Assessing Sustainable Practices in Sports: Insights from Christian Hartmann, Founder of Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports
"The realm of ESG analysis in sports is still in its developmental stage"
The sports sector is playing catch-up when it comes to measuring environmental impact, according to Christian Hartmann, CEO of Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports (GSBS). His organization scrutinizes the sustainability performance of sports entities, from individual clubs to leagues like Formula E and UEFA.
Amidst the excitement of the upcoming Champions League final, often overlooked is the carbon footprint generated by fans traveling to large-scale events. Hartmann contends that fan mobilization, via train, car, or air travel, contributes significantly to the sports industry's carbon footprint.
Launched in London in 2020, GSBS evaluates over 1,700 data points per club, including a club's sustainability strategy, risk management, and performance across the ESG pillars of environment, social, and governance. These evaluations culminate in a score of 0-100%, with the German Football League (DFL) and Borussia Dortmund leading the charge with rankings of 80% and 96%, respectively, by 2024.
The data landscape varies globally, presenting challenges in regions like the United States where sustainability initiatives face political opposition, and data disclosures are optional. Hartmann highlights the lack of political support as a hindrance to progress.
Awareness of the economic importance of sustainability data is lacking in many sports organizations, with some clubs unaware of their water consumption. Hartmann commends the DFL for taking a pioneering role in advocating for sustainability, with clubs required to present a sustainability framework starting from the 2023/24 season and providing independent verification from 2025/26.
This year, GSBS will include all 1st Bundesliga clubs in its report for the first time, with plans to expand coverage to other major leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga. The organization operates as a non-profit entity, offering its ratings free of charge to participating clubs in an effort to foster widespread participation.
GSBS aims to monetize and professionalize operations, exploring in-depth analyses for individual companies and anonymized evaluations for sponsors and insurers. Additionally, Hartmann seeks to increase the number of clubs analyzed while driving competition and inspiring imitation through the publication of rankings.
In a broader context, the sports industry is becoming increasingly sustainable, with initiatives focused on energy, water, waste management, and greenhouse gas reduction. Leagues and organizations worldwide are adopting measures to reduce environmental impact and promote social equity, aligning with global sustainability goals.
- The advancements in technology can assist sports organizations in tracking their carbon footprint, such as the travel of fans, a significant contributor to the industry's overall footprint, as suggested by Christian Hartmann of Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports.
- As the sports industry embraces sustainability, adopting measures for energy, water, waste management, and greenhouse gas reduction, technology can play a crucial role in evaluating the sustainability performance of sports entities, like the German Football League (DFL) and Borussia Dortmund, according to Hartmann's organization Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports.
