up to 2030.101 Sustainable sporting infrastructure must move beyond iconic or event-driven design to prioritize long-term social value, adaptability and environmental performance. These facilities should serve as multi-purpose community hubs supporting diverse users year-round. Construction is among the most carbon-intensive sectors, and achieving net- zero trajectories will require technology innovations yet to reach commercial scale. Sport organizations and infrastructure developers can help catalyse these markets by participating in collaborative demand-side initiatives such as the First Movers Coalition (FMC), which commits to sourcing low-carbon construction materials, by helping to create early market demand and accelerate the commercialization of solutions for hard-to-abate sectors. Current FMC commitments generate a $19 billion annual demand signal and support potential reductions of 26 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030. As climate risks intensify – amplified by urban heat island effects that cause built environments to heat up nearly 30% faster than surrounding areas102 – climate-resilient infrastructure will become essential to safeguard athlete well-being and ensure operational continuity. This risk is already evident: 10 of the 16 host venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America face very high exposure to extreme heat stress, nearly 90% of host stadiums will require adaptation measures and one-third are projected to experience water demand that meets or exceeds supply by 2050.103 In response, integrating nature-based solutions such as heat- reflective surfaces, green roofs and vertical gardens that support local biodiversity will be critical to cooling venues, reducing risk and maintaining performance conditions. In addition to safeguarding sporting operations, climate-resilient infrastructure can function as vital community lifelines during extreme events, offering shelter, cooling and flood mitigation when natural disasters strike. Innovatively integrating physical activity into everyday environments beyond conventional sport venues expands opportunities for citizens to lead more active lives. Initiatives such as mall- walking programmes in Riyadh104 and Bahrain105 demonstrate how high-footfall spaces can be repurposed to promote inclusive physical activity, particularly in climates where outdoor exercise is constrained. Equally important is community co- design, which ensures that infrastructure reflects local needs, builds legitimacy and supports long-term viability. The Paris 2024 legacy approach illustrates how inclusive planning can deliver highly accessible neighbourhoods106 and facilities for participants and spectators107 that remain functional and valuable well beyond major events. 3Advance sustainable mobility Mobility is a defining interface between cities, sport and climate impact. The movement of athletes, spectators, tourists and urban residents represents a significant portion of the sports economy’s emissions profile. Transport strategies must address both mega-events and everyday mobility patterns. Aviation emissions represent a substantial share of sport-related travel. During FIFA World Cup 2022, international air travel accounted for 57% of total event-related emissions,108 highlighting the urgency of coordinated action. While the development of sustainable aviation technologies is typically led by fuel producers, airlines and equipment manufacturers, airports serve as critical urban levers for accelerating the deployment of low-emission solutions, including hydrogen, electric propulsion and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Collaboration among airports in cities seeking to scale sustainable sporting events and tourism, supported by global initiatives such as Airports of Tomorrow , can accelerate this transition through coordinated action and shared investment. This collective approach strengthens airport readiness for low-emission infrastructure and technologies, enabling impact at a scale that no single city could achieve independently. Beyond aviation, transforming spectator mobility depends on strengthening sustainable public transport systems through public–private collaboration. For EURO 2024, UEFA’s partnership with Deutsche Bahn to offer free public transport and discounted inter-city travel to ticket holders resulted in 81% of attendees using public transit and a 25% reduction in travel emissions compared to previous tournaments.109 Similar gains are possible elsewhere: modelling suggests that travel emissions in the English Premier League (EPL) could decrease by 34% if only attendees travelling more than 250 miles used personal vehicles, while the National Football League (NFL) could reduce emissions by up to 30% by shifting towards transport mix of to the EPL (25% car usage). Climate-resilient infrastructure can function as vital community lifelines during extreme events, offering shelter, cooling and flood mitigation when natural disasters strike. Sports for People and Planet 28

Sports for People and Planet 2026