SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CONTEXT OF SPORTING EVENTS
There are various models that can be used to operationalise and visualise the concept of sustainability in sports events. The original model is the three-pillar model or triple bottom line, which divides sustainability into three dimensions: the ecological, the economic and the social. The aim of this model is to create a balance between these pillars in order to ensure long-term sustainability.
A similar variant is the ‘Planet, People, Profit’ model, which follows the same basic structure, emphasising environmental protection (Planet), social justice (People) and economic prosperity (Profit).
The 5P model of sustainability is a broader concept that was developed in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It emphasises five central dimensions that serve as integrative principles for sustainable development: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. These five dimensions are at the centre of global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
DONUT MODEL
Kate Raworth's donut model offers a broader perspective for integrating sustainability into sporting events. The ‘safe and just space’ between social foundations (e.g. access to sports, equality, health) and planetary boundaries (e.g. resource consumption, CO₂ emissions from sporting events) shows how sport can promote both social and ecological goals.
The model is relevant for sporting events when promoting participation and equal opportunities, while at the same time minimising environmental impacts, for example from infrastructure or mobility. It provides a clear framework for making events more sustainable and fairer.
WEDDING CAKE MODEL
The Wedding Cake Model, developed by the Stockholm Resilience Centre, illustrates that society and the economy can only function sustainably within ecological limits. Applied to sports events, it offers a systemic perspective on the interactions between event-related activities, social objectives and ecological challenges.
The biosphere forms the basis of the model and encompasses natural resources such as intact ecosystems and clean water. Sports events can only survive in the long term if ecological limits such as climate change and biodiversity are taken into account. One example is the reduction of CO₂ emissions through environmentally friendly mobility and sustainable sports facilities.
The social dimension emphasises health, inclusion and equal opportunities in sport. These are only possible if ecological conditions are stable. The economic level includes financial aspects, such as the revenue and added value of sporting events. These depend directly on stable social and ecological conditions.
The Wedding Cake Model helps to understand the interactions between the dimensions in sport and supports the prioritisation of sustainable measures such as climate-neutral stadiums or environmentally friendly mobility. It contributes to the promotion of sustainable development in sport at both the global and local level.
UNDERSTANDING
Sporting events are faced with the challenge of actively contributing to a sustainable future and breaking new ground. This transformation process requires both knowledge and a willingness to learn. The pressure to improve sustainability at events is increasingly being transferred from external factors to sports organisations, which increases the demands on their sustainability performance. At the same time, there is often a lack of resources, time and specific skills to meet these demands. Under these conditions, the motivation for the transformation process can be compromised.
The key to a successful transformation lies in co-creation, which is created through a shared understanding and close collaboration between all stakeholders. The change will be successful if it leads to a new self-understanding in sports events, where ecological responsibility and social justice are not just goals, but integral parts of the core strategy and culture of the events.