Measuring the environmental cost of mega sporting events

This paper examines two quantitative approaches, Ecological Footprint analysis and Environmental Input–Output modelling, for assessing selected environmental impacts associated with major sporting events. Sport event organizers face pressures to measure and reduce the environmental impacts of mega-events such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. It is therefore critical to evaluate practical tools capable of quantifying environmental externalities linked to event-related consumption, especially travel, infrastructure, and resource use.

The authors use two case studies from the UK to demonstrate and compare the two methods. Ecological Footprint analysis was applied to the 2004 FA Cup Final to estimate the global ecological impacts of visitor consumption, while Environmental Input–Output modelling was applied to the 2004 Wales Rally GB to estimate direct and indirect environmental effects associated with event-related economic activity.

The FA Cup Final analysis showed that spectator travel was the largest contributor to environmental impact, accounting for over half of the event’s Ecological Footprint, and that attending the event generated impacts far greater than normal daily activities. The Wales Rally GB analysis similarly found that spectator travel and supply-chain activities generated substantial carbon emissions, while also demonstrating that Environmental Input–Output modelling can identify which industries contribute most to environmental externalities.

Quantitative environmental assessment tools can help sport organizations identify the most environmentally damaging aspects of events and support more informed sustainability strategies, although both approaches remain partial, data-intensive, and methodologically limited when applied to mega-events.

CITE: Collins, A., Jones, C., & Munday, M. (2009). Assessing the environmental impacts of mega sporting events: Two options?. Tourism management, 30(6), 828-837. DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2008.12.006