From Awareness to Leading Change: The Evolution and Characteristics of Environmental Sustainability in Sports Organizations

Environmental sustainability is a globally recognized and crucial issue, and sports organizations play a vital role in driving sustainable development within the sports sector. This study examines the developmental trajectories of international sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee(IOC) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association(FIFA),as well as national sports organizations in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa, in terms of their commitment to environmental sustainability. It identifies four distinct stages in the environmental sustainability efforts of sports organizations:establishing environmental awareness and initiating preliminary actions, responding to external pressures for legitimacy,institutionalizing and standardizing environmental strategies, and exploring best practices to drive societal change. Furthermore, this study highlights the challenges faced by sports organizations in their pursuit of environmental sustainability and proposes strategies to address them, such as fostering balanced stakeholder relationships, seeking recognized environmental certifications, and establishing collaborative partnerships with environmental organizations.