World Rugby has recently published a detailed report examining the wide-ranging impact of the Rugby World Cup 2023, shedding light on its environmental, economic, and social effects. This is the first occasion on which the report has included data specific to the environmental impact of the tournament.
Since the commencement of the bidding process in 2017, France 2023 has been resolute in its dedication to minimizing the event’s environmental footprint. This approach was motivated in large part by the expectations of 54% of spectators, who expressed a desire for the organizers to implement significant measures to reduce the tournament’s environmental impact.
The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the event’s carbon footprint, which is estimated to be approximately 830,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. An overwhelming 86% of greenhouse gas emissions were attributed to the travel undertaken by international visitors. Nevertheless, the report highlights that the carbon footprint is 3.4 times less than that of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament and 4.4 times less than the FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The organizers played a pivotal role in mitigating the environmental impact of the Rugby World Cup by choosing to utilize existing facilities and infrastructure for all tournament operations. This decision was made in the early planning phase and contributed to keeping emissions at the lowest possible level. Notably, no new construction was required, and all tournament venues, including stadiums and team base camps, were repurposed for the event.
Transportation is responsible for a staggering 94% of all emissions. France 2023 focused extensively on implementing low-carbon mobility plans for both teams and fans within the country. The report commends the decision to require participating teams to utilize train or bus for journeys under five and a half hours, with 56% of all team mileage being covered using these modes of transport.
Additionally, the organizers emphasized rail and public transport for fan travel within France and its host cities. As a result, 84% of in-city fan travel was through low-carbon mobility, highlighting the positive influence the Rugby World Cup can have on promoting sustainable behavioral changes.
World Rugby also implemented various initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of its own operations. This included the use of 100% biofuel made from rapeseed oil to power secondary generators at match venues, resulting in a 64% reduction in emissions compared to traditional fuels. Furthermore, France 2023 has initiated a tender process to identify carbon sink projects to absorb a portion of the emissions generated by the tournament.
To further offset its carbon footprint, France 2023 has funded a program to support national and international projects aimed at absorbing carbon emissions. The program, bolstered by a variety of stakeholders including France 2023, World Rugby, and other sponsors, aims to absorb 100,000 tons of CO2 equivalent.
Sport for Business, in partnership with SSE Airtricity, has established a Sustainability Leadership Group to explore potential collaborations and areas of mutual interest over the next three years. This initiative aims to drive sustainable practices and promote environmental responsibility within the sports industry.
In light of these efforts, it is clear that France 2023 and World Rugby have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the environmental impact of the Rugby World Cup 2023, setting a positive example for future sporting events.