By Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

Cleveland, OH ? Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home to the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers and AHL Cleveland Monsters has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for the venue?s proactive and progressive initiatives to help protect the health and safety of all those who visit. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is the first sports and entertainment venue in Ohio and the third nationally to achieve this rating.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is the second building rating that Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has received in recognition of protocols that have been put in place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In September it achieved the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was accredited for implementing the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in its facility.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future.

?The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored how critically important it is to prioritize health and safety in the spaces where we gather,? said Rick Fedrizzi, IWBI chairman and CEO. ?By achieving the WELL Health-Safety Rating, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has demonstrated incredible leadership in directly supporting the health, safety and overall well-being of players, fans and employees.?

To achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has worked closely with leading medical experts and local, state and national agencies and authorities to monitor the latest developments on COVID-19. In relation to this on-going focus, the venue has implemented appropriate new operational health protocols, processes and safety guidelines to help provide the safest environment and experience possible for staff and event attendees and participants.

This includes Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse?s air systems which are equipped with three technologies shown to be effective in killing or capturing viruses, pathogens and particulates: UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI), highly efficient filtration and bipolar ionization. The bipolar ionization system imparts a static charge to viruses, pathogens and particulates to attack them and reduce their ability to travel through the air.

Designed to empower owners and operators across large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps in order to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, visitors and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating helps guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

?As we prepare to re-open for Cavs and Monsters games, concerts and other events, we have been laser-focused on ensuring we have implemented a high-level of health and safety measures that instills confidence for everyone who walks into our building that their well-being is being protected to the best of our ability,? said Antony Bonavita, executive vice president of venue operations for Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. ?Earning the WELL Health-Safety seal of approval is a testament to our efforts in being responsible and doing the right things to open our doors again in the right way.?

The WELL Health-Safety Rating provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators. It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on COVID-19, in addition to guidance on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centers and emergency management agencies, as well as recognized standard-making associations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, and leading academic and research institutions, as well as core principles already established by IWBI?s WELL Building Standard, the premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating following the successful completion of third-party documentation review by GBCI to confirm it has met the feature specific intents and requirements.

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By NBA.com

WESTMINSTER, Colo., October 22, 2020 ? Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) today established a first-of-its-kind global partnership across three marquee venues in Denver, Los Angeles and London. The partnership was founded on a shared vision to advance sustainability in sports and entertainment by strengthening in-venue aluminum recycling, providing fans with a more environmentally friendly fan experience and showcasing aluminum beverage packaging as the most sustainable choice.

The partnership includes naming rights for Ball and KSE?s hometown arena in Denver, Colorado, home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth, and also home to family entertainment and concerts. The partnership is a demonstration of both companies? steadfast commitment to a sustainable future and builds on their long history of working together to support the Denver community.

Ball and KSE will also partner with the Premier League?s Arsenal F.C., which plays in London?s Emirates Stadium, and the NFL?s Los Angeles Rams and their home stadium, SoFi Stadium. In each location, in addition to in-venue aluminum beverage packaging solutions, Ball and KSE will enhance local community programs and increase awareness of the importance of aluminum recycling.

?This is an important moment in sports and entertainment, and we are proud to partner with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to advance sustainability in venues by implementing real-world solutions to the packaging waste crisis,? said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ball Corporation. ?We are committed to making recycling an easy, everyday choice for consumers by providing them with infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, bottles and cups that can be used and back on a store shelf in just 60 days, and enhancing recycling infrastructure in venues. We look forward to continuing to work with KSE to bring about positive change for years to come.?

The partnership marks a new era for both companies? hometown multi-purpose Denver arena, the site of iconic athletic, entertainment and cultural moments throughout the past 30 years.

?It is with great pride that we introduce Ball Arena as the new home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth,? said KSE Founder and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. ?Our goal in selecting a long-term international venues partner was to find a Colorado-based company with global renown to grow side-by-side with our talented young teams. Ball Corporation is an ideal fit for that vision, an innovative leader that shares our commitment to our local community, to environmental sustainability and creating quality jobs in Colorado. We look forward to unveiling Ball Arena and welcoming our fans back home when it is time once again to celebrate live sports and entertainment events responsibly. We ask everyone to continue to stay safe and look after each other so that we can soon enjoy countless amazing memories at Ball Arena.?

