The Climate of Sport

Claire Poole

The Climate of Sport is your weekly fast-take on the biggest stories in sport, through the lens of forces reshaping the game. From extreme weather to sustainability, and the business realities behind it, we break down what’s happening, what it means, and why it matters for sports organisations, athletes, leagues, sponsors, investors, fans and participants. Sport is entering a new era. Climate impacts are already affecting how events are played, scheduled, and delivered, while sustainability is becoming central to governance, funding, and commercial strategy. For those working in the sport ecosystem, investors, and leaders, understanding these shifts isn’t optional, it’s essential. This podcast gives you the context behind the headlines and a front-row seat to the biggest changes shaping the future of sport. Subscribe and download now. Get in touch at: hello@theclimateofsport.com, our website www.sportpositive.org/podcast or via our socials.   #TheClimateOfSport #SportPositive 

  1. 1d ago

    AI Sport Sponsorship, Mont Blanc Mountain Rescue & Changing Calendars

    This week's The Climate of Sport is all about evolving our thinking in new areas. Claire takes a deeper look at AI sponsorship in sport, and how it might be the new fossil fuel sponsorship, plus more climate impacts and adaptations happening across the world from Mont Blanc to Seoul.  Register for Sport Positive Summit now: www.sportpositivesummit.com Subscribe to Sport Positive's The Brief: www.sportpositive.org/#newsletter \\\ Story 1: Are sports organisations repeating the fossil-fuel sponsorship playbook with AI? Universities Are Now TEACHING Students to Use AI — Here's What Changed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhxJ5wYf3xo AI boom means US is now ‘investing more’ in fossil-fuel power than China - https://www.carbonbrief.org/ai-boom-means-us-is-now-investing-more-in-fossil-fuel-power-than-china?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Big tech’s lofty climate goals wrecked by energy-hungry AI - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/06/ai-climate-crisis?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email AI-driven productivity gains enable more CO₂ emissions than they avoid in a global energy–economy model - https://www.nature.com/articles/s44168-026-00411-0?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Story 2: Montblanc refuges closed in another climate impact on sport Mont Blanc Refuges Closed Due to Rockfall Danger - https://explorersweb.com/mont-blanc-refuges-closed-due-to-rockfall-danger/ Thirty-two Alpinists Ignore Mont Blanc Warnings, Are Denied Free Helicopter Rescue - https://explorersweb.com/thirty-two-alpinists-ignore-mont-blanc-warnings-are-denied-free-helicopter-rescue/ Story 3: South Korea players want K League season change due to ‘worsening climate’ South Korea players want K League season change due to ‘worsening climate’ - https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/8/14/south-korea-players-want-k-league-season-change-due-to-worsening-climate J.League Enters a New Era in Step with the World as the 2026/27 MEIJI YASUDA J.League Season Kicks Off - https://www.jleague.jp/en/news/article/34622/?navicode=j1 /// Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateofSport #sportpositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #FossilFuels #DataCentres #Montblac #Mountaineering #Rescue #Alpinist #SouthKorea #KLeague #Baseball #JLeague #Soccer #Football #climatechange #climatecrisis Support the show

