Sport has always been shaped by the elements. From rain delays at Wimbledon to heat waves disrupting marathons, the weather is as much a part of the game as the players themselves. But as the climate crisis intensifies, the risks facing sport are no longer seasonal inconveniences; they are existential threats.

This was made clear in our recent global research, carried out in partnership with Global Sustainable Sport. The survey, which gathered responses from federations, Olympic committees, clubs, venues, event organisers and NGOs across more than 20 countries, paints a picture of an industry that recognises the danger, but has yet to act at the scale required.

The headline finding is striking: 76% of respondents said climate change poses a “real” or “extreme” risk to their organisation. Yet just 3% reported making significant progress on reducing emissions, and only one in 10 said they were on track to meet their climate targets.

It is a disconnect that reflects broader struggles across industries, but one with sharper consequences in sport. Extreme heat has already forced changes to competition timetables, with the Tokyo Olympics and recent U.S. Open (tennis) among high-profile examples. Winter sports are seeing shrinking seasons. Floods, wildfires and poor air quality increasingly pose risks to events and athlete health. For an industry that thrives on live gatherings and global tournaments, the threat is immediate.

So, what is holding sport back? Our research points to two clear barriers: funding and........

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