SPORTS DRIVING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS INNOVATIONS
SPORTS20 invites to the “Global Sports and Sustainability Forum” on May 26, 2025, which will take place in cooperation with Foundations 20 and the “Climate Solutions Forum” on May 27 and 28 in Cape Town. In collaboration with the Foundations 20 event to the G20 summit, we want to discuss how sport can be used as a driver for cross-sectoral developments to drive a more sustainable future. The aim is to identify the potential of sport to have an impact beyond sport, for example in the economy, infrastructure, nutrition, education and social development sectors.
We are focusing in particular on the integration of regional perspectives. Therefore, representatives of regional organizations will share their local experiences with us. In cooperation with these organizations from South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, we want to provide a platform for concrete projects and link them to global approaches. The results of this event will contribute directly to the development of a position paper. This paper contains conditions for the promotion of peace and sustainability through sport and is to be placed and discussed at various levels.
THE G20, a global forum of the world’s largest economies, plays a pivotal role in addressing critical global challenges such as climate action, social equity, and economic growth. Accompanied by engagement groups like Foundations 20, Business 20 (B20), and Youth 20 (Y20), the G20 works to advance cross-sectoral solutions and innovative approaches that strengthen global cooperation and promote sustainable development.
Under the current presidency of South Africa, THE G20 is prioritizing addressing the climate crisis, reducing sovereign debt, and driving global justice.
As an independent initiative within the G20 landscape, we bring the transformative power of sports into the discussion. We use sports as a platform to foster cross-sectoral collaboration, bringing together stakeholders from politics, business, and civil society. Our ambition is to showcase tangible solutions to global challenges that integrate sustainability, social justice, and innovation.
We bring the vision of the G20 agenda to life by leveraging sports as a visible platform for cross-sectoral collaboration. Sports connects industries, communities, and stakeholders to drive sustainable solutions. In doing so, it supports the implementation of G20 objectives, including fostering innovation, tackling inequalities, and contributing to climate action.
By uniting global audiences around shared values and experiences, sports serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing sustainable business models, blending innovation, social impact, and environmental responsibility. Key topics range from sustainable sponsor- and partnerships to green infrastructure in and around stadiums, from circular economy concepts and fair trade in merchandise to healthier and better options in catering and hospitality. By fostering sustainable business models and setting cultural trends, sports can contribute to the development of economies in the future.
The African Union plays a central role in the G20’s sustainability agenda. Projects like our collaboration with sports organizations in Africa illustrate how sports can act as a catalyst for innovation and cooperation. By combining international expertise with local knowledge, we ensure that sustainability measures are tailored to regional contexts, enhancing the resilience of sports and communities in times of change.
Co-Host at Foundations 20 “Climate Solutions Forum” 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Co-Host at Foundations 20 “Climate Solutions Forum” 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Presentation of the SPORTS20 framework at the F20 "Climate Solutions Forum" for the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro
