News article
Sustainability round-up: Union Cycliste Internationale, SailGP…
Also in the news: Formula 1, the Los Angeles Clippers and more…
A new report on the impact of holding major sporting events in London in 2023 has been published. Last year, highlights included hosting National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) games, and resulted in £160m of total direct economic impact. The Formula E-Prix at ExCel London brought in £26.5m, while MLB produced an impact of £53m. RideLondon provided a £4m economic impact, and three NFL games held across Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium brought in £76m.
The UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) E1 World Championship, the first all-electric race boat series, has unveiled the E1 Blue Impact Championship. The sustainability focused league table will challenge Championship teams to drive positive impact by mobilising fans to help the ocean and aquatic ecosystems. The E1 Blue Impact Championship forms part of the series’ Blue Impact Programme, which supports collaborations with host cities, partners, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and scientists to address coastal habitat issues.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has called for applications for the first ever UCI Cycling for All & Sustainability Awards. The awards have been launched as part of the UCI’s Sustainability Strategy, and will recognise outstanding social and environmental initiatives implemented by the cycling family – including professional riders, teams, national federations, event organisers and UCI Bike Cities and Regions.
Formula 1 has claimed that the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November last year generated nearly $1.5bn in economic value. Some 316,000 fans attended the race, including 145,000 unique visitors – a record for the city. Following the event last year, F1 has now signed a deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the official destination marketing organisation of Southern Nevada.
Following a meeting between the President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and New Zealand Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, the two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthened sports partnerships. The partnership will also focus on the 2050 Blue Pacific Continent strategy and the IOC Agenda 2020-5 initiative. The President and Governor-General also focused on the theme ‘Radiant and Resilient: Advancing Sustainability, Unity and Prosperity in the Pacific through Sport’.
Extreme E returned to Scotland earlier this month with the Hydro X Prix, which debuted in 2023. The all-electric off-roading championship has been working with the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, a non-profit organisation based in Scotland dedicated to conserving and enhancing the aquatic environment of the River Nith and its tributaries. The aim is to protect and enhance the river’s fish populations, improve water quality and create sustainable fishing opportunities.
Sail GP Season 4 has just come to a close with Spain victorious, but the sailing series also celebrated its sustainability efforts on and off the water. Ten out of 13 of this campaign’s events were powered by clean energy, and 37 women athletes raced on the F50s catamarans. The Spain Sail Grand Prix marked the first-ever 100% clean energy event powered by sustainable fuel on-water, saving 13tCO2e per event compared to use of fossil fuel equivalent.
The National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) Los Angeles Clippers and new home Intuit Dome have partnered with Pechanga Resort Casino. The partnership will see Pechanga and the Clippers host events benefitting fans and the local community every year, while a Clippers’ Open Practice will be held at the Pechanga Indian Reservation in Temecula.
Image: Maico Amorim on Unsplash