The partnership also takes Ball and KSE?s growing relationship to the next level, reflecting a shared vision for the future of the global sports and entertainment industry.

“This announcement is an extension of a relationship that began between Ball Corporation and KSE a year ago with the introduction of their infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum CupTM. That opened the door to this incredible opportunity, that builds on the importance of aluminum packaging and recycling,? said Michael Ceilley, KSE Senior Vice President, Partnership Marketing & Media Sales. ?Working together, we believe this partnership will be transformative and help redefine the way arenas and stadiums operate globally. We are also grateful for PepsiCo?s dedication to elevating the fan experience at our arena for over 21 years, and through ongoing official beverage partnerships with the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and Ball Arena.?

These iconic venues will make the event and fan experience more sustainable by making infinitely recyclable beverage packaging more accessible and ensuring fans have confidence their beverage containers are being recycled and returned to the shelves. At all three locations, this partnership enables KSE to provide guests with real solutions that address the packaging waste crisis, including cold beverages in the infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum CupTM and in aluminum cans and bottles, with improved fan-facing recycling programs available on-site.

? At Ball Arena in Denver, Ball will be KSE?s Official and Exclusive Sustainability Partner, working with KSE to transition to aluminum beverage packaging ? cans, bottles and cups ? for 100 percent of the venue?s concessions, with the goal of implementing a closed loop system by 2022. The partnership will include a comprehensive recycling and sustainability plan designed to strengthen the venue?s collection, processing and reclamation, as well as investments in community education focused on aluminum recycling.

? In London, Ball will partner with Arsenal ? one of the most watched soccer teams in the world ? as its official sustainable aluminum beverage packaging partner. The partnership will explore ways in which Ball can support the club in reducing its impact on the environment and assist with educational initiatives for its global fanbase about the importance of recycling and other green practices.?Ball?s partnership with Arsenal builds on both parties? long history of working to support their community and signals a long-term commitment to a sustainable future.

? In Los Angeles, Ball will become the official Infinitely Recyclable Aluminum Packaging Partner of SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Rams. SoFi Stadium ? the new, 70,000-seat home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers ? will feature the company?s infinitely recyclable aluminum cups for draft beer and cocktails. The Rams will use the cups at team training facilities, camps and on game days. Additionally, the partnership will allow Ball to create local sustainability awareness events, targeted community recycling improvements and educational programming.

Ball, a leader in cutting-edge aluminum beverage packaging, as well as climate monitoring and weather forecasting technologies through the Ball Aerospace business, has made sustainability foundational to its business, operations and products. This partnership builds on Ball?s success in developing and piloting the lightweight Ball Aluminum CupTM in sports and entertainment venues. The cup, a direct response to growing consumer preference for more sustainable products, debuted in 2019 at the former Pepsi Center, now Ball Arena. It is also available at the University of Colorado Boulder?s Folsom Field and at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, among other major venues. KSE is a natural partner as Ball seeks to expand the cups? reach and provide an infinitely recyclable solution to sports fans, concert-goers and consumers around the globe.

Throughout the life of the partnership, Ball and KSE will develop and implement fan-facing activities in all three venues, and focus on educational and recycling infrastructure programs for the surrounding local communities to celebrate and encourage aluminum recycling ? an everyday sustainable choice for consumers and a cornerstone of making a circular economy a reality.

About Ball Corporation

Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 18,300 people worldwide and 2019 net sales were $11.5 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Denver-based Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is one of the world’s leading ownership, entertainment and management groups. KSE?s portfolio of professional sports teams and venues include: Arsenal F.C. (EPL), the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), SoFi Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Ball Arena, Dick?s Sports Goods Park and the Historic Paramount Theatre. Additional properties under KSE’s umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a 24-hour regional television network and Altitude Authentics, the company’s official retail provider.

Read the original press release here

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By SJEarthquakes.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. ? The San Jose Earthquakes are partnering with Hunger at Home to help feed those in need here in Silicon Valley.

