Happy #EarthDay: How Green Initiatives are Shaping Sports Worldwide

Did you know that IPL generated over 16 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in its 17th season alone? The season of glamour and cricket is back with the onset of IPL 2025. We all know the immense popularity of IPL and the unparalleled impact it has on the sports and entertainment landscape. But beyond being the richest and most-watched cricket tournament in the world, IPL is now stepping up to serve a greater cause: environmental sustainability. 

Cricket's most electrifying tournament is just one of the sports moving from being just a mere sporting spectacle into a powerful platform for environmental action and sustainability. This move sets new benchmarks for sustainability in sports, spurring action worldwide. 

Lets dive into the blog to know more about cricket’s and other sports’ green initiatives. 

The Green Push for Sustainable Sports 

Sports worldwide have been embracing sustainability since the early 2000s, with organizations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since 1994 to promote eco-friendly practices UNEP-IOC Partnership. The momentum is building toward a net-zero emissions future, ensuring sports retain their thrill while becoming more environmentally responsible. 

As climate change concerns intensify, major sporting events are intensifying efforts to lessen their ecological footprint. A single IPL match generates between 10,000 to 14,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), with the biggest contributors being travel, energy use, water consumption, and waste. Acknowledging such impact, sports in 2025 are rolling out innovative sustainability measures to foster a greener legacy, from renewable energy adoption to waste reduction 

Water Conservation in Cricket 

Maintaining a cricket stadium requires 270,000–300,000 liters of water per week to keep the pitch in good condition. During India’s scorching summers, this demand rises, putting pressure on already scarce water resources. 

A prime example of this initiative is Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which has significantly improved its water conservation practices. For the IPL 2025 season, the stadium requires approximately 75,000 liters of water daily for pitch maintenance, cleaning, and spectator facilities.  

To meet this demand sustainably, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) partnered with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to use treated wastewater from the Cubbon Park Waste Water Treatment Plant, reducing its dependence on freshwater sources.  

Additionally, the stadium operates an on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) capable of treating 150,000 liters of wastewater daily, which is then reused for irrigation, cleaning, and pitch maintenance. 

Football’s Eco-Champion: Forest Green Rovers 

Across the pond in England, Forest Green Rovers—crowned the world’s greenest football club by FIFA in 2017—is turning waste into wins. In the 2022-2023 season, they teamed up with Dutch water management experts Nijhuis Saur Industries to tackle water conservation head-on.

Taking inspiration from space missions, this closed-loop system treats wastewater from urinals at The New Lawn stadium, transforming it into irrigation water and fertilizer for the pitch. Powered by wind and solar from Ecotricity, and with plans for a stunning 5,000-seat wooden Eco Park stadium, they’re showing football can kick carbon footprints to the curb. 

Tennis Serves Up Sustainability: Wimbledon’s Water Play 

Wimbledon, the grand dame of tennis, isn’t just about strawberries and cream—it’s acing sustainability too. Since joining the UN’s Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2018, the All England Lawn Tennis Club has been harvesting rainwater. This water gets recycled into advanced irrigation systems, keeping those iconic grass courts lush with minimal waste.

Hosting 500,000 fans over two weeks, Wimbledon balances big crowds with smart water use, proving even the poshest tournaments can go green.  

Olympic Gold in Green: Paris 2024’s River Cool Move 

The 2024 Paris Olympics aimed for the ultimate prize: being the first carbon-neutral Games. How? By tapping into the Seine River with a district cooling system that chills Olympic buildings using river water. This closed-loop setup returns water within five degrees of its original temp to protect river life, saving precious drinking water for other uses. With 95% of venues being existing or temporary and 80% of food sourced locally, Paris showed how mega-events can shrink their eco-impact. Dive deeper into their sustainability story here. 

Marketing Opportunities: Aligning Brands with Sustainability 

Sustainability isn’t just a moral responsibility—it’s a marketing goldmine. Brands aligning with green initiatives can enhance reputation, appeal to eco-conscious consumers, and drive innovative campaigns. 

Green Sponsorships 

Companies can align with sports’ sustainability goals by sponsoring renewable energy installations, water conservation projects, or waste management initiatives at stadiums. A great example of this is Rayzon Solar, a Gujarat-based solar panel manufacturer, which has extended its partnership with Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 to promote renewable energy solutions. 