  2. Aug 13

    Heat, Water & the Limits of Adaptation

    This week, on The Climate of Sport, Claire dives into how a changing climate is increasingly shaping where, when and how sport can take place. From drought to suspected heatstroke fatalities and water quality concerns, the realities of the climate crisis raise the question: how much can sport really adapt? Register for Sport Positive Summit now: www.sportpositivesummit.com Subscribe to Sport Positive's The Brief: www.sportpositive.org/#newsletter \\\ Story 1: Reality bites when adaptations in sport can only go so far. Scratch of the day: local football season postponed due to ‘rock hard’ pitches: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/08/scratch-of-the-day-local-football-season-postponed-due-to-rock-hard-pitches More areas of UK likely to move into drought as fifth heatwave builds: https://www.bbc.com/weather/articles/c9d8vwg0197o Story 2: Suspected heatstroke takes the life of another young athlete Fijian rugby player, 26, dies after suspected heatstroke at training in Japan: https://japantoday.com/category/sports/fijian-rugby-player-saimoni-vunilagi-26-dies-after-suspected-heatstroke-at-training-in-japan Rugby community gathers for funeral of Luqobo Makwedini after heatstroke tragedy in France: https://iol.co.za/news/2026-08-01-rugby-community-gathers-for-funeral-of-luqobo-makwedini-after-heatstroke-tragedy-in-france/ Story 3: European Aquatic Championship in the Seine. European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026, Open Water Swimming: https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/european-aquatics-championships-paris-2026-open-water-swimming/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX01UMVNJUEEwMDBQN0tGN0c Bettina Fábián's Instagram Story https://x.com/swimupdates/status/2069801898077802784?s=46 @Bettiifabian TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bettiifabian/video/7670618310454693142?is_from_webapp=1&web_id=7667089107188778518 European Aquatics Cancels Training Session in Seine River Amid Traces of Hydrocarbons: https://swimswam.com/european-aquatics-cancels-training-session-in-seine-river-amid-traces-of-hydrocarbons/ High divers take the plunge in the Seine in a new test of Paris’ reclaimed river: https://www.cp24.com/news/world/2026/08/08/high-divers-take-the-plunge-in-the-seine-in-a-new-test-of-paris-reclaimed-river/ /// Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateofSport #sportpositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #football #heatwave #drought #rugby #athlete #heatstroke #aquatics #openwatterswimming #Seine #waterquality Support the show

  3. Aug 6

    EPL Shirt Sponsors, Scorching Youth Sport & the 2030 Sustainable Games

    This week, on the Climate of Sport podcast, Claire uncovers what the Premier League's new sponsorship shift reveals about the ever-changing business of sport, extreme heat extending beyond professional sports to hit the grassroots level and Ahmedabad's plans for an ambitious 2030 Commonwealth Games. Register for Sport Positive Summit now: www.sportpositivesummit.com This week's Climate Hat-Trick stories: \\\ Story 1: Shirt Sponsor Shift. 2 Premier League Clubs Yet to Replace Gambling Shirt Sponsors After League-Wide Ban - https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2-premier-league-clubs-yet-to-replace-gambling-shirt-sponsors-after-league-wide-ban-171600071.html UK to crack down on unlicensed casinos sponsoring football teams -https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/12/uk-unlicensed-casinos-football-sponsorship-gambling-commission UK: EPL clubs announce kit betting sponsorships ahead of ban -https://sigma.world/news/epl-clubs-announce-betting-sponsorships-ahead-ban/ Story 2: The Ripples of Youth Sport High school football players endure triple-digit temperatures on first day of practice - https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2026-07-27/high-school-football-players-battle-through-triple-digit-temperatures Extreme Heat Is Rewriting The Rules Of Youth Sports - https://www.forbes.com/sites/we-dont-have-time/2026/07/28/extreme-heat-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-youth-sports/ It’s getting more dangerous for kids to play summer sports - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/07/its-getting-more-dangerous-for-kids-to-play-summer-sports/ Sport Participation for Academic Success: Evidence From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38141604/ Youth sports participation and health status in early adulthood: A 12-year follow-up - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32477851/ Health-related outcomes of youth sport participation: a systematic review and meta-analysis - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12220085/ Effects of Early Sport Participation on Self-esteem and Happiness - https://thesportjournal.org/article/effects-of-early-sport-participation-on-self-esteem-and-happiness/ How community football is helping youth stay out of trouble - https://www.positive.news/society/how-community-football-is-helping-youth-stay-out-of-trouble/ Story 3: India's Been Passed the Baton and They Are Keeping It Green Ahmedabad to set new benchmarks for accessibility, sustainability at 2030 Commonwealth Games - https://m.rediff.com/amp/sports/report/ahmedabad-2030-commonwealth-games-a-focus-on-accessibility-sustainability-and-infrastructure/20260803.htm /// Subscribe to Sport Positive's The Brief: www.sportpositive.org/#newsletter Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateofSport #sportpositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #football #EPL #PremierLeague #sponsorship #sport #sportsbiz #climatecrisis #heatwave #youthsport #health #safety #CommonwealthGames #Ahmedabad #India #sustainability #megasportsevents Support the show

  4. Jul 30

    The Price of Growth, Glasgow’s Less-Mega Games & Who Owns the Calendar?

    This week's climate hat-trick focuses on sport business growth, sponsorship and investment as well as event operations and logistics. Claire Poole explores FIFA’s $20 billion growth ambitions, how the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is showing us that the future of mega sports events might be less mega, and whether the existing sporting calendar needs to be rethought due to the impacts of the climate crisis – all through a climate lens. Sport Positive Awards 2026 Shortlists: https://awards.sportpositivesummit.com/ @gianni_infantino ‼️My message for all those who…‼️ https://www.instagram.com/p/DbRfdfdCFIS/ Ekaterina Alexandrova collapses on court amid 34C heat https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c80nk83k88vo Final stage of 2026 Tour de France shortened due to French wildfires, Montmartre circuit still included https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/tour-de-france/final-stage-of-2026-tour-de-france-shortened-due-to-french-wildfires-montmartre-circuit-still-included Stage 9 of Tour de France shortened amid 'red alert' heatwave warning in central France https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/racing/stage-9-of-tour-de-france-shortened-amid-red-alert-heatwave-warning-in-central-france/ /// This week's Climate Hat-Trick stories: Story 1: The Price of Growth, what FIFA's latest plan could mean for climate. Infantino’s World Cup plan is part of a desire for expansion that was clear from the start https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/29/gianni-infantino-fifa-president-world-cup-commercial-rights-plan World Cup for sale? FIFA's controversial plans explained https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49478527/world-cup-sale-fifa-controversial-plans-explained Story 2: Glasgow, showing us that the future of mega sport events might be less mega. Glasgow’s Hospitality Sector Goes All In To Deliver A Sustainable Welcome For Glasgow 2026 https://www.glasgow2026.com/news/4537754/glasgow-s-hospitality-sector-goes-all-in-to-deliver-a-sustainable-welcome-for-glasgow-2026 Low-cost Glasgow Games can be ‘blueprint for next 100 years’ https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/low-cost-blueprint-for-glasgow-2026-commonwealth-games-fit-for-100-years-6lxtzljjx Story of Change: The Reimagined Games https://www.glasgow2026.com/about/story-of-change Commonwealth Games Kick Off With Focus On Sustainability https://m.rediff.com/sports/report/glasgow-2026-commonwealth-games-opens-with-fresh-start/20260724.htm Supporting athletes to speak up for sustainability https://www.sportengland.org/blogs/supporting-athletes-speak-sustainability Speaking Up For Sustainability https://teamengland.org/MILK003992-TE-Sustainability-Toolkit-A4-2pp%20HR.pdf As Tea Cake entrances go…😲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbLLYg9NveK/ Story 3: First come, first served. Who owns the sporting calendar in a warming world? Tadej Pogacar urges radical overhaul of Tour de France amid stifling heatwave https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/12/tadej-pogacar-tour-de-france-2026-heatwave-calendar-ninth-stage-mathieu-van-der-poel-cycling New calendar likely because of climate change - Coe https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/articles/c5yj0wyje7lo FIFA may be forced to considerably delay 2034 Saudi Arabian World Cup https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fifa-may-forced-considerably-delay-160328515.html /// Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateofSport #sportpositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #climate #climatecrisis #FIFA #WorldCup #FIFAWorldCup #Glasgow #CommonwealthGames #SportEngland #BASIS #WorldAthletics #sport #sportsbiz Support the show

  5. Jul 23

    From the Pitching Mound to the Planet Movement with Brent Suter

    Claire opens up this week's episode with a round-up of the Men's World Cup 2026. She covers what we learned over the course of the last five weeks - and big questions that remain. Brent Suter, Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Harvard Environmental Science alumnus and 2025 Marvin Miller Man of the Year, then joins Claire for an earnest conversation on how climate change is already reshaping baseball. While building his career competing at the highest level, Brent gives insight into his own journey and the reality of being one of the few active professional athletes to openly advocate for climate action and environmental stewardship. Nomimate/Vote for Us for Listener's Choice Award 2026 - https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/listeners-choice-2026 /// This week's FIFA Men's World Cup roundup:: What World Cup Hydration Breaks Tell Us About the Times We Live In FIFA admits hydration breaks may not continue after World Cup criticism Over 100 people suffer from heat exhaustion during FIFA Fan Festival on opening day Why World Cup hydration breaks have media 'salivating' Thick wildfire smoke lingers over Mid-Atlantic early Saturday FACT SHEET: Climate change and wildfires World Rugby: Heat & Air Quality Guidelines 2025 World Athletics: Local Environment and Air Quality Monitoring - Best Practice Guidance & Examples Tennis AU: Extreme Weather Policy Aramco Protests Guadalajara protesters accuse Hyundai of using World Cup to hide ‘dirty supply chain’ FIFA delivers tree planting initiative across all FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host Cities FIFA Every Throw-In Counts Campaign National Security - Lt General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE | National Emergency Briefing The 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal and Spain may bring even more dangerous heat than 2026 /// Subscribe to the Sport Positive Brief: www.sportpositive.org Register for Sport Positive Summit 2026: www.sportpositivesummit.com Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateOfSport #SportPositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #sustainability #climatechange #FIFA #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWC #FWC #football #soccer #MLB #LAAngels #BrentSuter #baseball #advocacy #athletes #impact #ecoathletes Support the show

  6. Jul 9

    Heat Hazards, Sick Swimmers & Olympic Ambitions

    Claire is back with this week's Climate Hat Trick, exploring how environmental pressures are putting the Tour de France, open-water swimming, and Germany's Olympic ambitions to the test. British Podcast Awards 2026 Longlist - https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/longlist-2026 Nomimate/Vote for Us for Listener's Choice Award 2026 - https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/listeners-choice-2026 /// This week's Climate Hat-Trick stories: Story 1: CEO of Tour de France team spends A LOT of time thinking about heat “Cycling is fundamentally a green sport”: EF boss Jonathan Vaughters calls on teams to “take responsibility” as Tour de France on red alert due to extreme heat - https://road.cc/news/cjonathan-vaughters-calls-on-teams-to-take-responsibility-as-tour-de-france-on-red-alert-due-to-extreme-heat Pogacar rises above wildfire restrictions to take yellow jersey in deserted Les Angles - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/06/pogacar-rises-above-wildfire-restrictions-to-take-yellow-jersey-in-deserted-les-angles Tour de France fans told not to attend stage finish due to “frightening” Pyrenean wildfires - https://road.cc/news/tour-de-france-fans-told-not-to-attend-stage-finish-due-to-frightening-pyrenean-wildfires Story 2: "A whole night spent vomiting, lying on the floor" “A whole night of vomiting”: Open Water Stars Slam World Aquatics For Racing Conditions In Setúbal - https://swimswam.com/a-whole-night-of-vomiting-open-water-stars-slam-world-aquatics-for-racing-conditions-in-setubal/ Olympic Champions Gregorio Paltrinieri and Florian Wellbrock call out World Aquatics after the Open Water World Cup stop in Setúbal. - https://x.com/swimupdates/status/2069801891199070578?s=46 Italian Olympian Ginevra Taddeucci and Hungarian Olympian Bettina Fábián share their sh!tty World Cup experiences. - https://x.com/swimupdates/status/2069801898077802784?s=46 Climate change unveils hidden microbial dangers - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11925090/ How Waterway Pollution Fuels Extreme Weather and Climate Disasters - https://thrivabilitymatters.org/extreme-weather-events-and-waterway-pollution/ Story 3: No UFOs folks, we love to hear it Schneider on Games: "Germans don't want a UFO" - https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/schneider-on-games-germans-dont-want-an-ovni “Fit for the Future”: IOC Session sets strategic direction to ensure that the Olympic Movement remains strong, relevant and impactful - https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/fit-for-the-future-ioc-session-sets-strategic-direction-to-ensure-that-the-olympic-movement-remains-strong-relevant-and-impactful /// Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateofSport #sportpositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #climate #climatecrisis #heatwave #extremeheat #TourdeFrance #cycling #aquatics #Olympics #Paralympics #Germany #UFO Support the show