Hunger at Home is a leader in food collection and distribution, working with local convention centers, hotels, and sports stadiums to collect excess food and goods and distribute through its large network of nonprofit partners. To date, Hunger at Home has distributed more than 3.5 million meals as well as various important household items.

?We are extremely proud and excited to continue building on our partnership with Hunger at Home,? said Earthquakes Director of Community Relations Rahul Devaskar. ?They have a longstanding reputation of keeping food out of landfills and supporting in-need members of our community. Hunger at Home is also a founding member of our Pledge 74 campaign and have helped us identify the areas where our efforts would make the most impact.?

The partnership was kicked off last week with ~120 families picking up semi-prepared meals in a COVID-compliant, drive-through format on Earthquakes Way, immediately adjacent to Earthquakes Stadium. In addition to serving as the host venue for the event, the Earthquakes also provided volunteers through their Pledge 74 campaign, which has contributed more than $100,000 and 500 hours of community service in the fight against food insecurity.

Click here to download b-roll from last week?s pilot event at Earthquakes Stadium

Last week served as a pilot for future events at Earthquakes Stadium, which is expected to host two distribution events per month that may accommodate as many as 200 families each.

When fans can safely return to watch the team play at Earthquakes Stadium, Hunger at Home will become the official gleaner of the Quakes, collecting unused food following each match and redistributing to those in need.

Hunger at Home will also be hosting their Bridge the Gap Gala: Drive Thru Edition at Earthquakes Stadium on Saturday, October 24. The event runs from 2-5 p.m. and features many family-friendly activities, such as magicians and live bands, with all families taking home a ready-to-cook gourmet meal and paired wine. Tickets are still available here.

Read the original article here

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By Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee

Tampa, FL. ? October 13, 2020 ? The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee announced today the launch of the Host Committee Sustainability Program, presented by Tampa Electric, their official sustainability partner for Super Bowl LV in Tampa on February 7, 2021.

As part of the partnership agreement, Tampa Electric will work with the Super Bowl LV Host Committee to incorporate sustainability principles and programs alongside Super Bowl-related and Host Committee-related events in the Tampa Bay area.

The program will focus on mitigating the environmental impact and making a positive contribution to the host community by offsetting energy at events through the purchase of solar blocks, supporting NFL Green?s community greening initiatives, developing unique fan engagement activities and aiding in food and material recovery efforts.

?Tampa Electric is committed to protecting and preserving our environment, which we demonstrate as the state?s top producer of solar energy per customer,? said Rene Gallant, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Tampa Electric. ?We look forward to the opportunity to educate the community about clean energy and creating a greener future, as well as supporting community greening projects which will help preserve our natural wildlife and resources.?

Renewable Energy Offsets:
The Host Committee plans to work directly with Tampa Electric to purchase solar blocks through the Sun to Go program to offset electricity usage at their sanctioned events. This initiative, which is also available to residential and business customers, will allow the equivalent of the electricity used at these events to be generated from local solar installments to the grid.

Fan Engagement:
In addition, the Host Committee will partner with local non-profit organizations to develop multiple fan and volunteer engagement initiatives leading up to and during Super Bowl LV week, including but not limited to community clean-ups,  food packing events, a sustainability incentive program and activating a Riverwalk Green Team.

Community Greening Program:
In partnership with NFL Green, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee and Tampa Electric will support the Community Greening Program which will develop projects focused on leaving a permanent green legacy in the Tampa Bay community. For Super Bowl LV, numerous community greening projects are planned ranging from mangrove planting and sand dune restoration to neighborhood beautification projects and community gardens. The first Sand dune project at Picnic Island Park was recently completed and highlighted by the symbolic passing of the ?Golden Shovel? from Miami to Tampa.

The press release and VNR package from this event can be found HERE.

?With sustainability being a key pillar of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee?s legacy program, Forever 55, we are so grateful for Tampa Electric?s ongoing support and thought leadership, said Claire Lessinger,? Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee.  ?We look forward to uniting the community around greening initiatives and ultimately leaving a lasting impact and legacy together.?

For more information on the local hosting efforts for Super Bowl LV, you can visit the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee?s official website at TampaBayLV.com.

