Organisational

Sport Ireland’s 2023-2027 Statement of Strategy calls sustainability out as an enabler, committing to improving the monitoring/evaluation of its own sustainability impact and outcomes ‘on the ground’ and working with core partners around the wider sport sector in general via research and improved use of data management and insight. 

Sport Ireland is committed to making a positive contribution in line with the Government’s commitments, to become a leader in sustainable development across the public sector. 

International Engagement 

Members of management, on behalf of Sport Ireland and the Department, have been sitting on an EU Expert Group on sustainable sport called “Green Sport”, entrusted with formulating recommendations for a common framework for sustainable sport in Europe. Its report provides focused guidance and recommendations to create a pathway for European sport to meet the goals of the Green Deal. The result is a comprehensive analysis and a set of recommendations that policymakers and sport practitioners should apply to stimulate the reach for more environmental sustainability in and through sports. Sports organisations in member states will be called upon to establish a baseline carbon footprint for their sport and to come up with environmental sustainability plans as part of their development strategy.

Another European project - The Sustainability and Environmental Education in Outdoors Sports Project - aims to enhance the protection of natural landscapes through education. This project has developed several toolkits for use by instructors, guides and leaders in outdoor sports. Sport Ireland have been involved in providing input into the toolkits and supporting the dissemination to NGBs in Ireland. 

Over the past number of years Sport Ireland has a seat on the Sport Environment and Climate Coalition (SECC) in the UK and has also recently become a member of the Irish Green Building Council, which provides access to industry insight and support as well as access to learning and development materials and events.  

Along with a consortium of partners Sport Ireland has recently been awarded funding for an EU project titled “Enhance Sustainable Measures in Sports Facilities”, which aims to facilitate a positive European ecosystem to advance towards more efficient and sustainable sports facilities by identifying and providing concrete and effective solutions to address the challenges. 

Sport Ireland is also a project partner in the European Union's Green Audit project which aims to provide support to sports and fitness clubs/centres to enhance their sustainability. The Green Audit Self-Assessments Tool will offer clubs a comprehensive overview and understanding of their current sustainability efforts, and to provide insights for further progress.​

High Performance 

Sport Ireland's High Performance Policy supports sustainability by asking NGBs to prioritise events in Europe where possible, to reduce travel. 

In the Paris Olympics cycle, Sport Ireland has also asked NGBs to prioritise the Campus as a venue for all pre-game preparation for all athletes and teams in sports where facilities meet their needs. Not only to maximise the use our world class facilities but to minimise expenses and limit the enviromental impact of travel. Within this Olympic cycle several sports are fully centralised in the centre on the Sport Ireland Campus including boxing, gymnastics, badminton, swimming, hockey and pentathlon. 

The establishment of an enviromental chamber in the Sport Ireland Institite aids with preparation for events in diverse climates without requiring travel abroad. 

Guidance and Advice

When organising events within Ireland, whether at large-scale venues or grassroots clubs involving individual athletes and participants, Sport Ireland advocates for a sustainable approach among NGBs. We have done this through providing a range of toolkits to support organisations. This approach encompasses practices such as prioritising energy efficiency, implementing recycling measures, promoting responsible food consumption, managing waste effectively, and embracing principles of the circular economy.

Sport Ireland is also supporting initiatives with Local Sports Partnerships targeting grassroots sports in helping them to become more sustainable. The initiatives assist clubs in reducing energy costs, taking positive environmental action, and building sustainability focused partnerships. These initiatives include the Sports Energy Support Scheme and the Leave No Trace campaign.

The actions within the National Physical Activity Plan include developing and promoting walking and cycling strategies in each Local Authority area. Ensuring the planning, development and design of towns, cities and schools promotes cycling and walking. Work is also ongoing with the department of Transport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and National Transport Agency to provide live transport data to the Get Ireland Active website. While Sport Ireland is working with the Department of Transport to develop a National Demand Management Strategy which aims to free up road space in urban areas to accommodate better public transport and active travel. 

Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Campus are on a sustainability journey with the aim of being a leader and being able to share learnings with the sector. 

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sport Ireland released a report mapping the contribution of Irish National Sports Policy (NSP) to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in total the NSP aligns closely with 10 of the SDGs.