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REVIEW PAPER
The Impact of Sporting Events on Carbon
Emissions and the Emission Reduction Measures:
a Systematic Review from 2019 to 2024
1
School of Physical Education, Hunan University, Changsha, China
2
School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
3
School of Physical Education, Ankang College, Ankang, China
Submission date: 2024-10-26
Final revision date: 2024-12-30
Acceptance date: 2025-03-04
Online publication date: 2025-04-16
Publication date: 2026-04-21
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2026;35(2):2497-2511
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This systematic review examines the influence of sporting events on carbon emissions, with a
particular focus on studies published between 2019 and 2024. As the global sports market expands
significantly, concerns about the environmental impact of sporting events, particularly their carbon
footprint, are becoming increasingly prominent. This review addresses two key research questions: the
relationship between sporting events and carbon emissions and the efficacy of measures implemented
to reduce these emissions. A comprehensive literature search across seven databases initially identified
616 relevant studies. Following a thorough screening process, 10 articles were deemed to meet the
inclusion criteria. The selected studies encompass a diverse range of countries and sports, underscoring
the mounting interest in the subject of carbon emissions from sporting activities. However, this review
also identifies notable deficiencies in the existing research. Although sporting events may not be as
significant contributors to carbon emissions as other sectors, there is a pressing need for a more profound
comprehension of the environmental consequences of these events, particularly as they become more
prevalent and extensive in scale. This review underscores the need for more focused research in the
domain of sport ecology, specifically emphasizing the sustainability of mega-events.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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