About Tampa Electric:
Tampa Electric, one of Florida?s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 780,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

About the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee:
Forward. Forever. Together. The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee, a private, non-profit 501 (c)(6), represents local community leaders in business, tourism, sports, entertainment, and government and serves as the direct liaison to the National Football League for the region?s collective hosting effort. The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee will focus on raising the bar for the fan experience in the region, implementing lasting legacy initiatives, showcasing the destination?s recent progress and exciting future, all while delivering a fifth world-class Super Bowl. For news and event information, follow us on social at @TampaBayLV or visit TampaBayLV.com

Read the original press release here

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By FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar?s efforts to host a sustainable FIFA World Cup in 2022 were discussed during the 2020 Green Sports Alliance Virtual Summit.

Engineer Bodour Al Meer, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy?s (SC) Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager, provided insight into Qatar?s sustainability projects during the summit?s keynote session ? a fireside chat entitled ?Looking Ahead to the Next Decade of Regenerative Sporting Events?.

Al Meer said: ?Qatar is a small and rapidly developing country. Hosting the World Cup has accelerated our national development plans set out in our National Vision for 2030. Our vision for our country is to have harmony between economic growth, social development and environmental protections. The environmental section of the Qatar 2022 Sustainability Strategy is perfectly aligned with our national goals.?

?Our five strategic environmental focus areas are green building, carbon neutrality, air pollution, water management and waste minimisation,? continued Al Meer. ?Two highlights of these are that all our stadiums are certified using the GSAS [Global Sustainability Assessment System] green building scheme. We will also deliver a fully carbon neutral event.?

Moderated by Nihal Mohamed Al Saleh, Qatar Foundation?s Project Manager for Sustainable Cities, the discussion also featured FIFA?s Head of Sustainability & Environment, Federico Addiechi, who spoke about the collaboration between world football?s governing body and the SC.

?Qatar 2022 is going to be the first in so many dimensions. It?s the most compact of any FIFA World Cup since the first one in 1930 in Uruguay, with everything basically happening in one city,? said Addiechi. ?In itself, that compact nature is going to help us in our efforts to reduce emissions from travelling while ensuring a friendly and inclusive experience for everyone attending the event. We are proud of the positive collaboration with the SC so far and of our joint commitment and work to delivering a more sustainable FIFA World Cup in 2022.?

When asked about what makes Qatar 2022 a unique sustainability story, Al Meer emphasised the benefits it will provide the country from a legacy standpoint once the tournament concludes.

?As a Qatari national, making sure the FIFA World Cup leaves a legacy for my country is very important,? Al Meer said. ?We started to plan for the legacy [of the tournament] as early as the bid phase back in 2010 and our programmes are now bearing fruit. We have detailed legacy plans for each new building we construct, including our stadiums. Perhaps even more important are the social legacy programmes we are delivering. These programmes will improve our society and include sustainability awareness capacity building for youth through Generation Amazing, our football for development initiative. I think the legacy [strategy] for a host nation for mega events is going to become even more important in the future as a result of Qatar 2022.?

Click here for further information about Qatar 2022?s commitment to sustainability.

Click here to read the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sustainability Strategy.

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By MLS Communications

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By SailGP

SailGP launches Race for the Future © SailGP

With a sense of purpose that goes beyond entertainment, SailGP will use its global platform to accelerate change to a cleaner and more inclusive future via a newly launched initiative: Race for the Future.

SailGP – the sport’s pinnacle league featuring the world’s fastest sail racing – will set a new standard as the first climate positive sports and entertainment property, while delivering actions and innovations that advance the global adoption of clean energy. Underpinning the plan is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender and racial inclusivity.

Having postponed its second season events due to the pandemic, SailGP is building on the foundations set in year one when it launched a gender-balanced youth and community outreach program – SailGP Inspire – and set the initial goal of winning the race to zero carbon.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “We have a responsibility and a purpose that goes beyond our compelling entertainment proposition. Sustainable development is paramount to the world’s future, and through SailGP, we have a unique platform to accelerate change. Race for the Future takes us from intention to action, with a real ability to effect environmental and social transformation within and outside of the sport.

