CARBON LITERACY FOR SPORTS

The Native Crowd: Carbon Literacy for the Sports Sector advert with a picture of monogram mountains behind the text.

What is Carbon Literacy

The Carbon Literacy Project defines Carbon Literacy as an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.

Aren’t sports just good clean fun?

It’s true, sports are a vital part of life for many people, providing a source of fun and connection, and supporting healthy living. However, the sports sector also has a significant carbon footprint. Encompassing everything from international tournaments and large teams, to grassroots clubs and personal sports activities, the sector creates emissions in multiple ways.

The sports sector greatly impacts the environment due to its sheer volume and reach. The global sports industry is responsible for approximately 350 million tonnes of CO2e. Additionally, the sector has incredible influence, playing a big part in millions of peopleโ€™s lives. Fans, participants, staff, and volunteers of all ages engage with sports, resulting in a unique opportunity for the sports sector to empower people and ignite climate action.

The funny thing is (well, not really funny at all really) that while sports has the potential to significantly influence a wide gamut of the population, it’s also one of the sectors that will feel the effects of the climate crisis first. In fact, it already is. Just look at all the cancelled events and matches recently due to weather events, plus the damage to infrastructure. And yet, climate change still doesn’t appear on the annual reports of many of the biggest sports organisations. This has to change. Not least because climate risks have an intrinsic impact on the business of sports organisations.

The new Carbon Literacy Training for Sports provides bespoke training to raise awareness of greenhouse gas emissions and their role in climate change and, importantly, what you can do about it in the sports industry.

Carbon Literacy for Sports training details:

Participants must undertake a day of learning accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project. Training will take place online or in-person either on a single day or over the course of 4 shorter sessions. Sessions will focus on group participation (so be prepared to get stuck in!), quizzes, videos and games. The course is split into 4 modules.

Upon completion of the session(s), participants will complete an evidence form which will be submitted to the Carbon Literacy Project for approval. You will receive a certificate and certified footer logo from the Carbon Literacy Project upon completion of this final step.

Who should complete Carbon Literacy for Sports training?

Carbon Literacy for Sports is for people working in the sports industry and the outdoor and anyone participating in recreational/competitive sports on a regular basis.

It will explore what individuals and organisations working in/participating in the sports sector can do to mitigate the climate crisis. This can include athletes, event organisers, employees in senior leadership positions, marketing managers, those working in sports communication/PR, supply chain managers, local sports events volunteers/employees, etc. Essentially, anyone with a vested interest in sports who wants to get started on their sustainability journey, or anyone looking to grow their voice and decrease their carbon footprint.

Trainee feedback: "Interesting, engaging & informative".
"Informative, fun, intensive'


If you’re a business looking to run Carbon Literacy for Sports, please get in touch for bookings for organisations.

Why should you complete Carbon Literacy training for the Sports Sector?

I’m not an amazing sportsperson, nor am I directly employed by a sports association, but I am active in my local sports teams. I also offer my services on a freelance basis for sports organisations. For this reason, I have a responsibility to have a sound knowledge of the climate crisis and what I can do about it in such an important part of my life.

Why not learn how you can play your part, both at home and professionally, in an emergency that affectS us all? You’ll not only feel better and less hopeless, this training will provide you with skills that are going to be in demand now more than ever, and the knowledge of how you can have the biggest impact possible.

For me, it all started with my two tearaways – one of which is pictured during their first outdoor climb of 2024. I want to make sure that when they look up at a crag in 10, 20 or 30 years, they looK up at it from as bountiful and safe a world as we have now.

What’s your ‘why’?


Want to find out how athletes like you are experiencing climate change?

Read my new interview series.


Are you certified to carry out Carbon Literacy for Sports training?

Carbon Literacy Project logo for a Certified Facilitator

Yes! I’m a certified Carbon Literacy Facilitator and this is an accredited course by the Carbon Literacy Project (CLP). I have been authorised by the Carbon Literacy Project to carry out this training for the sports sector.

A photo of Marjolein Thickett at the top of the crag at Lindale Slabs in the Lake District. Marjolein wears a silver Petzl climbing helmet and a purple and grey DMM climbing harness.

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I offer multilingual sports communications services that help you write the best SEO articles and product descriptions for your target market. We can even arrange a cultural briefing if you’re looking to enter a new market. Get in touch today!

A photo of Marjolein Thickett's 4-year-old daughter at the bottom of a 15-metre limestone crag in the Lake District.

English (UK)