Can Hawaiʻi Tackle Football’s Massive Carbon Footprint? – Honolulu Civil Beat

Report on the Carbon Footprint of Major Sporting Events and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: The Environmental Impact of Sports and the Imperative for Climate Action

Major sporting events, while culturally significant, generate substantial carbon emissions, primarily through air travel. This presents a direct challenge to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13: Climate Action. Organizations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and collegiate athletic departments are increasingly being scrutinized for their environmental impact, necessitating a strategic shift towards sustainable practices. This report analyzes the carbon footprint associated with sports-related travel, using the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) athletics program as a case study, and examines broader industry efforts to align with global sustainability targets.

2.0 Case Study: University of Hawaiʻi Athletics and Localized Climate Challenges

2.1 Quantifying the Carbon Footprint

The geographical isolation of the University of Hawaiʻi athletics program results in an unavoidably large carbon footprint from air travel, highlighting a critical issue in the context of SDG 13. An analysis of the team’s travel reveals significant emissions:

• A single away game against the UNLV Raiders produced an estimated 122,732 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
• Travel for the 2025 football season by visiting and home teams is projected to generate approximately 1.5 million kilograms of CO2, equivalent to the annual electricity emissions of 400 homes on Oʻahu.

2.2 State-Level Decarbonization and SDG 9

The emissions from UH sports exist within a broader context of state-level environmental policy. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is mandated to decarbonize the state’s transportation sector by 2045. However, aviation presents a significant technological and logistical hurdle. This challenge underscores the need for progress on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which calls for building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation to address such complex environmental problems.

3.0 Global Initiatives and Best Practices in Sustainable Sports

3.1 The International Olympic Committee’s Climate Strategy

The IOC has established a framework for integrating sustainability into its operations, demonstrating a commitment to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action. Key initiatives include:

1. Emissions Reduction Targets: A goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
2. Sustainable Event Management: The Paris 2024 Olympics serve as a model, featuring practices such as:
   • Exclusive use of renewable energy.
   • Reliance on existing venues to minimize construction-related emissions.
   • Deployment of low-carbon transportation (electric, hybrid, hydrogen vehicles) for athletes.
   • Development of bicycle lanes to promote carbon-free spectator travel, contributing to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
3. Transparency: The IOC openly reports that air travel accounts for 61% of its corporate carbon footprint, acknowledging the primary challenge that needs to be addressed.

3.2 Academic Insights on Sports Expansion

Research from institutions like the University of Michigan highlights a conflict between the commercial expansion of sports leagues and environmental sustainability. A study on the Big 10 Conference’s expansion found that the inclusion of West Coast teams would more than double the carbon emissions from the University of Michigan football team’s travel. This data provides a critical lens for evaluating how organizational decisions impact progress toward SDG 13.

4.0 Pathways to Mitigation and Future Outlook

4.1 Technological and Policy Solutions

Addressing the aviation emissions inherent in sports requires a multi-faceted approach centered on innovation and policy, directly supporting SDG 9 and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Key strategies include:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Promoting the development and adoption of lower-carbon biofuels as a replacement for traditional jet fuel.
• Policy Incentives: The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has proposed tax incentives to encourage local SAF refinement.
• Sustainable Infrastructure: Enhancing airport sustainability through the increased use of electric ground support vehicles and the installation of EV charging stations.

4.2 Conclusion: Integrating Sports into the Global Sustainability Agenda

The sports industry is at a critical juncture where its significant environmental impact can no longer be overlooked. By using its global platform, the sector can serve as a catalyst for change. For organizations like the University of Hawaiʻi and governing bodies like the IOC, aligning operational strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), is not only an environmental responsibility but also an opportunity to lead in fostering a sustainable future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to environmental sustainability, climate change, and the impact of human activities, specifically large-scale sports events. The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are connected to these themes:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: This is the most central SDG in the article. The entire discussion revolves around the “massive carbon footprint” of sports-related air travel, the measurement of carbon dioxide emissions (e.g., “122,732 kilograms of carbon dioxide”), and the urgent need to reduce these emissions to combat climate change. The article highlights efforts by organizations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to set emission reduction targets and Hawaiʻi’s state-level policy to “decarbonize transportation.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article touches upon sustainable transport systems and the environmental impact of activities centered in urban areas. It mentions solutions implemented for the Paris Olympics, such as building bike lanes for visitors and using electric vehicles, which are key components of creating sustainable transportation within communities. It also discusses making airports more sustainable by adding electric support vehicles.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The solutions proposed and implemented to tackle the carbon emissions from sports events are directly linked to clean energy. The article explicitly states that the “2024 Paris Olympics were powered entirely with renewable energy” and used biofuels or hydrogen where generators were needed. The push for “sustainable aviation fuel” is a core strategy for transitioning the aviation sector to cleaner energy sources.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This goal is relevant through the lens of resource efficiency and waste reduction. The article notes that the IOC’s strategy for the Paris Olympics included using “existing venues to cut construction-related emissions.” This practice promotes a sustainable production model by reducing the need for new resource-intensive construction, thereby minimizing waste and environmental impact.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues and solutions discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article directly references this target by discussing the “legal settlement requiring the state to decarbonize transportation in Hawaiʻi entirely by 2045.” This is a clear example of a state-level strategy to integrate climate action into its transportation policy. Similarly, the IOC’s announcement of “goals to reduce emissions related to the Olympic Games by 50% by 2030” represents an organizational strategy integrating climate measures.
• Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The article highlights efforts to create sustainable transport options for a specific population (attendees and athletes at the Olympics). The mention of building “bike lanes were built for visitors so they could ride carbon-free to venues” and ferrying athletes in “electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles” directly aligns with promoting sustainable transport systems.
• Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article provides a concrete example of this target in action, stating that the “2024 Paris Olympics were powered entirely with renewable energy.” The call by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation for incentives to “refine more bio-jet fuel locally” also supports increasing the share of renewable energy in the aviation fuel mix.
• Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The decision by Olympic organizers to use “existing venues to cut construction-related emissions” is a direct application of this target. It focuses on waste prevention and resource reduction by reusing infrastructure rather than engaging in new construction.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Carbon Emissions (SDG 13): The article provides specific metrics for carbon emissions, which serve as direct indicators.
  • The estimated “122,732 kilograms of carbon dioxide” for a single University of Hawaiʻi football team’s air travel.
  • The total estimated “1.5 million kilograms of CO2” for all football teams traveling to and from Hawaiʻi in 2025.
  • The IOC’s stated goal to “reduce emissions… by 50% by 2030” is a measurable indicator of progress.
  • The statistic that air travel accounts for “about 61% of its [IOC’s] corporate carbon footprint” is an indicator used to identify and track the largest sources of emissions.
• Indicator for Renewable Energy Share (SDG 7): The article provides a clear, albeit event-specific, indicator.
  • The fact that the Paris Olympics were “powered entirely with renewable energy” serves as an indicator of achieving a 100% renewable energy share for a major event.
• Indicator for Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 12): The article implies an indicator for resource efficiency.
  • The number or percentage of “existing venues” used for an event versus newly constructed ones can serve as an indicator for measuring waste reduction and sustainable production patterns.
• Indicator for Sustainable Transport (SDG 11): The article points to tangible infrastructure and fleet changes.
  • The construction of “bike lanes” and the deployment of “electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles” are physical indicators of a shift towards sustainable transport systems for events.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: civilbeat.org