Cricket: Let’s bat for the planet, and score a win for sustainability

The UN Sports for Climate Action Framework is a collaborative initiative that aims to bring together sports organizations and athletes from around the world to take action on climate change. Cricket is not explicitly mentioned as a sport that is part of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

What does the framework emphasis?

Through the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, sports organizations are encouraged to support the Paris Agreement (reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels) and take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. By committing to Paris Agreement, sports organizations can help to address global climate crisis and promote sustainable practices within the industry and beyond.

However, that does not mean that cricket cannot be part of the initiative?

The framework is open to all sports and sports organizations that are willing to commit to taking action on climate change. So, cricket and cricket organizations can participate and take action on climate change, even if it is not explicitly mentioned in the framework.

So, What is a Carbon Cost?

The carbon cost refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, typically measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), that are generated from various activities. In a sporting event like Cricket these may include emissions from transportation of players, officials and spectators, energy consumption for lighting, cooling of the venue, and waste generation, water consumption and other factors such as merchandise materials, food supply chain and infrastructure.

What is the carbon footprint of a cricket match?

The carbon footprint of a sporting event can vary widely depending on various factors such as the size and location of the event, the number of participants and spectators, and the mode of transportation used by them. A study conducted by the International Council for Sustainable Sports estimated that the average carbon footprint of a sports event is around 19.5 tonnes of CO2e per event.

As per report from Cbalance in 2010, the total carbon footprint of DLF IPL 2010 was estimated to be 42,264 tons CO2e.

Indian Premier League (IPL) has become synonymous to Cricket. IPL 2023, 16th edition, spans across 52 days with 70 league matches across 12 venues. What could be the carbon footprint from a single IPL match? Would it affect the country’s net-zero targets in anyway or could we adopt sustainable practices before its late?

Source: Sportskeeda

Let us take an example. Calculating the exact carbon footprint for a single IPL match involving two teams, Chennai and Delhi teams is challenging due to the many variables involved. However, an estimate based on typical values and assumptions.

Assumptions/Approximations:

• The match takes place in Chennai at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium.
• The Delhi Capitals team travels by air from Delhi to Chennai, a distance of around 1,750 km.
• There are approximately 40,000 spectators in attendance.
• The energy consumption of the stadium, including lighting and cooling, is around 500 kWh.

Using these assumptions, we can estimate the carbon footprint of the match as follows:

1. Travel emissions: The carbon footprint of the air travel for the Delhi Capitals team can be calculated using an online carbon calculator. For a one-way flight of 1,750 km, the emissions would be around 0.45 tonnes of CO2e. For a round trip, this would be 0.9 tonnes of CO2e.
2. Spectator emissions: The carbon footprint of the spectators can also be calculated using an online carbon calculator. Assuming an average travel distance of 10 km per spectator (to and from the stadium), and an average car occupancy of 3 people per vehicle, the emissions per spectator would be around 0.4 kg of CO2e. For 40,000 spectators, this would be around 25 tonnes of CO2e.
3. Stadium emissions: The energy consumption of the stadium is around 500 kWh. Assuming an emissions factor of 0.5 kg CO2e per kWh of grid electricity, the emissions would be around 0.25 tonnes of CO2e.

Total carbon footprint: Adding up the emissions from travel, spectators, and stadium, the estimated carbon footprint of the Chennai vs Delhi IPL match would be around 25.15 tonnes of CO2e.

Please note that this is just an approximation, and the actual carbon footprint of the match could be higher or lower depending on various factors, such as the size of the stadium, number of players, and the mode of transportation used by the spectators. Diesel Generator’s fuel consumption for floodlights, cooking fuel, water, waste water treatment plants, hotels, pesticides and fertilizers for ground maintenance are considered to use increase the carbon footprint apart from TV/App broadcasters, respective state’s cricket associations venues, F&B within the stadiums. Other factors, such as water consumption, waste generation, and ecological impacts of the venue, also contribute to the event’s environmental footprint.

Why reducing carbon footprint is important in a sporting event?

Reducing the carbon footprint of sporting events is an important step towards achieving environmental sustainability and mitigating the impacts of climate change that brings in corporate, social and economic responsibility alongside cutting down GHG emissions, climate change and environmental impact.

What are the solutions to reduce the carbon footprint?

1. Transportation: Encourage the use of public transportation, such as buses, trains, and subways, to reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road. Providing shuttle services from nearby cities and airports to the venue can also help reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
2. Efficient energy saving light system: Use energy-efficient lighting and cooling systems in the venues and promote energy conservation practices.
3. Waste reduction: Implement a comprehensive waste management plan, including collecting, segregating and composting, to minimize the amount of waste generated by the event. Provide recycling bins throughout the venue and encourage spectators to dispose of their waste properly. E-Vehicles could be used for transportation of waste
4. Renewable source of energy: Install solar panels to power the venues and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
5. Local food: Offer sustainable and locally sourced food and beverage options to reduce the carbon footprint of the event’s food supply chain.
6. Carbon offset: Offset the carbon emissions generated by the event by investing in renewable energy projects initiatives. This can help mitigate the impact of the event on the environment.

With 13th edition of One Day International World Cup round the corner and India is going to host, which is home of 53 stadiums (with 25 in operational), billion plus spectators, 35 days of event, it is high time, the sporting management takes a right step in path to reduce the carbon emissions to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change.

Update:

With 17th edition of Indian Premier League beginning on 22 March 2024 until 26 May(most likely), across 12 stadiums, billion plus spectators, 74 matches, ~100+ flight travels across multiple cities, ~60 days of event, it is high time, all the IPL teams’ management takes a right step in path to reduce the carbon emissions to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change.

Saving the planet is not a spectator sport. We all need to get in the game.

Every run, every wicket, every cheer, every roar — every action in the Cricket (IPL, World Cup) has a carbon footprint. Let’s play for the planet and keep our emissions in check.