Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change
Environmental Impact and Carbon Emissions of Sport Events: The Significance of Scope 3
2025-08-16
Sport events have significant economic and social benefits but impose considerable environmental costs, particularly through indirect (Scope 3) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which often exceed direct (Scope 1) and other indirect (Scope 2) impacts. Previous research has primarily focused on assessing the environmental impacts of sport events and identifying strategies for mitigating these effects. Defining and categorizing Scope 3 emissions is crucial for understanding their environmental impact on sport events. Effective assessment requires clear conceptualization, classification, and suitable methods for quantification. This study explores: (1) key sources of Scope 3 emissions; (2) how they are conceptualized and classified; and (3) data sources and methods used for their quantification. We conducted a systematic literature review, analyzing 50 studies published between 1993 and 2023. These studies focus on Scope 3 emissions associated with sport events and apply various methodological approaches to assess and quantify these emissions. The findings indicate that the primary sources of Scope 3 emissions are participant and spectator travel, facility energy consumption, accommodation, and food. Large‐scale events, like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, further amplify these emissions. Recognizing these key sources underscores the importance of accounting for indirect activities in Scope 3 assessments. Studies identifying gas emission sources often rely on assumptions rather than precise data. This research emphasizes the need to accurately identify and quantify Scope 3 emissions in sports events, underscoring the importance of effectively assessing and managing indirect activities to understand their environmental impact. This article is categorized under: Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change