Sustainable Sports: Values and Practices of a Club

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This specialization explores how sport can drive sustainable development, from environmental responsibility and climate action to social inclusion, governance, and long term impact. Across four applied courses, learners examine the academic foundations of sustainability, international frameworks, environmental and social challenges, and the strategic tools sport organizations use to respond to them. The curriculum integrates global standards, real world sport cases, and practical methodologies covering carbon footprint measurement, circular economy, inclusion, public health, impact assessment, and responsible governance. Through examples from clubs, federations, major events, and public institutions, learners understand how sustainability decisions are made, measured, and governed in practice. Developed for professionals working across sport, policy, events, and organizations, the specialization emphasizes applied strategy and decision making. Across each module, learners assess contexts, define priorities, select indicators, and design sustainability strategies. By completing the program, they gain an industry ready understanding of how sport can contribute meaningfully to environmental and social transitions while remaining resilient and credible.

Syllabus

Course 1: Academic Background
Course 2: Social sustainability
Course 3: Environmental sustainability
Course 4: Governing sustainability in the future

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This course introduces the fundamental concepts of sustainability and their relationship with sport in the context of today’s global challenges. Through conceptual frameworks and examples from the international sports ecosystem, learners will explore how environmental and social crises have driven the emergence of sustainable development and how these principles are applied in the world of sport today. From understanding planetary boundaries and social inequalities to examining the role of sport in human development, the course connects the theoretical foundations of sustainability with the reality of the sports sector. Throughout the lessons, you will discover the main international frameworks guiding global action, including the Sustainable Development Goals and international climate agreements. You will also learn how different actors in sport, such as federations, leagues, clubs, and major international events, are integrating sustainability commitments into their strategies. By the end of the course, you will understand the challenges, opportunities, and limitations of sustainability in sport, developing a critical perspective on how the sector can contribute to a broader transformation toward a sustainable future.
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This course explores how sport is connected to the major environmental challenges of the twenty first century, particularly climate change and pressure on natural resources. Through environmental perspectives and examples from the sports ecosystem, learners will analyze how sporting activities, infrastructure, and major events generate environmental impacts and how the sector can evolve toward more sustainable models. From understanding the carbon footprint of sport to exploring the role of the circular economy, the course connects global environmental challenges with the realities of sports organizations. Throughout the lessons, you will discover how climate change affects sport practice, how to measure and reduce the environmental footprint of sport, and how to protect the natural environments where many sports activities take place. You will also learn how to design and implement environmental strategies within sports organizations, from diagnosis and planning to monitoring and continuous improvement. By the end of the course, you will understand how to integrate environmental sustainability into sports management and contribute to a more responsible future for sport and the planet.
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This course explores how to govern and build sustainability strategies in sport in a rapidly changing global context. Through strategic perspectives and examples from the sports ecosystem, learners will analyze how social, technological, and climate changes are reshaping how sport is organized, consumed, and generates impact. From understanding emerging fan behaviors to assessing the role of innovation and data, the course connects future challenges with strategic decision making in sports organizations. Throughout the lessons, you will discover how to assess the sustainability context, define clear objectives, and select reliable indicators to measure progress. You will also learn how to integrate sustainability into governance structures, foster continuous improvement, and communicate responsibly and transparently. By the end of the course, you will understand how to develop robust sustainability strategies, build partnerships, and create new business models that allow sport to generate long term social, environmental, and economic value.
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This course explores the role of sport as a tool for promoting inclusion, health, and social cohesion in contemporary societies. Through social perspectives and examples from the sports ecosystem, learners will analyze how sport can contribute to equal opportunities, combat discrimination, and create spaces for participation for everyone. From gender equality and the inclusion of people with disabilities to the role of sport in social integration, the course connects today’s social challenges with the transformative potential of sport. Throughout the lessons, you will discover how sport can foster intercultural dialogue, strengthen community cohesion, and support education and community development initiatives. You will also learn how to promote active lifestyles, address public health challenges, and design social strategies within sports organizations. By the end of the course, you will understand how to develop sports initiatives with social impact, generate value for communities, and use sport as a driver of wellbeing, inclusion, and positive change.