“Having a zero-carbon footprint and a diverse staff is not enough; we’ve challenged ourselves to think bigger and broader. These issues go beyond SailGP, beyond the sport and beyond the industry, and we will strongly advocate for the critical adoption of clean energy, while serving as champions of inclusivity.”

Race for the Future, Part 1: Environmental

Setting the New Standard

SailGP is the first climate positive sports and entertainment property, going beyond a net zero carbon footprint in all business and event operations. To be climate positive, SailGP will both drastically reduce its carbon output and invest in projects to eliminate more than the remaining emissions, ultimately creating an environmental benefit.

SailGP Sustainability Director Dr. Susie Tomson said: “We are facing a global climate emergency that requires aggressive action. We have to take decisive and ground-breaking measures, leading by example not only in sailing but across the marine and sports industries. Through technology and innovation, we will be able to reduce our impact, and will utilize our events, network, partners and fans to showcase and inspire change.”

In setting a new standard for clean event delivery, SailGP will track and verify its carbon emissions through a partnership with One Carbon World, a global resource partner of the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative.

Three of SailGP’s primary activity areas – on the water, onshore and in cities – have been identified to reduce the league’s carbon footprint. In each area, SailGP is partnering with like-minded and innovative companies to fully transition to clean energy solutions.

The remaining carbon that cannot be eliminated will be offset through One Carbon World and via the advancement of pioneering blue carbon projects, helping to maintain or restore critical carbon-sequestering shoreline ecosystems around the world. Blue carbon projects will be delivered through a partnership with Worldview International Foundation, starting with planting mangroves to contribute to the charity’s ambitious goal of planting a billion trees and mitigating 500 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.

On-Water

SailGP’s F50 race boats are one of the best showcases of clean energy in the world – they harness the power of the wind, traveling at 3-4 times its speed.

A key project to ensure both the race and support boats are powered by nature is reducing the carbon impact of the support boats – necessary to safely manage SailGP racing. Working in partnership with ePropulsion, a leading innovator of portable electric outboard boat motors, SailGP will transition 11 boats to ePropulsion motors for the start of Season 2.

SailGP has also partnered with Evoy, an innovative Norwegian company providing high-output electric propulsion systems for boats, to find a solution for the electrification of the league’s high-speed chase boats. Through a ‘pilot partnership,’ an initial boat will be upgraded to test at the first European event in Season 2 and, if successful, a plan will be implemented to transition the remainder of the boats to electric engines.

The overall goal is to have a fully electric support boat fleet by 2025 – removing the equivalent of 175 cars from the road – and helping to lead a clean energy revolution in the marine industry.

Onshore

On the shore, SailGP is shifting from technologies based on fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable power by 2025. At the core of the project will be temporary event power supplied by generators using clean fuel.

Though the race boats are inherently powered by nature, they require batteries to run the electronics and store power during racing, so it is essential that once onshore, these are recharged using clean energy. To meet the goal of the race boats being fully powered by nature, a new mobile off-grid solar solution was implemented in Season 1, working in partnership with Tesla and using a Tesla Powerwall system. SailGP will work to expand the initiative to power additional elements of its technical boat operations, including the electric outboard motors that will be used by the support boat fleet.

Another key onshore project is looking at the circularity in the production of the race boats. A partnership with ELG Carbon Fibre – the world’s first carbon fiber recovery plant based in the UK – will allow waste carbon fiber from the F50s to be recycled and reintroduced into the manufacturing process for the evolution of the race boat in future seasons, ensuring a responsible and reduced carbon manufacturing process. This will be a vital step in addressing the issue of global carbon consumption and raising awareness of closed loop recycling within the marine industry and beyond.

In Cities

Another new development for 2021, each of the eight national teams competing in SailGP will race with purpose. Every team will sign a Race for the Future charitable partner in their market, not only offering valuable commercial space on the boat to raise awareness for the partners’ causes, but also to secure funding for their partner through race results. The teams will work with their partners on projects that align with SailGP’s sustainability efforts.

