NHL taking the lead on fighting climate change in hockey

The National Hockey League (NHL) has launched its second report into how the game can increase its sustainability efforts and reduce the threats from a changing climate.

The NHL has worked with clubs, fans and partners to focus on the environmental issues which are most impacting the sport and how it can help. It states from the outset that “hockey was born on frozen ponds – climate change is impacting access to our sport outdoors”.

“Hockey depends on a healthy natural environment and, like most sports, it is resource-intensive”, the report reads.

Since its first sustainability report was released in 2014, the league has made significant inroads into changing the sport, including: diverting 32 percent of waste from landfill; reducing overall carbon emissions by 7,000 metric tonnes, and purchasing 963,200 megawatt hours of renewable energy credits.

Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, commented: “We have achieved great progress toward our sustainability strategy and goals. We’re working with our clubs to reduce our environmental impact through innovation”.

“We, the NHL, are dedicated to transforming the hockey industry, embedding sustainability in the game at all levels”.

The new document sets out how the NHL seeks to build on this success. Along with increasing targets in key areas of energy, waste and water, the league will work closer with fans and communities to affect change. It hopes at least one player at each of 31 clubs will become a ‘Green Ambassador’ and will encourage environmental volunteering within local communities.

“Environmental sustainability is important to the economic viability of the game by helping rinks around the world to stay open by lower energy consumption and new solutions, we can protect, and increase, access to hockey”, added Bettman.

The report was launched as part of NHL Green, a month-long campaign from the organisation to raise awareness on sustainability issues.

 

Climate Action is hosting the 3rd Sustainable Innovation in Sport Forum on 2-3 May at the Amsterdam ArenA in the Netherlands. To find out more, visit the Sustainable Innovation in Sport website.