Financial implications of climate change on grassroots sport

Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) commissioned an assessment of the financial and environmental challenges climate change poses to grassroots sport in the UK.

The research analysed the impacts of grassroots sport on the environment (strand 1) and the current and potential future impacts of climate change on grassroots sport (strand 2). It also explored the opportunities for reducing the impact that grassroots sport has on the environment, as well as adaptations that can be made to ensure the sector’s long-term environmental and financial sustainability (strand 3).

A mixed-methods approach was used to provide a breadth of robust evidence assessing the relationships between climate change and grassroots sport. The study began with a literature review, with identified evidence gaps addressed through 20 stakeholder interviews with national governing bodies (NGBs) and grassroots sport organisations. In parallel, a system-wide carbon and financial model was developed to quantify both the impact of grassroots sport on the environment and the financial impact that climate change is likely to have on grassroots sport clubs.

Read the report