Applications are open for a free online course on Sport and Climate Action, designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to understand how the sports sector can contribute to addressing climate change and advancing sustainability.
The course is developed through the United Nations system, supporting the growing global movement that recognizes sport as a powerful platform for environmental awareness, climate advocacy, and community engagement.
Participants will explore the relationship between sport and climate change, learn about climate risks affecting sporting activities, and discover how athletes, organizations, communities, and institutions can use sport to promote climate solutions.
About the Course
Sport has a unique ability to inspire people, influence behaviours, and bring communities together. However, the sports sector is also increasingly affected by climate change through extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation.
This online course explores how sport can become a driver of climate action by:
- Increasing awareness of climate change.
- Encouraging sustainable practices within sports organizations.
- Supporting climate advocacy among athletes and fans.
- Promoting environmental responsibility through sporting events.
- Building partnerships between sport, communities, and climate stakeholders.
Course Topics
Participants will learn about:
🌡️ Climate Change and Sport
Understanding how climate change affects athletes, sporting events, infrastructure, and communities.
🌱 Sport as a Tool for Climate Action
Exploring how sport can support awareness campaigns, behaviour change, and environmental education.
⚡ Sustainable Sports Practices
Learning approaches for reducing environmental impacts from sporting activities, including:
- Energy efficiency
- Waste reduction
- Sustainable transport
- Resource management
🤝 Youth Engagement and Advocacy
Understanding how young people and athletes can use sport as a platform to influence climate action.
🌍 Building Climate-Resilient Sports Communities
Exploring ways to make sports systems more adaptable to climate risks.
Who Can Enroll?
The course is open to anyone interested in the connection between sport and climate action, including:
- Young people and students
- Athletes and sports professionals
- Coaches and sports organizations
- Climate advocates
- Educators
- Community leaders
- Environmental professionals
- Policymakers
- Development practitioners
No previous climate or sports expertise is required.
Benefits
Participants will gain:
✅ Free access to UN-supported climate learning resources
✅ Knowledge of the relationship between sport and climate change
✅ Understanding of sustainable sports practices
✅ Tools to promote climate awareness through sport
✅ Skills to engage communities in environmental action
✅ A certificate upon successful completion (where applicable)
Course Format
- Fully online
- Self-paced learning
- Accessible globally
- Designed for flexible participation
Application Deadline
No fixed deadline
The course is available online, and interested participants can enroll at any time.
Why You Should Take This Course
Sport reaches billions of people worldwide and has the power to influence attitudes, behaviours, and collective action. As climate change continues to affect communities and ecosystems, integrating sustainability into sport provides an opportunity to engage new audiences and accelerate climate solutions.
This free UN online course is a valuable opportunity for young leaders, environmental practitioners, and sports communities interested in using sport as a tool for climate awareness, resilience, and positive environmental change.