New Zealand SailGP Team co-CEO Blair Tuke said: “SailGP’s global platform is a massive opportunity to accelerate change and shine the light on key issues facing our environment. Our partner Live Ocean will help raise awareness for the protection and restoration of our oceans, which are one of our best defenses against climate change. It’s really exciting that as a league we can bring focus on the urgent need for change using Race for the Future.”

Accelerating Change

SailGP will deliver actions and innovations that accelerate the global adoption of clean energy by investing in clean technology, serving as a collaborative innovation lab and inspiring action.

Clean Tech

SailGP will invest in clean technology solutions through both SailGP’s own research and design capabilities, and with the creation of a start-up investment fund. The aim will be to develop, test and bring to market new sustainable innovations that have broader applicability beyond the marine industry, as well as allow the league to reinvest in projects that nurture and protect the environment where SailGP races.

The first project is with E1 – the new electric powerboat series that was launched last month. SailGP is engineering and developing the initial race boat concept, which will allow the league to continue its push toward sustainable innovation and help drive forward the electrification of the marine industry.

Innovation Lab

The global championship will serve as an innovation lab and bring together partners, stakeholders, thought leaders and change makers to collaborate and facilitate advances in clean tech innovations. SailGP events will become the ultimate showcase, and through demonstrations, forums and interactive sessions, bring together innovators to shape the future of clean technology and marine sustainability.

Inspire Action

From grassroots youth programs to consumer campaigns, SailGP will look to inspire action among its audiences, partners and fans. Using its global events, social, digital and broadcast platforms, SailGP will create clean energy advocates of the future. In addition, 10,000 young people will be educated about sustainability through SailGP Inspire in event host cities.

ROCKWOOL Group CEO Jens Birgersson said: “Sustainability is at the heart of our business at ROCKWOOL Group, and SailGP provides us a global platform to raise awareness, showcase sustainable solutions and share our optimism around today’s sustainability challenges, especially in urban environments. We believe that a more sustainable future is possible, and that, together, we can accelerate change, drive innovation, and inspire current and future generations to take action.”

Race for the Future, Part 2 will be released on October 20 with details regarding female athlete inclusion in the league for Season 2, as well as robust initiatives to fully integrate diversity, equity and inclusion in every part of the business.

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By Heather Gillin, Texas A&M University College of Education & Human Development

Environmental initiatives can be socially and economically beneficial to many organizations, a Texas A&M sport ecology expert says. iStock

The sports that we enjoy today could not take place without a natural environment to compete in, and Texas A&M University sport ecology expert Brian McCullough says sports can also benefit financially by going green.

McCullough, an associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Education & Human Development, said leagues, teams and fans all share a responsibility to promote and choose environmental sustainability in the sports sector.

?It is necessary that a healthy natural environment exists to ensure our enjoyment of participating and watching sport continues,? McCullough said. ?It is possible to do so without sacrificing our experiences but may require some behavior modification or rethinking organizational processes to be more sustainable, yet profitable for sport businesses.?

McCullough is the director of the Sport Ecology Laboratory. He has been researching sport ecology, or the bidirectional relationship between sport and the natural environment, for the past 12 years. In 2017 he was invited to contribute to the creation of the United Nations Climate Secretariat?s Sports for Climate Action Framework.

McCullough said recent wildfires, flooding, extreme heat and shorter winter seasons all impact sport ? whether we are participating in it or watching it as a spectator.

?We can see the effects that the wildfires in Australia had during the Australian Open or the recent wildfires on the West Coast of the U.S. had on the concerns of air quality and whether or not to delay sport events in baseball and football,? McCullough said.

Sport relies on the well-being of the natural environment to engage in our favorite athletic, recreational and physical activities. This is why McCullough created the Sport Ecology Laboratory to empower the sport sector, practitioners, participants and fans to be more sustainable in producing and consuming sport through accessible and practical information resulting from the lab?s research.

Some sports leagues and teams have been embracing environmental sustainability even before it became mainstream. The Philadelphia Eagles were the first team in North America to embrace environmental sustainability in 2003, starting with a simple employee recycling program.

?There are a host of sports leagues and individual teams that have focused on a variety of initiatives,? McCullough said. ?Some of the most notable are reducing carbon emissions from team travel, stadium operations and even fan travel.?

