Introduction to Sports for Climate Action

Courses

Sports and climate change are closely linked – while sports contribute to emissions, they are also vulnerable to climate impacts. This e-learning course, part of a two-course series, provides learners with the knowledge to drive sustainability in sports.

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  • Climate Change

Self-paced course

1.5 hours

Background

The world of sports is deeply connected to the climate crisis. While sporting events, infrastructure, and logistics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, climate change also disrupts sports through rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation. To address these challenges, UN Climate Change launched the Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2018, bringing together sports organizations and their stakeholders to drive meaningful change.

To raise awareness and inspire action, the UN Climate Change as part of its Sports for Climate Action initiativehas developed the Sports and Climate Action e-learning series, in technical collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and with financial support from adidas. This series provides sports professionals, decision-makers, and enthusiasts with the knowledge and tools to contribute to a low-emission and climate-resilient future in sports.

The series consists of two tracks: Introductory and Advanced. This Introductory Track is designed for those who want to grasp the fundamental links between climate change and sports, understand the role of sports organizations in climate action, and explore practical ways to contribute to a more sustainable future.

What will you learn?

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Outline ways in which sports both contribute to and are affected by climate change.
  2. Explain what is at stake and how climate change affects different people and communities.
  3. Discuss strategies and actions across the sports world that can lead to positive change.
  4. Identify individual actions that can be taken to make sports greener and more resilient.

Course at a glance:

The Introduction to Sports for Climate Action consists of four modules and the final quiz that take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. The learning experience is interactive, featuring videos, exercises, and additional resources to help you apply the concepts in practice.

  • Module 1: Game Changer – The Role of Sports in Climate Action
  • Module 2: Greening the Game – Reducing Sports’ Carbon Footprint
  • Module 3: The Climate Playbook – Building up Sports’ Resilience
  • Module 4: Playing for the Planet – The Power of Sports
  • Final Quiz

Will you get a certificate?

An official certificate of completion is awarded to learners who complete:

  • The module, including all videos, interactive lessons, and activities;
  • Final quiz with a 70% or higher score within three attempts;

Once these conditions are met, the certificate will automatically become available for participants to download on the platform in the “certification” tab.

Partners and Contributors

The course was developed by the UN Climate Change’s Sports for Climate Action initiative in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and financial support from adidas.