As plant values, we support the Sustainable development of organisations and companies, accompany the implementation and provide advice. This also includes the Sport. We often work with with practical, concrete examples, best practices as inspiration as well as checklists, instructions and guidelines. In this way, we create orientation and a basis for motivating athletes, officials, club members, visitors, employees of the sports centre, etc.
In this blog post, we share our knowledge and our collection for Sustainability in sport. We show and link easy-to-use aids, recommend guidelines and provide practical positive examples of sustainability in sport or the development of sustainable sports clubs. For further areas and sectors, it is worth taking a look at our compilation of further blog posts.
Content in this article: Sustainability in sport, sustainable club and sports facilities
- Collection of sustainability tips in sport
- Positive examples of sustainability in sport
- A strategic approach to sustainability in sport
- Conclusion: From small measures to the big picture
Methods and best practice for sustainability in your mailbox

Sustainability in sport, sustainable clubhouses and sports facilities
Organised sport in Germany is huge. This includes countless clubs and members, sports facilities and, of course, the people involved in sport themselves. There are also numerous associated players (Stakeholders) such as relatives of the athletes, spectators, sponsors, supporting members, media, umbrella organisations and many more.

The sporting offers and sporting activities of the people directly contribute to a central theme of social sustainability: Health and fitness. If we broaden our view to include all dimensions of sustainability, other topics quickly come into focus. Examples include inclusive and peaceful coexistence through sportsmanship and competition, gender equality and the question of responsible purchasing of sports equipment and jerseys. Ecological issues arise from the use of land and water and travelling to competitions often has a significant impact on the climate. In terms of sustainability, club management should also be considered: For example, sustainable finances, transparency, leadership at eye level and participation of members and other stakeholders are important topics here.
We have compiled the following examples and assistance to promote sustainability in sport:
Collection of sustainability tips
- Checklist for sustainability measures: The State Sports Association of Lower Saxony has Checklist with Sustainability measures in sports clubs created. The various approaches are linked to the global sustainability goals (SDG) is linked.
- Collection of ideas for sustainability measures: In the blogs of the commercial provider Re-Athlete there is Numerous tips and ideas for sustainable behaviour. These include, for example, electricity supply, carpooling, sustainability in the clubhouse and on the club premises.
- Saving resources, protecting the environment: The Bavarian Football Association offers linked here many Tips for saving energy and environmentally friendly sports operations (e.g. sustainable lawn care), and not only football clubs can benefit from this.
Positive examples of sustainability in sport
- Best practice and project ideas: One Collection of projects, team and club activities relating to sustainability offers the "ideas board" of the Vereinshelden website. There are approaches and ideas for every budget size.
- Social and ecological sustainability in sports clubs: The SV Rot-Weiß Viktoria from Berlin shows very vividly how one can Football club both social and ecological challenges in sport can make. The Landessportbund Berlin has made a video available:
- Ecological sustainability in youth and amateur football: Here, another club from Berlin can be Positive example be named. The FC Internationale Berlin relies on PV systems, sustainable artificial turf, vegan stadium catering and jersey swap bazaars. A short portrait as inspiration is available as a video from WDR.
- Ecological role model in professional football: Here the Forest Green Rovers from England at the forefront. Driven by the club owner, they are planning a new stadium made of wood, experimenting with fertiliser made from fans' urine and feeding their footballers vegan food - with positive effects on their fitness and environmental balance. The ZDF Sportstudio reports on it.
A strategic approach to sustainability in sport
- Guidelines for strategic fields of action: A Guidelines for the development of holistic sustainability strategies provides the N!-Charta Sport. Twelve fields of action with specific topics relating to sustainability in club sport are highlighted here.
- Sustainability consistently pursued: A good example of a Sustainability strategy in amateur sport The football club Internationale Berlin 1980 offers the following on its website Comprehensive and easy to understand his Sustainability approach, objectives and the procedure to date was shown. ZDF also reported on this (Video linked) and thus publicises the association and its commitment to sustainability. The linked ZDF website provides further relevant information, Twelve concrete approaches to sustainability in the sports club.
This collection will be added to on an ongoing basis. If you have other good collections of examples or guidelines for sustainability in sport or for sustainable sports facilities, please write to me!

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Steve Grundig
Sustainability in human resources and corporate culture
Conclusion: From small measures to a holistic sustainability strategy in sport
For more Sustainability in the clubhouse or sustainable sports operations it is worth taking a look at our earlier article: Sustainability in the office - 26 tips from simple to comprehensive. In addition to this collection, we ourselves have a own guide created how to A step-by-step sustainability strategy in organisations for the common good is implemented. These guidelines can also be applied to sports facilities.
With this in mind, this article can be understood and used as motivation through examples, orientation for a course of action and a source of inspiration. It is important to us that you take action yourself and examine where and how sustainability can be integrated into your own organisation (in operations and club life) and in core processes (in sports programmes and activities). Ultimately, this can be implemented through structured sustainability measures and even a holistic sustainability strategy.
If you have any questions or are looking for active support, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Further contributions:
- Ecological sustainability in cultural institutions: Tips for action for theatres, operas and exhibition spaces
- Sustainability in art and culture - our collection of tips, guidelines and aids
- Step-by-step guide for a sustainability strategy in social and community-orientated institutions
- Tips, help, guidelines: Sustainability in social institutions such as schools, care facilities and daycare centres
- Climate calculator in comparison