Today, the Eagles? efforts include a closed-loop recycling program, water conservation efforts, a bike share program, compostable straws and a carbon offset initiative to plant 10 trees for every field goal made by the team each season. Their sustainability measures earned them LEED Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council and an ISO 20121 Certification.

A soccer club in England ? the Forest Green Rovers ? hasbeen the most proactive globally and was recognized for its efforts by the United Nations.

McCullough said carbon offsets and circular economies like the Philadelphia Eagles have implemented are excellent initiatives that build on the most common gateway initiative, waste management.

?Some of the best organizations achieve zero waste, which means that 90 percent or more of waste produced at an event is diverted from the landfill by being recycled or composted,? McCullough said.

A recent example of this is Ball?s aluminum drink cup that reduces the amount of plastics disposed of in the stadium. The cup was successfully implemented at the last Super Bowl.

McCullough has found that environmental initiatives are lucrative socially and, more importantly, economically to many organizations.

?Promoting such initiatives and having an authentic approach can deepen the loyalty of fans ? increasing revenues ? and can open new opportunities for corporate partnerships and sponsorship inventory to further increase revenue generation,? McCullough said.

However, a majority of sport organizations are not actively engaging in environmental sustainability initiatives or making the most sustainable choices based on their circumstances. McCullough hopes to promote, advance and refine these initiatives through his research.

?We want to address these issues and find the solutions to overcome these constraints by making a strong business case that show the financial costs and benefits but also the social returns on investment including protecting the natural environment,? McCullough said.

Sport is one piece in the broader puzzle of climate action to address and decrease the global environmental impact of human activity, but it can have a major influence in promoting environmental awareness and social pressure for businesses, corporations and governments to take meaningful action to protect the natural environment.

?Ultimately, taking climate action and addressing the causes of climate change makes not only the natural environment more stable but the global economy and the wellbeing of the global population,? McCullough said.

The Sport Ecology Laboratory partnered with the Green Sports Alliance to celebrate Green Sports Day on Oct. 6.

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In an effort to address the carbon impact of building and refitting sailing boats, organisers of a new round the world boat race have announced plans to deliver the most innovative sustainability program the sport has ever seen.

Working with academics, The Race Around will explore the latest sustainable innovations in boat building, including the use of recyclable fibres and resins, to integrate a more circular approach to construction within the class and wider industry. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Class40 build process will use the data to quantify the reduction in environmental impact of sustainable materials and processes.

The vast majority of sailing boats are currently constructed using energy intensive methods that produce high levels of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur dioxide. At the end of life most are sent to landfill.

The collected data will help set a benchmark for the carbon footprint of the entire boat building process. The outcomes of the research could also be applied to the car and renewable energy industries, amongst others.

In a sailing first, The Race Around will also offer entry fee reductions to competitors actively cutting the carbon impact of the boat building or refit process who share their data with race organisers ahead of the 2023 event. A mandatory carbon budget will then be introduced for the second edition of the race in 2027.

A prototype Class40 boat, to be built early next year, as part of the research project, will act as a case study to showcase the capabilities of the cutting edge materials at regattas and boat shows and provide vital insights for other industries. Ways to extend the lifespan of existing Class40 boats and integrate sustainable approaches to refitting as well as tackling the problems of end of life disposal are also being studied as part of The Futures Program.

Sam Holliday, co-founder of The Race Around, said: ?The sailing industry is addressing certain elements of its environmental impact but more needs to be done. We want to disprove the theory that sustainable alternatives to traditional methods, whilst reducing carbon emissions, impact performance.

?By collaborating with academics, and sharing the data with the wider industry, which will also be relevant to other businesses and industries, we want to drive real change and large scale transformation.?

The organisers already have a track record of implementing sustainability measures through The Atlantic Cup which was the first regatta to be certified Platinum in 2016 by Sailors for the Sea, an achievement repeated in 2018. It was also the first sporting event to be certified ISO 20121 compliant in the United States.

For more information:

Robin Clegg, e: robin@wearecurve.com t: +44 7765 157136

About The Race Around and Futures Program

The Race Around is a short-handed, classic, multi-staged around the world Class40 yacht race starting in the summer of 2023. The race course will feature The Three Great Capes of ocean navigation and the challenging Southern Ocean.

