How will climate change impacts and mitigations affect sport and recreation? 

What are we seeing?  

• The past decade was the hottest on record, with 2023 being the warmest year in 125,000 years. Temperatures have surpassed the 1.5°C threshold, driving extreme weather events, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise. 
• Climate change threatens health and economy, but renewable energy and electric vehicles are growing, providing mitigation. Billion-dollar extreme weather events are increasing, but solutions are emerging. 
• Despite progress, emissions growth is only slowing, not reversing. New Zealand, with high per capita emissions, must address its agriculture and transport sectors to effectively combat climate change. 

What can we expect?  

• Even with Paris Agreement compliance and clean energy deployment, temperatures will continue to rise, causing more frequent and severe heat waves, floods, and extreme weather events. 
• The number of billion-dollar natural disasters will continue to rise, with insurers already pricing in a new normal of higher frequency and more extreme events, making insurance unavailable in many situations. 
• Many economies, including New Zealand, remain largely unprepared for these climate impacts, which could overwhelm societies' collective ability to adapt, disproportionately affecting regions without the resources to respond.  

What might this mean for sport and recreation?  

• Extreme weather events will increase cancellations, damage facilities and playing fields, and make some outdoor activities less safe and enjoyable. 
• Access to insurance for sports events will become increasingly difficult, and the choice of sport and recreation activities will be dictated by emerging weather patterns. 
• Sport and recreation organisations will be expected to embrace sustainable practices, reduce carbon footprints, and achieve nature-positive outcomes. 

What questions should we be asking ourselves today?  

• What incentives can drive sport and recreation to reduce impact and embrace sustainable event formats? How can hosting shift to use pre-existing, clean infrastructure? 
• How can sustainability metrics and partnerships drive more eco-friendly sport and recreation practices and sponsorships? 
• How can sport and recreation go beyond net zero, prepare for climate-conscious athletes, and adapt to extreme weather impacts?