How Climate Change Impacts the Future of Sports

ASICS is taking action. By exploring and understanding the relationship between sports and climate change, ASICS has been able to develop several initiatives that play a positive role in preserving the natural environment.

How is climate change affecting sports around the world?

Sports and climate change are highly related. Rising temperatures and increases in drought conditions affect how athletes train and how sporting events all over the world are conducted. That’s why taking corporate responsibility and becoming a leader in combating climate change is a priority with ASICS.

Here are some of the effects that climate change can have on sports:

• Less snow and ice for winter sports
• Children unable to play outside at the height of summer
• Events canceled or moved because of extreme weather conditions
• Sports venues flooding
• Poor air quality due to fires and pollution
• Reduced energy for lighting
• Shortages of fresh, healthy foods

How is ASICS limiting its impact on climate change?

ASICS is taking responsibility for its impact on the climate. The philosophy of a sound mind in a sound body encourages everyone to live, work, and play in a healthy environment. ASICS is committed to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 ̊C, which is recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and set out in the Paris Agreement. Here’s how ASICS is putting its climate goals into action.

1. Tracking impact and setting goals

You can only manage what you can measure. ASICS is tracking carbon emissions, increasing renewable electricity usage, responsibly sourcing materials, and producing products with ecology in mind.

2. Circular approach to production

One of the most exciting industry changes is taking a circular approach to manufacturing . That means products are seen as part of a circular process of manufacturing, using, and reusing them. ASICS is increasing its use of recycled, sustainability sourced, and more water-efficient materials. The company is designing products to use fewer materials within their products without compromising performance and structure.

3. Sustainable operation

Real change takes time. ASICS pushes hard to achieve our goals on climate change and remains determined to have net-zero emissions by 2050. We'll be using less energy, switching to renewable power sources, and cutting carbon emissions in everything from manufacturing to shipping.

The future of sport depends on sustainability

The link between sports and climate change represents an opportunity for improvement and change within our societies. ASICS understands the role it can play in conserving the environment and continues to make substantial progress:

• More than 90% of new running shoes in 2021 and 2022 contain recycled material and more than 30% of conventional polyester materials have been replaced with recycled polyester.
• More than 50% of cotton used in manufactured products utilises sustainable cotton from certified producers like the Better Cotton Initiative (GOTS certified).
• CO2 emissions decreased 28.0% through renewable energy efforts. (2015 baseline)
• Programs from our direct operations such as the ReAct Sustains, Give Back Box, and Road Tested Program was launched to help promote reuse and recycling.
• In Australia, we partner with TreadLightly , a national recycling initiative that takes unwanted sport and active lifestyle footwear and responsibly recycles it into new products such as gym mats, floors and playgrounds. TreadLightly donation boxes are located at all ASICS stores in Australia .