The Futures Program?s mission is to inspire the sailing industry to integrate sustainable initiatives within boat building and recycling operations to reduce their environmental impact. It actively encourages diversity and through a collaborative, curriculum-based education program, aims to raise awareness of the issues we face and to showcase positive solutions for real change.

The post Making waves in offshore sailing appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

By Ed Brennen

UMass Lowell is one of the “Coolest Schools” in North America, according to Sierra magazine’s annual ranking of the greenest colleges and universities.

UMass Lowell is one the ?Coolest Schools? in the country, according to Sierra magazine?s annual ranking of North America?s greenest colleges and universities.

UML placed 16th on this year?s list, its highest ranking ever. This is the first time the university has cracked the top 20; it was No. 28 last year and No. 165 as recently as 2016.

Compiled by the national magazine of the Sierra Club, the Cool Schools ranking assesses colleges’ performance on everything from how they get their electricity and dining hall food to what they teach students in the classroom. A record 300-plus schools participated in this year?s survey.

?If you look at where we started a few short years ago, the jump has been remarkable,? says Director of Sustainability Ruairi O?Mahony, who credits this year?s rise to the university?s latest Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) report, which Sierra uses as a basis for its rankings.

Last year, UML became the highest-rated STARS campus in Massachusetts ? and one of the top 10 in the country ? with a STARS Gold score of 77.56.

That helped give UML a Cool Schools score of 80.04 from Sierra this year, putting it in a statistical dead heat with No. 15 UMass Amherst.

The University of California Irvine finished first on the Sierra list with a score of 89.95, followed by Stanford University (89.86) and Canada?s Thompson Rivers University (89.63).\

Rowdy the River Hawk checks out the electrical vehicle charging stations across from University Crossing.

?This is the first time we?ve accurately been able to capture all the work we?ve been doing over the last four or five years at once for the rating systems,? says O?Mahony, who adds that the ranking is a result of a university-wide commitment to sustainability that ?starts with Chancellor (Jacquie) Moloney and extends throughout campus to our students, faculty and staff.?

?UMass Lowell has a lot to model for schools everywhere,? says Katie O?Reilly, Sierra?s adventure and lifestyle editor. ?We at the Sierra Club have been continually impressed with this powerhouse research university?s commitment to teaching and embodying excellent environmental stewardship in all areas. The River Hawks are truly standouts in this increasingly important space.?

Established in 2015, the Office of Sustainability serves as a focal point for that commitment, providing resources and support for campus operations, education, research, student engagement and community partnerships.

From its Urban Agriculture and Farm Share programs, to its efforts around recycling and waste diversion, to the S.E.E.D. Fund grants it awards to promote green projects on campus, the office has helped the university become a leader in sustainability.

While the coronavirus pandemic has put many of those programs on hold, O?Mahony says the office is still providing core services such as recycling, and it continues to work with Mill City Grows on its partnership at the Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse and Farm.

?We?re using this time to strengthen our overall sustainability program,? O?Mahony says. ?We got this great ranking, but the work continues. We need to move the needle further.?

The university received high marks for curriculum and research in its latest STARS assessment, something that O?Mahony says will get a further boost from the recently created Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy (RISE). Integrating the Office of Sustainability, the university?s Climate Change Initiative and renewable energy engineering, RISE promotes sustainability-related faculty and student research through its fellowship program.

Campus and community engagement are other areas where the university excels.

Earlier this year, UML and the City of Lowell established a Green Community Partnership that will award grants of up to $10,000 for joint university-community projects that advance sustainability.

The university is also working closely with the city on a Pawtucket Street Greenway project that will improve the link between South Campus and the rest of campus for bicyclists and pedestrians.

And to advance its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the university recently received a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to create a renewable energy master plan for the campus.

With the pandemic putting a strain on university budgets across the country, O?Mahony says outside grant funding will be more important than ever, as will energy conservation, sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly practices in general.

?This pandemic has highlighted the importance of the programs we?re doing,? he says.

Read the original article here

The post Very Cool! UML 16th on Sierra?s List of Eco-friendly Schools appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

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