How is Sports Taking Center Stage at IMT Ghaziabad’s Climate 11 Summit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- IMT Ghaziabad hosted India's first sports-centered climate summit.
- Athletes can lead the way in sustainability efforts.
- Collaboration between academia, business, and sports is essential.
- Key resolutions include building eco-friendly sports infrastructure.
- Empowering youth to engage in sports and conservation is crucial.
Ghaziabad, Sep 2 (NationPress) As extreme weather occurrences such as floods and heatwaves impact the nation, IMT Ghaziabad convened the Climate 11 Summit, marking India’s inaugural initiative aimed at leveraging sports to combat climate change.
The summit emphasized the crucial role of sports in climate action, illustrating how athletes, federations, and the broader industry can emerge as global champions for sustainability.
Opening the event, Atish Chattopadhyay, director of IMT Ghaziabad, asserted the institute’s dedication to addressing environmental issues through collaborations among academia, business, and sports.
Led by Kanishka Pandey, Head of the Centre for Sports Research, the sessions highlighted the interconnectedness of sports, society, and the climate. “Integrating environmental concerns into the identity of sports will not only preserve the integrity of sports but also safeguard lives, communities, and future generations,” he remarked.
The discussions featured influential figures from the global sports arena. Acclaimed author David Goldblatt cautioned that escalating climate crises could jeopardize the future of sports. Piara Power, Trustee of the Chelsea Football Club Foundation, stressed the importance of utilizing the extensive reach of sports to enhance climate awareness. Arhan Bagati, founder of the Bridging Gaps Foundation, called on the youth to engage in conservation through sports, while Shaji Prabhakaran of the Asian Football Confederation and Neeraj Jha, Head of Sports at Warner Bros., contributed valuable insights.
The summit concluded with pivotal resolutions aimed at establishing sports as a transformative force in climate action. Initiatives included forming a global knowledge network connecting sports organizations with academic institutions and experts, constructing eco-friendly stadiums and infrastructures, promoting climate education at the grassroots level, channeling green finance into the industry, and positioning India as a worldwide leader in blending sustainability with sports.