The exceptional summer of sport we are enjoying has been as hot as the weather.
We’re barely halfway through July and it has already been an extraordinary year of weather records. Our spring was the warmest and sunniest on record. June became the warmest month ever recorded in England, and we’ve already passed through our third heatwave of the year. As we have warned before, extreme heat is a significant and growing challenge for competitors, spectators and organisers at our biggest events.
But the extent to which sustainability has been placed at the forefront of our most celebrated sporting spectacles has been equally exceptional. Behind the headlines, world-class venues and governing bodies are working to reduce emissions, cut waste, protect nature, and engage fans in the urgent challenge of building a more sustainable future for sport.
BASIS wants to celebrate this work – not just as necessary, but as something to be proud of.
Wimbledon: Serving Sustainability at the Championships
In Iga Swiatek and Jannick Sinner, the wonderful 2025 Championships served up two first-time singles winners – but The All England Club’s sustainability strategy has been as carefully crafted as both players’ route to glory. From its commitment to achieving net zero operational emissions by 2030 to innovations like 100% renewable electricity, fully electric courtesy cars, and a bold push towards waste reduction and sustainable sourcing, Wimbledon is setting the standard for greener Grand Slams. And anyone lucky enough to attend the Championships can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity of their iconic grounds, and the embracing of nature to improve the spectator experience and protect the planet for future generations.
Silverstone: Racing Towards Net Zero
We saw Britain’s Lando Norris claim his first home win in a chaotic, dramatic, rain-affected British Grand Prix. But we’ve also seen how Silverstone’s sustainability journey has gathered real speed. The circuit is targeting net zero by 2030, with tangible progress in energy, waste, and transport. From renewable energy powering the site to a new fleet of electric shuttles and a zero-to-landfill waste approach, Silverstone’s leadership shows that even the fastest sport on earth can be a platform for climate action. The work extends beyond Formula 1 too, as Silverstone commits to wider community engagement and education.
The Open: A Greener Game at Royal Portrush
This weekend, the world’s best golfers descend on Northern Ireland for the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, a venue not only famed for its stunning coastal scenery but also certified for its sustainability leadership. The R&A’s ‘Golf Course 2030’ strategy reflects a clear-eyed commitment to climate resilience and responsible resource management across golf, and Royal Portrush itself has been recognised for its focus on habitat protection, efficient irrigation, and low-input turf management. As home favourite Rory McIlroy tries to add the Claret Jug to the Green Jacket he won in April, the course they play on will quietly tell a story of environmental stewardship.
Cricket at Lord’s: Greening the Home of Cricket
Meanwhile, at Lord’s Cricket Ground, we saw a barely-believable conclusion to the third test of a captivating series – as Shoaib Bashir ended India’s stubborn resistance despite a badly broken finger, after breathtaking displays from Captain Ben Stokes and the returning Jofra Archer. It was a test match for the ages, at a venue where sustainability has become a watchword. The Home of Cricket runs on 100% renewable energy and has reduced water usage through harvesting and efficient systems. On match days, a zero-waste-to-landfill policy operates, while initiatives like reusable cups and sustainable catering choices help ensure that the tradition of cricket is matched by a commitment to change. The MCC’s work signals that heritage and sustainability can – and must – go hand in hand. With Edgbaston having hosted the second match in the series, and the fifth test at the Oval – all overseen by the ECB – it’s wonderful to see BASIS members at the heart of the action.
Women’s Football: Voices for Change
England’s Lionesses are fighting to retain their European title this summer, but they’re also emerging as champions of another kind: climate action. Players have spoken powerfully about their concerns for the future, highlighting the link between climate change and the wellbeing of both communities and the game itself. Their message is simple: sport can no longer ignore the climate crisis – and athletes can help lead the way.
A Summer to Celebrate – and Reflect
Our summer of sport is about more than victories and rivalries. It’s a moment to celebrate the organisers, clubs, and athletes taking real action to make sport part of the solution to our environmental challenges.
The power of sport to inspire change is one of BASIS’ organising principles. Whether you’re at Silverstone, SW19, Portrush, Lord’s, cheering the Lionesses from home – or whether you’re one of the millions of people participating in sport in communities across the country – take a moment to reflect not just on the joy these events bring, but on the quiet, determined work being done behind the scenes to secure their future. Because a sustainable summer of sport is a summer worth enjoying and cherishing.
