Nature Sportified Series Kicks off with IOC and Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

“We are heading towards scenarios that won’t allow sport as we know it.”

With this stark warning, Ali Raza Rizvi, IUCN’s Global Head of Climate Change & Energy Transition, opened the first Nature Sportified webinar— part of a new series spotlighting how sport and nature conservation can work hand in hand.

The session, titled “Nature: Sport’s ally in tackling the climate crisis”, brought together influential voices from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to share how their organisations are transforming sport into a force for nature.

Lise van Long, IOC’s Corporate Sustainability Senior Manager, detailed the Olympic Movement’s three-fold strategy: walking the talk as an organisation, leading by example through the Games, and guiding the broader Olympic movement. The IOC has reduced emissions by nearly 50% since 2016, thanks, in part, to an internal carbon budget and revamped procurement practices that spotlight climate and nature risks across its supply chain.

Van Long also showcased the nature-forward approach of Paris 2024, which cut its carbon footprint in half by repurposing venues, prioritising renewables, and promoting sustainable transport. But the commitment didn’t stop there: over 1,700 trees were safeguarded, six kilometres of habitat protected, and soil equivalent to 20 rugby pitches preserved.

Through its Olympic Forest project—part of Africa’s Great Green Wall—the IOC is also investing in reforestation with social and economic benefits, while also co-chairing the Sports for Nature Framework’s Procurement Working Group and developing sustainable sourcing fact sheets focused on various materials and products used in sports, from catering to equipment.

Marcus Parry, Sustainability Manager at Tottenham Hotspur, shared how the Premier League team is championing nature and climate action. At the club’s training ground, bird song and pollinator monitors are capturing real-time biodiversity data—and player curiosity. This tech-driven conservation effort is just one way Spurs are weaving sustainability into their culture.

The club, which regularly hosts NFL games, rugby, and concerts at its stadium, is using its platform to reach diverse audiences. From vegan food at every kiosk to plant-based desserts and 100% renewable energy, sustainability is part of the fan experience. Spurs aim to be net zero by 2040 and instil green thinking across the organisation through sustainability training as part of employee induction programmes.

Parry also touched on the club’s broader role in regenerating North London, working with the local council and the Mayor of London to deliver environmental and community benefits far beyond the touchline.

The webinar also marked the launch of Nature Action: Sport’s Best Offense and Defense Against the Climate Crisis, a new paper from the Sports for Nature team. The paper explores the deep links between nature, climate and sport—how sport is both vulnerable to and capable of tackling the crises. It highlights key threats like land use, pollution and resource consumption, and offers actionable insights for the sporting world.

The webinar recording and all the supporting resources are available here.