Leveraging sport as a venue and vehicle for transformative sustainability learning

In: International journal of sustainability in higher education, Volume 21, Issue 6, p. 1071-1086

Abstract

Purpose
Given greater awareness of environmental issues and the acceleration of climate change, universities are increasingly requiring undergraduate students to complete coursework in environmental issues. Research has shown that environmental courses hosted in science departments can be too challenging for students with no science background. Thus, new approaches to general environmental education at the undergraduate level are necessary. This paper aims to advance three transformative sustainability learning (TSL) interventions that leverage sport as the living laboratory for environmental education through examining green teams and in depth sport venue tours.


Design/methodology/approach
This paper details the experimental application of three TSL interventions in undergraduate sport courses.


Findings
Each intervention produced lasting benefits for several parties. Students benefit from greater exposure to sport management organizations and a hands-on learning opportunity. Sport organizations benefit from a promotional opportunity to showcase their sustainability efforts, improved sustainability practices at their facilities and the opportunity to leverage the students' involvement for fan engagement initiatives


Research limitations/implications
The interventions presented in this paper were developed in a North American sport context, however, there is a considerable opportunity to develop similar interventions in any region where sport organizations exist.


Originality/value
Despite being one of the most universally appreciated and visible industries, the sport industry has yet to be used as a site for meaningful sustainability learning interventions. The interventions presented herein introduce the opportunity to leverage students' love of sport for outcomes for all parties: the students, the host organization and sport fans.