REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SUSTAINABLE STADIUM DESIGN

A new report, Engineering better sports venues: Designing for athletes, spectators and the environment, has been released, exploring how sports venues can reduce carbon emissions, improve the experience for athletes and spectators, and be accessible to all.  

The report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers highlights the role engineers, working together with architects, governments and sports organisations, play in creating venues that are not only sustainable but also inclusive for all users.

In a statement the publishers said, "As sport grows in popularity, so does its environmental footprint. Mega sporting events continue to captivate global audiences, accelerating the demand for large-scale venues. 

"This growth comes with a significant environmental cost, with the global sports industry contributing an estimated 350 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually - approximately one percent of global carbon emissions.

"As well as being important for health and well-being, sport can help build stronger communities by bringing people of all backgrounds together to watch and take part at all levels of sport."

Ruth Shilston, Fellow of the Institution and co-author of the report, added, “As engineers, we’re passionate about bringing our creativity and expertise to create better outcomes. With the climate emergency arguably one of the most pertinent challenges of our time, impacting spectators and athletes globally, we have a fundamental role to play in the creation of sporting venues which are inclusive, sustainable, and resilient to a changing climate.” 

The report’s recommendations for improving sports venues include:

• Cutting emissions: Sports venues should aim to cut emissions across the entire supply chain, from construction to operations. The report highlights the leadership role of large venues in helping smaller clubs and grassroots organisations adopt decarbonisation strategies. It calls for incentives for public and active transport to sporting events, reducing the carbon impact of getting to and from venues.
• Venues for tomorrow - flexible and sustainable: The report calls for greater use of hybrid, temporary, or portable venues to reduce sport’s environmental footprint. Retrofits of existing venues should look to increase usage, making investments more sustainable and cost effective.
• One size does NOT fit all - inclusive design: A call for a consistent framework for inclusive sports venue design. This report urges collaboration between architects, engineers and disabled communities to create spaces that are truly accessible for everyone.
• Tailoring comfort to all: Sports venues should rethink thermal comfort, ensuring they cater to the needs of spectators and athletes – from different ages to abilities. Smart tech like sensors and AI can optimize comfort, not just for athletes, but for fans as well.
• Transparency Leads to Accountability: The report pushes for governments and sports organisations to implement more stringent requirements and greater transparency on the environmental impact of sports venues. Public reporting of emissions and the energy performance of sports venues will drive accountability and progress.
• Powering Innovation - Funding for the Future: The report highlights the need for more research funding in sustainable and inclusive venue technologies, ensuring that solutions for elite stadiums can trickle down to community venues. 

You can access the report here.