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July 28, 2023
Green Sports Alliance (GSA), an environmental and social impact-focused organization, has released its latest Play to Zero Playbook, Building for the Next Generation. The guide showcases an innovative approach to constructing and renovating sports and entertainment venues with a commitment to sustainability.
According to GSA, there are more than 25 new sports and entertainment venues being designed or constructed in the US with 52 major venues have been built over the last six years. Additionally, an estimated $1.5 billion worth of renovation projects have been recently announced. Buildings and construction account for 37% of global energy and process-related carbon emissions and more than 34% of global energy demand.
Although venues have already taken steps to achieve net-zero energy, zero waste and 100% water balance, the playbook intends to provide a blueprint for the whole sector to take on board, which could ultimately “transform our relationship with the planet.”
“Every team, venue and league must make sustainability a strategic business priority. The risk of not doing so is simply too great to ignore. By investing in sustainability, sports can play a leading role in our battle against climate change. We can protect the future of our industry and communities by seizing opportunities to be more efficient and meaningfully engage our fans, communities and corporate partners,” states the playbook.
The guide was collaboratively designed by a group who focuses on the benefits of sustainable building design which addresses how design choices and climate considerations can benefit the environment and communities. It consists of resources and case studies for sports and entertainment industry leaders to adopt in order to create a more sustainable, resilient and responsible ecosystem for future generations of fans, players and operators.
One stongly encouraged case study demonstrates modern sustainability partnership. This is the Pittsburgh Penguins Pledge, a sustainability initiative announced by the NHL team in April. The pledge has a goal of reducing negative impacts on the environment and promoting sustainable practices to help preserve natural resources, while also supporting economic and social development.
The “eco-conscious construction and retrofitting manual” seeks to redefine the future of building sports and entertainment structures. It resolves around five key points, which each outline critical ideas and strategies to embed sustainability into the fabric of these projects. These include: Green Venues are Good Investments, Commit Early to Excellence, Ensure Maximum Benefit to Communities, Build for Our Future and Measure, Adapt and Monitor.
“Now more than ever, the need to prioritize environmental and human health within our buildings, organizations and communities is abundantly clear. We are at a pivotal moment for the sports industry to be at the forefront of this leadership and accelerating positive change – moving from awareness into action!” said Carlie Bullock-Jones, GSA board member and Founder and Principal of EcoWorks Studio.
Contributors of the playbook include Populous, McKinstry, HOK, Gensler, Viridis Initiative, Aptim/Sustainable Sport Index, RWDI, EcoWorks Studio, CheckSammy, and CES Power.
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