In the league of a greener future, technology is the sports industry’s star player, where scoring sustainability goals is as thrilling as the game itself, says William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and General Manager for International Industry Solutions.
In recent years, the sports industry has emerged as an influential player in the global sustainability arena. In its report, Deloitte identifies environmental sustainability as a decisive factor that will shape the sports industry by 2030, driving the adoption of innovative practices that offer competitive advantages and attract eco-conscious partners.
Recognised by the United Nations as a vital contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the sports world is now setting the pace for environmental responsibility. With the Paris 2024 Games pioneering alignment with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the industry is poised to showcase how tech innovations can lead the way in sustainable practices.
The sports industry’s commitment to sustainability is more than a fad, though; it’s a necessary evolution in a world increasingly aware of its environmental footprint. However, achieving these green goals is a complex challenge. This is where technological innovation steps in as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). It’s also in line with our commitment to supporting the sports industry and events with innovative AI solutions and trustworthy cloud technologies.
Sustainability Through Technological Innovation
Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics have already proven their worth by enhancing athletes’ performance and positively redefining fan engagement. Coaches utilise AI to create personalised training regimes while minimising the risk of injury, while media organisations are leveraging AI to streamline content creation and curation saving time and resources. Looking ahead, AI’s capacity to analyse digital assets will help sports organisations mine insights and repurpose content across multiple channels, enhancing fan experiences while promoting sustainability narratives.
But the influence of technology in advancing sustainability goals extends far beyond the playing field. Let’s examine how leading solutions are being deployed in practical and high-impact scenarios:
Precision Eco-Impact Analytics with AI: Harnessing AI enables meticulous assessment and mitigation of the environmental footprint of sports events, providing data-driven insights for strategic carbon management. AI-driven sustainability platforms applied during the first ever Olympic Esports Week in Singapore last year, are breaking new ground in quantifying the environmental impact of sporting events. By measuring and analysing the carbon emissions from temporary constructions, these platforms enable organisers to make insightful decisions that reduce the ecological footprint of major events.
Eco-Efficient Cloud Transformation for Mega Sports Events: A willingness to adopt a transformative approach that leverages cloud technologies to slash the carbon footprint of major sporting events, has also simultaneously enhanced operational efficiency and extended media reach. The Hangzhou Asian Games was the launch event for core systems being hosted on the cloud, which powered essential operational systems, results dissemination, and event management, resulting in a reduction of physical resources and a sustainable overall infrastructure for the event. The Olympics Winter Games Beijing 2022 expanded the use of a cloud-based live content delivery platform, initially piloted in Tokyo 2020, making the Games more accessible to broadcasters around the world with reduced carbon footprint.
Green Rewards for Sustainable Actions: An innovative incentive system rewards eco-friendly behaviors among event participants and spectators, fostering an environmentally responsible community culture. A specially-designed sustainable lifestyle tool introduced at the Hangzhou Asian Games exemplifies how technology can encourage environmentally responsible behavior. By rewarding eco-friendly choices with tangible benefits, such as carbon points, the industry can foster a culture of sustainability among participants and spectators alike.
Interactive Green Playbook for Fans and Organisers: Sports federations and fans are empowered with state-of-the-art, cloud-powered sustainability toolkits that make environmental responsibility an engaging and educational aspect of the sporting experience. Organisations like the International Canoe Federation and the World Baseball Softball Confederation are harnessing cloud technology to create sustainability toolkits and enhance fan experiences. These toolkits assist organisers in adopting renewable energy and sustainable event management practices. Moreover, by infusing sustainability messaging into the fan experience through gamification, these organisations are making environmental responsibility an engaging component of the sporting experience.
Toward a Sustainable Future in Sports: The sports industry’s embrace of technology is unlocking new possibilities for achieving sustainability goals. Through innovative applications of AI, cloud computing, and digital engagement tools, the industry is proving that environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with a winning performance. As we race towards a greener future, the sports sector stands as a testament to how embracing technology is not just a strategic move—it’s a necessary leap towards a sustainable planet for all.
As the journey towards a greener future continues, the sports industry is solidifying its position as a leader in sustainability. By making strategic use of technology, it is scoring goals for both the planet and the future of sports. The message is clear: sustainability and performance are not mutually exclusive; they are co-drivers of an industry that champions the wellbeing of our world as much as the thrill of the game.
About the Author
William Xiong is Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and General Manager for International Industry Solutions. Alibaba Cloud, founded in 2009, is a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, providing services to thousands of enterprises, developers, and governments organizations in more than 200 countries and regions. Committed to the success of its customers, Alibaba Cloud provides reliable and secure cloud computing and data processing capabilities as a part of its online solutions. In January 2017, Alibaba Cloud became the official cloud services partner of the Olympics.
Featured image: Adobe
