From the roar of the racetrack to the thrill of the pitch, here are the top sustainable sports organisations championing change in 2024.
While sports provide entertainment and competition, their ability to transcend differences can make them a powerful force for good. This shared passion, regardless of background or belief, can unite people both in the stands and beyond the playing field. Recognising this potential, non-profit organisations like the Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sport (GSBS) work to promote responsible practices within the industry.
GSBS annually ranks professional sports organisations based on various sustainability criteria, to highlight those leading the way in environmental and social responsibility, demonstrating how sports can positively impact the world beyond the final score.
Below, we list the top 10 sustainable sports organisations in 2024.
10. LaLiga
LaLiga, the premier professional football league in Spain, boasts a rich history dating back to 1928. Comprised of 20 teams, it captivates millions worldwide, cementing its place as one of the most popular football leagues on the planet. However, beyond the electrifying matches and iconic stars, LaLiga is also embarking on a crucial journey towards environmental sustainability.
While the league excels across various areas, its environmental score of 31% remains a point of focus. Recognising this, LaLiga launched its first environmental sustainability challenge in Benelux in 2023.
This innovative pitch day event empowered nine regional companies to showcase their sustainability projects to LaLiga clubs. The challenge targeted key areas like energy use, waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable construction, aiming to integrate these practices into everyday operations.
You can learn more about LaLiga’s sustainability strategy here.
9. McLaren Racing
McLaren Racing, founded in 1963, is a British powerhouse in motorsports, boasting victories across Formula One, Formula E, Extreme E, and IndyCar. With 20 Formula One and 12 IndyCar championships under their belt, their legacy speaks for itself.
Aiming for net zero by 2040, the team has already achieved a 22% emissions cut, saved enough electricity for 100 UK homes, and slashed construction waste by 19%. Their platform educates on climate action, while daily actions like eliminating single-use plastics and food waste have saved thousands of coffee cups and meals.
You can learn more about McLaren Racing’s sustainability strategy here.
8. FC Barcelona
More than just a football giant, FC Barcelona, founded in 1899, is a global powerhouse with a rich trophy cabinet: 26 La Liga titles, 31 Copa del Rey wins, and 5 Champions League triumphs (at the time of writing) solidify their legendary status. But beyond the pitch, Barça is committed to building a greener future.
As a signatory to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, environmental action is a top priority. Their Espai Barça complex holds a BREEAM certificate for its sustainable design, while initiatives like LED lighting and renewable energy sources minimise their environmental impact. By continuously focusing on reducing energy, water, and waste, Barça demonstrates its dedication to a cleaner future for all.
You can learn more about FC Barcelona’s sustainability strategy here.
7. Extreme E
Extreme E, launched in 2019, is an electric off-road racing series with a dual mission: electrifying racing and advocating for sustainability. Its unique format features all-electric SUV races held in remote locations impacted by climate change, raising awareness through competition. From the Arctic tundra to the Senegalese coastline, each event highlights environmental concerns specific to the region.
Committed to minimising its own footprint, Extreme E is the first carbon-neutral motorsport series on our list of top sustainable sports organisations, achieving UN climate action signatory status. Innovation is central, with tires composed of recycled materials and partnerships like the one with Vodafone to deploy fire prevention sensors in wildfire-affected regions. More than just racing, Extreme E actively contributes to environmental solutions while pushing the boundaries of green technology in motorsport.
You can learn more about Extreme E’s sustainability strategy here.
6. Dorna Sports
Dorna Sports, a global leader in motorcycle racing organisation, champions sustainability throughout its operations. Recognised for organising premier championships like MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3, Dorna acknowledges the environmental and social impact of its activities.
To address this, Dorna has implemented a comprehensive sustainable management system aligned with the ISO 20121 standard. This system focuses on key stakeholders like circuits, partners, suppliers, teams, and service companies, aiming to minimise their environmental footprint and maximise positive social contributions.
You can learn more about Dorna Sports’s sustainability strategy here.
5. Atlético de Madrid
Founded in 1903, Atlético de Madrid is a decorated Spanish football club boasting 11 La Liga titles, 10 Copa del Rey trophies, and European triumphs in the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. Renowned for its passionate fanbase, the club recently earned high marks for its sustainability efforts.
Halfway through our list of the top sustainable sports organisations in 2024, Atlético’s commitment to environmental responsibility extends beyond their modern stadium’s energy-efficient lighting. Partnerships with renewable energy providers and social initiatives through the Atlético de Madrid Foundation demonstrate their dedication to a greener and more inclusive future. While their ranking may suggest room for improvement, Atlético’s sustainability efforts are undoubtedly noteworthy.
You can learn more about Atlético de Madrid’s sustainability strategy here.
4. VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a German professional football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. The club was founded in 1945 and has won one Bundesliga title, one DFB-Pokal, two Supercups, and one Intertoto Cup. VfL Wolfsburg is one of the most successful football clubs in Germany and has a large fanbase.
Achieving a total score of 75%, Wolfsburg also managed to take the top spot in Corporate Governance.
VfL Wolfsburg’s impact extends beyond the pitch. They have emerged as a leader in climate action within German football. By joining initiatives like Sports for Climate Action and the UN’s Race to Zero, they have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2025. They have implemented various sustainability measures, from switching to LED floodlights to offering electric vehicle charging stations. Notably, they partnered with Yook, a start-up that calculates and visualises carbon footprints for orders, further demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility.
You can learn more about VfL Wolfsburg’s sustainability strategy here.
3. FC Porto
FC Porto is a Portuguese professional football club based in Porto. The club was founded in 1893 and has won 28 Primeira Liga titles, 16 Taça de Portugal trophies, four Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira titles, two European Cups, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup. FC Porto is one of the most successful football clubs in Portugal and has a large fanbase.
Porto’s efforts extend beyond the stadium walls, actively engaging fans in making a difference. Gone are the days of wasted food and drinks; now, dedicated boxes collect discards, with sealed items donated to institutions supporting the less fortunate.
The club’s Zero Hunger Campaign rallied fans and players, gathering over 7,000 food products for those in need. Further demonstrating their commitment, Porto launched a special campaign after devastating forest fires struck the region, channelling support to affected communities.
2. Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund is a German professional football club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was founded in 1909 and has won eight German championships, five DFB-Pokals, one UEFA Champions League title, and one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. Borussia Dortmund is one of the most popular football clubs in Germany and has a large fanbase worldwide.
Dortmund achieved an overall score of 81% in the GSBS, tying with the last entry on this list. It also took the Best ENVIRONMENTAL Performance award.
From solar panels to LED lighting, Dortmund is going green. The club champions sustainability throughout its operations, leveraging renewables, eco-friendly infrastructure, and smart technologies to minimise environmental impact and build a greener future, both within the stadium and beyond.
You can learn more about Borussia Dortmund’s sustainability strategy here.
1. Formula E
Formula E is a class of motorsport that uses electric-powered cars. It was founded in 2012 and is now the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater racing series. Formula E races are held on temporary street circuits in major cities around the world. The series is designed to promote the development and adoption of electric vehicles.
Formula E shared the highest overall rating with a score of 81% with the last contender on the list, topping the list of the top sustainable sports organisations in 2024 for a second year running. However, unlike Borussia Dortmund, it also took the awards for Best Corporate Performance, Best Social Performance, and Best Governance Performance.
Read next: Julia Pallé, Formula E: Driving a sustainable future in motorsport
In addition to their ranking in the GSBS, Formula E also topped the Sustainable Championships Index (SChI™), and the Sustainable Motorsport Index (SMI).
You can learn more about Formula E’s sustainability strategy here.
