Reducing carbon emissions has emerged as an urgent challenge for the organisers of global mega sports events. So I was pleased to be able to work on a research project in collaboration with Prof. Eiji Ito (Chukyo University, Japan) to look at the domestic transport emissions associated with hosting the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.
We examined the potential reduction in CO2 emissions associated with the air travel of inbound tourists between each venue and prefecture of entry (airport) using the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup as a case study. We then applied the “three-hub model” of event delivery to measure the scope for domestic transport emissions reductions if the event had been delivered at three strategically selected venues that were well connected by the fast speed rail network in Japan, to allow teams and spectators to ‘remain grounded’ (rather than fly) when travelling between venues.
We used secondary Rugby World Cup 2019 ticket purchase data and our estimations indicated that the implementation of the three-hub model would have reduced the domestic transport emissions of inbound spectators by 62.7% (14,126.9 tCO2).
Existing low carbon transportation routes between points of entry (for international sports fans) and between sports venues is an important aspect of event design.
This research contributes to the empirical evidence-base that will assist event organising committees to respond to SDG #13 Climate Action by finding ways to drive down event transport emissions.
Ito, E. & Higham, J.E.S. (2023). An evidence-base for reducing the CO2 emissions of national mega sports events: Application of the three-hub model to the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2023.2177301
