Craig Simmons has advised several major sporting events on sustainability including the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Olympics. He identifies 5 "megatrends" from these events that can help sports deliver on sustainability: 1) Minimize new construction by using temporary or existing structures; 2) Take events to spectators instead of vice versa to reduce energy use; 3) Build a genuine low-impact environmental legacy with benefits like improved energy and water systems; 4) Educate audiences to change behaviors and understand priorities; 5) Showcase innovations to drive economic and social benefits like new jobs and products. Sustainability offers both risks to mitigate and opportunities for events through reduced costs, better community relations, and compliance with regulations.

1. Sustainability and Sport
from Sydney to Sochi
(five mega-trends)
Craig Simmons
Chief Technical Advisor
Founding Member, Anthesis Consulting Group
Co-Founder, Best Foot Forward
craig.simmons@bestfootforward.com
@thefootprinter
www.bestfootforward.com

2. My Experience
BFF have provided sustainability advice to:
• London 2012
• Sochi 2014
• 34th America’s Cup
• Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup
• Doha 2020 Olympic bid
• England 2018 FIFA World Cup bid
• Chicago 2016 Olympic bid
plus numerous other smaller events

3. Many smaller events
Forestry Commission
Event Guidelines
GLA Event Guidance
San Sebastian Film Festival

4. Transatlantic crossing under sail – 24th Nov
theflounderingfootprinter.blogspot.co.uk
Fundraising for Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

5. Sustainability: The Global Context (MDG)

6. Rio + 20 The Future We Want
• UN currently consulting on a post-2015 Framework to
replace the Millennium Development Goals
SDG
• Kicked off at Rio +20 – the biggest UN conference ever
• Early days but key themes are more environmentallyfocused
"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way
that little else does."
– Nelson Mandela, the first democratically-elected president of South Africa.

7. Sport reaches into all corners of sustainability
Disasters
Jobs
Most of the positive and negative
Impacts captured as part of GRI
EOSS reporting.
Energy
Cities
Food
Water
Oceans

8. So how can sports help to deliver…?
Five ‘megatrends’ from World Class Events
(Sydney to Sochi) that may help.

9. MT1: Minimise new venue construction: use
temporary or reused structures instead
•
•
•
•
Lower cost
Less material use
Reduce low term economic risk
Better managed urban development
London 2012 Basketball Arena

11. MT1: Minimise new venue construction: use
temporary or reused structures instead
Lightweight recyclable walling
America’s Cup (2013) temporary conversion of port warehouse

12. MT1: Minimise new venue construction: use
temporary or reused structures instead
Different ownership models
Iceberg Skating Palace, Sochi 2014 – buildings built by private sector and temporarily leased to event organisers

13. MT2: Take the event to the people – not
the people to the event
•
•
•
•
Save energy
Improve social inclusion
Educational opportunities
High tech jobs
London 2012 Basketball Arena

14. MT2: Take the event to the people – not
the people to the event

16. MT3: Build a (genuinely) low impact
environmental legacy
• Better urban development
• Presents numerous opportunities;
• Energy, water, education, disaster resilience etc.
New Russian green building standards (Sochi 2014)
Newington (Sydney Olympic Village)

17. MT4: Change behaviours: systematically
educate your audience
• Numerous educational opportunities;
• environment, health and wellbeing
• Volunteering and community cohesion
Trend towards:
• A better understanding of what works. Monitoring etc.
• More cohesive messaging around priorities

18. MT5: Showcase innovations: be the change
• Economic benefits; jobs, new product markets
• Potential environment/social product & service benefits
• Reduction in poverty and related issues

19. Megatrends: Food for thought?
1. Minimise new venue construction: Instead utilise
temporary structures or reuse existing structures
2. Take the event to the people – not the people to
the event: Improve the experience for remote
spectators
3. Build a (genuinely) low impact environmental
legacy
4. Change behaviours: Systematically educate your
audience
5. Showcase innovations: Be the change

20. ENJOY THE DAY
Craig Simmons
Chief Technical Advisor
Founding Member,
Anthesis Consulting Group
Co-Founder, Best Foot Forward
craig.simmons@bestfootforward.com
@thefootprinter
www.bestfootforward.com
theflounderingfootprinter.blogspot.co.uk

22. Sustainability – risk and opportunity
Business value of sustainability for London 2012 $50m
Reduced Risk
Operational
Reputational
Regulatory
Supply Chain
Better staff
relations
Better media
relations
Compliance with
environmental
legislation
Less volatility
Lower energy &
material
costs
Better
organiser/sponsor
relations
Lower
compensation
costs
Promotes green
innovation
Less wastage
National
credibility
Market
opportunities?
More beneficial
legacy