An ECI scientist is coauthor of a report designed to help people working in sports organisations understand key areas which can help and hinder climate engagement and action.

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Dr Sam Hampton, Acting Energy Programme Deputy Lead at the ECI, and Research Fellow at the University of Bath, is one of the authors of the report: ‘What’s Stopping Us? Applying psychology to accelerate climate action in sport’ published by Sport Positive, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (NFCCC) Sports for Climate Action and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST).

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Lead author Briony Latter, Researcher at CAST at Cardiff University, said:

The report brings together existing climate research from psychology and insights from interviews with sportspeople and organisations. 

 

Sport is a powerful sector but is not yet realising its potential to lead on climate action. We make recommendations, including thinking more expansively about sport's contribution to climate action across multiple roles as emitters, hosts, advocates, communities and influencers.”

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Roberto Trombetta

Dr Sam Hampton said: G

Given its enormous following, sport has the potential to raise the profile of climate action across the world, and to reach diverse communities. The industry is not yet fulfilling its potential, and we explore how barriers can be overcome, enabling sports organisations and athletes to become climate advocates”.

The report’s other authors are Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh, Professor of Environmental Psychology at the University of Bath and also Director of CAST and Kate Sambrook, Research Associate at the University of Manchester.

Read the report in full: What’s Stopping Us? Applying psychology to accelerate climate action in sport