Games go green

Sports events are pushing for sustainable initiatives

- VAISHALI DAR

The world's biggest sporting events have often been criticised for their impact on the environment. For instance, the Olympic Games last year in Paris promised they would be the greenest in history. The organisers said the Games ran entirely on renewable energy, featuring mostly locally grown food and reduced use of single-use plastic. The organisers had initially planned to minimise air conditioning use to reduce the carbon footprint of the event, but that misfired, with many countries having to dispatch portable air conditioners for their contingents.

However, many sporting events are taking positive steps to become environmentally friendly. Like this year's IPL. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is the only T20 franchise in the world to be carbon-neutral. Their 'Go Green' initiative ensures that the team every IPL season plays one match in a green jersey instead of their usual red kit. The jersey is made from recycled waste collected from their home stadium.

This year, RCB wore green against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium.