Nature Sports Signatories of the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework: A Thematic Analysis

Climate change is a real and present threat to our planet and all living things. As part of the solution, the UN intends to leverage sport to raise awareness and take up climate action to be climate leaders. The UN’s Sports for Climate Action Framework asks that sports organizations become signatories by committing to five climate action principles and joining their Race to Zero campaign in order to show climate leadership. It is not known how signatory organizations are responding to this framework and thus this study asks two primary questions: how are nature sports organizations taking up climate action, and do their responses align with what is being asked of them in the Sports for Climate Action framework? This study, guided by an interpretivist paradigm, used a case study approach to explore how nature sports organizations address climate change and environmentalism. The online content of six organizations was analyzed with a reflexive thematic analysis method detailed by Braun, Clarke & Joy (2023). First, an anthropocentric perspective of climate change and climate action was used and nature sport organizations portrayed themselves as protectors of the environment. Second, the varying commitments of these organizations aligned with the concept of ‘mission drift’ away from the principles of S4CA and towards those of affiliated organizations. Third, there was insufficient reporting on carbon emissions, climate action results, and climate action impact. The study recommends that nature sports organizations adopt ecocentric messaging to highlight the intrinsic value of ecosystems, aligning with UN climate goals and the Paris Accord. They should educate participants on the true climate impact of their sports, integrate environmental education into their initiatives, and emphasize ecological relationships. Transparent reporting of measurable, time-bound carbon figures is essential to demonstrate genuine environmental commitment. Lastly, organizations should refocus on the core principles of the S4CA framework, prioritize specific climate action goals, and avoid greenwashing by reducing emissions and reporting results clearly.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. Applied Health Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Applied Health Sciences Program

Grantor

Brock University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Boyle, Devon

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Millington, Rob

• Sustainability
• Climate Change
• Environment
• Sport
• Sports for Climate Action

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19223

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/19223