  7. Jul 2

    London Climate Action Week, Air-Miles Infantino & the Fossil Fuel Industry

    This week's episode features a diverse Climate Hat Trick, exploring the latest news from London Climate Action Week 2026, FIFA World Cup 2026, and the fossil fuel industry in Australian schools and youth sport settings. Claire breaks down these stories and reports at the intersection of climate crises, sustainability, and future sport. Subscribe to the Sport Positive Brief: www.sportpositive.org Register for Sport Positive Summit 2026: www.sportpositivesummit.com /// This week's Climate Hat-Trick stories: Story 1: London Climate Action Week reflections Claire's LCAW post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clairepoole_has-everyone-heard-of-kim-kardashian-ugcPost-7475648027173580801-V0hR/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAC_v64BPy0eKiRIXDgcn5iinPeT5vMzv4k Adapt2Win - https://www.adapt2win.org/ Increased focus on climate adaptation and development should not sideline emissions reduction - https://www.carbontrust.com/news-and-insights/insights/increased-focus-on-climate-adaptation-and-development-should-not-sideline-emissions-reduction Formula E Change. Accelerated. Live. - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/julia-pall%C3%A9-1b4a52113_lcaw2026-changeacceleratedlive-formulae-ugcPost-7476300072746582017-JlSf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAB2C9XQBy0YU9xKeWE8PoJUKAnnxBzCtEos Story 2: Air-miles Infantino strikes again, but only for the men 27 flights, 24 matches: The carbon cost of Fifa president's World Cup tour - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgev5wy0zg3o Gianni Infantino: FIFA president leaves Women's World Cup after less than a week to go to Tahiti - https://www.skysports.com/football/news/28508/12929209/gianni-infantino-fifa-president-leaves-womens-world-cup-after-less-than-a-week-to-go-to-tahiti#:~:text=Only%20after%20Sky%20News%20asked,event%20continues%20without%20his%20presence. Story 3: From stadium sponsorship to school lessons and community sport Fifa urged to drop Saudi oil giant Aramco as activists target World Cup - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/19/activists-world-cup-fifa-aramco-oil-partnership Coal and gas giants spending tens of millions on programs in schools and children's sport - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-29/coal-gas-presence-schools-children-sport/106847404 Fossil Fuel Industry in Australian Schools & Childhood Settings. - https://commsdeclare.org/cradle-to-career/ /// POW Clean Miles Report - https://cdn1.protectourwinters.uk/pow1/assets/Clean_Miles_report_POW_UK_lowres_0d461643b1.pdf World Athletics releases sustainability strategy midway report - https://worldathletics.org/organisation/news/sustainability-strategy-midway-report Send us the questions you want us to cover in future Ask Me Anything episodes to hello@theclimateofsport. #TheClimateofSport #sportpositive #greensports #sportsforclimateaction #LCAW #LCAW2026 #London #LondonClimateAction #Travel #Emissions #FIFA #WorldCup #London #LondonMarathon #Marathon #LCAW2026 #LondonClimateActionWeek #ProtectOurWinters #POW #report #WorldAthletics Support the show

About

The Climate of Sport is your weekly fast-take on the biggest stories in sport, through the lens of forces reshaping the game. From extreme weather to sustainability, and the business realities behind it, we break down what’s happening, what it means, and why it matters for sports organisations, athletes, leagues, sponsors, investors, fans and participants. Sport is entering a new era. Climate impacts are already affecting how events are played, scheduled, and delivered, while sustainability is becoming central to governance, funding, and commercial strategy. For those working in the sport ecosystem, investors, and leaders, understanding these shifts isn’t optional, it’s essential. This podcast gives you the context behind the headlines and a front-row seat to the biggest changes shaping the future of sport. Subscribe and download now. Get in touch at: hello@theclimateofsport.com, our website www.sportpositive.org/podcast or via our socials.   #TheClimateOfSport #SportPositive 

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