Eco-Friendly Merchandise 

Brands can produce sustainable merchandise, such as biodegradable fan gear, recycled apparel, and reusable drinkware, reducing plastic waste. For instance - The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced the launch of their new jersey that is made out of biodegradable materials, alongside their innovative environmental initiative called ‘Runs to Roots,’ reinforcing the team's commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. 

Fan initiatives 

A great example of this is RCB’s "Go Green" initiative, which actively encourages fans to adopt sustainable practices such as reducing waste, conserving water, and promoting environmental awareness. Beyond fan engagement, RCB has taken significant steps toward sustainability, including the restoration of three lakes in Karnataka—Ittgalpura, Sadenahalli, and Kannur Lake.

Carbon Offset Programs 

A strong example of carbon offset programs is Rajasthan Royals' partnership with Luminous Power Technologies, which has been strengthened for IPL 2025 as their Title Partner. One of the key initiatives under this partnership focuses on training rural women to become solar engineers and encouraging the use of solar power in local communities. By combining renewable energy advocacy with social empowerment, this initiative highlights how sports and corporate alliances can drive meaningful change. 

Sustainability and CSR Initiatives  

IPL 2025 is setting new benchmarks in sustainability, offering brands a chance to enhance their CSR efforts while engaging eco-conscious fans. A key initiative is the green tree dot symbol, where BCCI, in partnership with Tata Group, pledged to plant 500 trees for every dot ball bowled, reinforcing environmental awareness. 

Additionally, brands can align with such efforts by supporting zero-waste policies, sponsoring recycling stations, or promoting compostable packaging at stadiums. These collaborations not only contribute to IPL’s green goals but also boost brand loyalty among sustainability-driven

consumers. By integrating sustainability into their IPL engagements, brands can leave a lasting impact beyond the tournament. 

Why Brands Should Invest in Sustainability 

Brands that embrace sustainability in their brand partnerships gain significant advantages: 

• Increased Sales & Brand Lift: Studies show that 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products, boosting revenue and brand value. 

• Stronger Appeal to Gen Z & Millennials: Younger audiences prioritize ethical and sustainable brands, making green initiatives a key driver of engagement. 

• Long-Term Customer Loyalty & Positive Public Perception: Sustainability builds trust and credibility, with 77% of businesses reporting that eco-conscious initiatives lead to increased customer loyalty. 

The 2025 edition of IPL serves as a model for large-scale sporting events worldwide. It also demonstrates how sports organizations can lead climate action while maintaining commercial success. 

Some other examples of global sports moving toward sustainability include: 

Formula 1’s Net Zero Initiative 

Formula 1 aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, targeting its annual 256,000-tonne CO2 footprint. By 2026, cars will use 100% sustainable fuels, while logistics shift to biofuel-powered transport—Mercedes saved 339 tonnes of CO2e in 2023’s European leg. Grand Prix events will be sustainable by 2025, using renewables and eliminating single-use plastics, attracting eco-focused sponsors like Aramco and Siemens. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics 

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) crafted 5,000 medals from recycled e-waste and used 3D-printed podiums from household plastics. The torch incorporated aluminum from 2011 tsunami shelters, and transport featured hydrogen vehicles. Offsetting 2.73 million tonnes of CO2e with 4.38 million tonnes of credits, Tokyo achieved carbon negativity, earning global recognition despite some critique over new venues. 

Premier League & Sky Sports’ “Game Zero” 

In 2021, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea played the first net-zero carbon elite football match. Powered by renewables, fueled by biodiesel coaches, and serving local, plant-based food, emissions were minimized and offset via reforestation. This set a sustainability standard for football, led by Tottenham and Sky’s 2030 net-zero ambitions. 

Join the Green Revolution 

As sustainability takes center stage, sports organizations are integrating eco-friendly initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. While the IPL is leading the way, it’s just an indication of the future of more responsible and sustainable sporting events.

Whether you're a team owner, sponsor, player, or fan, your choices play a role in shaping a greener future for sports. Zupotsu is pioneering sustainable sports marketing, helping brands align with eco-conscious initiatives that drive impact. By connecting brands, sports organizations, and sustainability-driven campaigns,it enables companies to enhance their brand value while making a real difference.  

Zupotsu is a martech platform on a mission to ‘digitize’ sports marketing. Zupotsu enables the discovery, engagement, and evaluation (the ‘DEE’ framework) for every sports and esports marketing asset. Please sign up at www.zupotsu.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Reach out at ‘marketing@zupotsu.com’ for any queries.