and growth, industry, innovation, infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities and responsible consumption and production. Sport can lead the way in driving better economic outcomes through sport and also promoting other elements of economic activity like sustainable tourism and travel.
 
SDG 7 SDG 8 SDG 9 SDG 11 SDG 12
 

Be Part of the Global Sport Sustainability Movement

 

Join the GSS Network today and take the first step towards a sustainable future in sports.

Register for the GSS Network today

Register your interest here in becoming a member of the GSS Network and helping to drive sustainability around the world

Register your interest in signing up to the GSS Network today and together we can drive meaningful change and build a sustainable future for sports.


    GSS Network Registration

    Please select the GSS Network membership option you are interested in registering for:

    • Sports Individual - Sports Fan - Free

    • Sports Individual - Sports Student - €95

    • Sports Individual - Sports Competitor - €195

    • Sports Organisation - Grassroots - €295

    • Sports Organisation - Small/Medium - €495

    • Sports Organisation - Professional - €995

    • Commercial Organisation - SME - €995

    • Commercial Organisation - Corporate - €4,995

    • Commercial Organisation - Group - POA

    A representative from GSS will be in contact with you shortly to discuss the various membership options.

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