On Monday, the England and Wales Cricket Board officially announced their participation in the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, making them the first national cricket organization to become a member.

The ECB is now a part of several county clubs, including Gloucestershire and Surrey, as well as the MCC, Melbourne Cricket Club, and the international T20 team Desert Vipers. In addition, over 200 other sports and broadcasting organizations, ranging from the World Flying Disk Federation to the Lawn Tennis Association, have also signed on to these principles. These principles aim to incorporate environmental considerations into decision-making and include targets such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero status by 2040.

Dr. Russell Seymour, the chair of the British Association for Sustainable Sport, stated that the UN Sports for Climate Framework serves as a symbol and demonstrates the ECB’s desire to align with other global sports leaders. The commitment must be signed by a high-ranking individual, typically the chief executive, and the data must be made public prior to submission to ensure accountability and openness. While this is a significant advancement, its impact will ultimately depend on how the ECB utilizes it.

The updated Environmental Sustainability Plan for Cricket acknowledges the risk that climate change presents to the sport and pledges the ECB’s efforts towards enhancing its own sustainability and collaborating with both professional and recreational cricket communities to do so. The plan is divided into three sections: Addressing Climate Change, Efficient Resource Management, and Preserving the Natural Environment. The focus on nature and biodiversity will be well-received by those who view cricket grounds as precious green havens in densely populated urban areas or highly regulated rural landscapes.

The ECB recently released new regulations on extreme heat in response to the record-breaking temperatures experienced during the summer of 2022. Additionally, the County Grants Climate Change fund has seen significant success in supporting recreational activities. This fund provides financial assistance to clubs for initiatives such as energy conservation, water management, the use of electric mowers or rollers, and measures to combat drought and flood damage.

In the year 2022, a total of 37 clubs received funding for solar projects. This number increased to 64 in the following year, 2023. The ECB is emphasizing the importance of clubs addressing flood resilience in order to prevent the growing damage and expenses caused by storms. According to statistics, two out of every five clubs are currently at risk. In October, Storm Babet led to 23 clubs seeking emergency aid.

Just before the beginning of Cop28, there has been the release of the Game Changer 2 report, which serves as a reminder of the issues at hand. Additionally, the men’s World Cup was affected by air pollution and the International Cricket Council has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Aramco, a Saudi Arabian oil company.

Source: theguardian.com