As an industry professional that has been tracking the intersection between sustainability and sports for nearly two decades, I’ve highlighted ground-breaking environmental programs launched by the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. If sports can capture global audiences through loyalty, legacy, and emotion, why can’t they become a platform for social equity, climate action, and environmental resiliency too?
A personal power play
The landscape has changed dramatically. Around the world, sports leagues are investing in climate-smart infrastructure, athletes are emerging as trusted advocates for sustainability and social justice, and fans are increasingly demanding accountability from teams, service vendors, and sponsors alike. Yet in Canada, much of this progress has remained somewhat disjointed. Canada’s contributions remain largely fragmented across operational silos and regional success stories.
From institutional athletic programs integrating high-performance green building standards, to municipal arenas and recreational facilities undergoing carbon retrofits, and national leagues exploring ESG-aligned sponsorships, each sector has a piece of the sustainability puzzle that has yet to be unified. What’s missing is the common platform, a shared national narrative that connects these initiatives into a coherent vision with measurable impact.
On October 6th each year, Green Sports Day in Canada offers a symbolic rallying point when athletes, facility operators, leagues, brands, municipalities, and fans celebrate their shared commitment to sustainability. In practice, however, the day represents an untapped opportunity to build a unified, year-round movement that harnesses the scale and reach of sports to drive meaningful environmental, social, and economic progress across the country.
That’s why this Environmental Journal writing series is being launched to serve as a centralized voice and storytelling platform for sustainability in sports across Canada. This series will elevate success stories, expose challenges, and create space for collaboration among thought leaders and decision-makers. The goal is to accelerate the cultural shift needed to embed sustainability across every level of Canadian sport, from the recreational rink to the international stage.