Grassroots Sport on the Frontline of Climate Change
Grassroots sport has long been the heartbeat of communities, but new research highlights just how exposed it is to the realities of a changing climate.
Alma Economics, commissioned by the UK Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), has released a comprehensive study examining the environmental and financial challenges climate change poses to grassroots sport. The findings point to both urgent risks — and critical opportunities.
Three Key Strands of the Research
The study investigated:
The impact of grassroots sport on the environment — from energy use and travel, to facilities and resource demands.
The impact of climate change on grassroots sport — from extreme weather events disrupting fixtures, to rising costs of maintenance and repair.
Opportunities for adaptation and sustainability — outlining how clubs can both reduce their footprint and build resilience for the future.
Using a mixed-methods approach, including a literature review, 20 stakeholder interviews with governing bodies and grassroots organisations, and a system-wide carbon and financial model, the report provides one of the most detailed pictures yet of the two-way relationship between climate change and grassroots sport.
Why This Matters for Sport Globally
While the research is UK-based, the implications are universal. Across Australia and the Asia-Pacific, community sport faces similar pressures: heatwaves forcing cancellations, floods damaging facilities, and rising insurance and repair costs stretching already tight budgets. At the same time, grassroots clubs contribute to emissions and resource use — meaning they also have a role to play in reducing impacts.
A Call to Action
The message is clear: grassroots sport cannot afford to stand still. By embracing adaptation and embedding environmental sustainability, the sector can protect the community spaces we rely on — and ensure they remain vibrant, safe, and accessible in the decades to come.
At SEA, we see this research as another critical reminder that climate change is not a distant issue. It is here, and it is already shaping the future of sport. What’s encouraging is that solutions exist — from facility design and energy efficiency, to nature-based infrastructure and smarter scheduling.
You can read the full report here