News article
Report highlights impact of climate change on global rugby
Kingsholm Stadium, home to Gloucester Rugby in the UK, is at risk of “marine submersion” according to World Rugby’s latest findings, while temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in some countries will make playing rugby ‘dangerous’.
The Rugby and Climate Change Report examined the impact of a projected worldwide temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius on the sport.
It revealed that 11% of 111 stadiums looked at around the world are at risk of submersion, while 30% will experience increased wind and cyclone activity.
“While varying from one climate region to another, the consequences of climate change on rugby’s practice and ecosystem are significant and will continue to deteriorate in the coming decades,” read the report.
“Heat waves will continue to affect athlete performance and spectator health. Droughts will more frequently affect turf pitches, while submersions from flooding and/or sea-level rise will increasingly impact infrastructure.”
A total of 10 rugby playing nations were also investigated, including Australia, South Africa, France, Fiji, and New Zealand. Six of these will face 10 additional days where playing rugby will be dangerous due to temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.
Perth’s Optus Stadium, The HFC Bank Stadium in Fiji’s capital Suva, two Japanese stadiums in Higashiosaka and Kitakyushu, as well as five stadiums in New Zealand in Napier, Nelson, Dunedin, Whangarei and Tauranga also face the risk of marine submersion.
“It is my sincere hope that the findings contained in this landmark study will not only raise awareness within our rugby family but also serve as a catalyst for collective action."
The report has made a series of recommendations to rugby federations to help enhance rugby’s resilience to climate change together with guidance and case studies to inspire positive action.
One proposes that research is made into the adaptation of rugby practices to make it more accessible in different conditions. An example of this is the new non-contact format T1 Rugby that is more suitable for dry surfaces.
The creation of a fund to help those most at risk from the impacts of the climate crisis is also recommended. The promotion of local climate change adaptation, management tools to support agreed actions that anticipate climate change effects, and climate projections into decision-making processes are also included.
“It is my sincere hope that the findings contained in this landmark study will not only raise awareness within our rugby family but also serve as a catalyst for collective action at all levels of the game; and that its recommendations will inspire initiatives that foster sustainable practices, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience within our sport,” said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.