SEA Summit delivers insightful program on sport and sustainability practices and climate challenges

The Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) Summit 2024, held today at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, focussed on the theme of the The Future of Sport: Taking action today for tomorrow, and included an impressive list of speakers, giving attendees an insight into current sustainability practices, journeys and challenges from both a local and international perspective.

SEA delivered an influential gathering for the sports community to unite around environmental sustainability issues. As some of the presenters highlighted, sport in Australia offers a significant platform from which to disseminate sustainability/environmental/climate change concerns, initiatives and actions among its players, organisations and fan base. 

Margot Foster, Chair Sports Environment Alliance welcomed attendees with an opening comment of “know that the clock is ticking. If we wish to preserve places we play on, we need to start taking action now…but we probably should have started earlier.”

Jan Fitzgerald, Chief Executive SEA asked attendees to ponder “ what am I going to start today, to make a difference tomorrow”

Pete Lazer, Master of Ceremonies added “words are important, but actions are imperative.”

Dr Sheila Nguyen, Co founder and Board Director, SEA and Head of Sustainability FIFA Women’s World Cup shared insights into the sustainability legacy of the competition including the commitment to plant 30,000 trees, and football rewilded installations.

Merilee Barnes, Head of Games Impact and Legacy, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee highlighted the strategic framework associated with Elevate 2042 and discussed how the Games aim to be Net Zero by 2032, not 2050, noting the need to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and adding “the world will be watching us for sustainable innovations.”

Claire Poole, Founder and CEO, Sport Positive UK delivered her message via video sharing that an organisation’s funding could be impacted by inaction on climate and sustainability. 280 signatories to the UN Sport Action Climate Network include AFL Players Association, Tennis Australia, Hockey Australia, Bowls Australia and Richmond Football Club.

Rita Nehme, Head of Sustainability Richmond FC shared that "motivation for their sustainability practices came from the ground up."

Adam Bishop, General Manager Growth and Development, Athletics Australia noted they have “a lot of work to do” but are developing partnerships for support towards best sustainability practice.

Alexia Morgan, Group Manager, Business Improvement, Belgravia Health and Leisure Group commented on the sustainability practices at Ascot Vale Leisure Centre and its Carbon Neutral Certification project.

Michael Kenny from Racing Victoria along with Liam Cook from Quayclean and Danny Mitroussidis from BiobiN talked on the topic of ‘Circular Economy in Sport: Avoiding, reducing and recycling today, to prevent resource challenges tomorrow’ with Kenny touching on the various waste streams that must be considered - construction, organic and green.

Cook shared “Goals are to work towards a circular economy... Collaboration is key to best practice... It’s no use for us going into a stadium and saying, this is how we do things in Adelaide. Because it will be different in Melbourne or wherever we are."

Rebekah Cheney,from Deloitte noted "Young fans have grown up around climate change. They want to know how you are putting into action what you have said you will do.

"As sports organisations you are in a privileged position to be able to set the tone for the transition that is underway. You can influence the trajectory of the transition."

Jeremy Arnold, Associate Principal Consultant, Bastion Reputation added "the cultural significance of sport enables it to speak with authenticity on climate action.

"Play the long game not just a 4-year strategic plan."

Alex Mednis from SportsGrid contributed one of the closing comments “Sport and data and climate and tech all connect” with Terry Muir from epar adding that they are developing software solutions to make things happen” and Paul Kamphuis from Polytan noting “being green doesn’t compromise sport.”

Image top. Credit SEA Summit. All other images. Credit: Karen Sweaney