S2:E5. Learnings Not Lost

Emergency on Planet Sport

Sporting major events come and go; they pop up in one place, disappear and then return somewhere completely different, usually four years later. So how does this distinctly unsustainable operation have a lasting legacy? How do we make sure “learnings are not lost”. We visit the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to speak to their sustainability team; Jess Fidler and Jo Leigh. They really want their lessons, positive and negative, to be passed on to future events in a caring, sharing way. Consultant Amanda Curtis joins the pod to continue the theme of passing on learnings; she worked for London 2012 but also has perspective from other sectors after a career in retail. And some strong thoughts from Amanda and Melissa on the danger of offsetting. Plus Jonathan ranting about a car park. All the good stuff.

Time Codes:

01:30 We set out the "learnings not lost" concept when it comes to major events.

02:40. Jonathan's on, what he calls "a grassy knoll". Whatever that is. More relevantly, he's in Birmingham at the Commonwealth Games.

03:40. Hello to Jessica Fidler and Jo Leigh, from the Birmingham 2022 sustainability team. Jess sets out the ambitions.

04:30. Jo outlines some of the specific missions to deliver on the sustainability pledges.

06:40. Spectator transport accounts for a huge proportion of the Games' carbon footprint. It's the 'big stuff which makes the major impact', observes Jonathan.

07:50. So the post-event analysis is important: "We need to be transparent with our learnings" says Jess. They want to share and reach out, 'to make sure the learnings don't get lost' adds Jo.

09:30. A free-to-access carbon-literacy resource will be available through the Birmingham 2022 website, to help different sectors understand the carbon legacy and get an official certification.

11:15. Athlete engagement has involved work with Athletes of the World. Melissa tells us more... it's about making them feel confident about speaking credibly on these issues.

15:15. Melissa's analysis on the percentage of carbon emissions created by spectator transport.

16:15. Jonathan rants about the NEC car parks, not for the first time. Can we take some bigger decisions in the future?

17:45. Welcome to Amanda Curtis: sustainability manager at London 2012 and sustainability consultant for many governing bodies.

19:15. She talks about sustainability being embedded in the major event bid process.

22:10. Amanda shares some of her experiences of lesson-sharing in retail; sport has a long way to go..

25:00. Melissa wants to emphasise how offsetting is not a solution. Amanda agrees; it's about reduction not offsetting.

28:20. Amanda says 'it's about being bold, about taking risks'. The big changes will make a difference.

30:15. The thorny issue of high-polluting sponsors. Melissa gets straight to the point...

33:00. Thanks to Amanda Curtis. Melissa reflects on the 'outside perspective'...

35:20. Back to Birmingham and more from Jo Leigh, former GB International Hockey player. What's her view on the future of major events?

36:50. Jo wants a climate-centric games in the future; Jonathan goes on about the car park again. Thankfully Jo agrees.

39:15. A final thought as Jo considers her athlete friends. Are more willing to engage in the conversation now, compared with Rio 2016?

41:00. A big few years ahead for Australia in terms of major events!

A NinetyFour19 production.