Integrating sustainability into sports event management and planning: A case study of athletics in New Zealand : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Environmental Management with Honours

Abstract

The increase in environmental awareness has resulted in an increase in the incorporation of sustainability into many different aspects of people's daily lives. Sustainability in sport is a relatively new concept, although one that is gaining momentum, especially in mega or major sporting events. The use of sport as a tool for environmental stewardship is very powerful. Large scale mega or major events have been recognised as a means to showcase "best practice" when it comes to the integration of sustainability into event management. The Olympic Games have been at the forefront of the environmental movement. Other sports such as football, skiing, golf and motorsports have also incorporated sustainability into their sports as a means to reduce the environmental impacts associated.

With the dominance of literature focused on major and mega events it is important to recognise that it is a collective effort and that all scales and levels of sporting events should also be incorporating these initiatives. This research explores whether environmental sustainability that been incorporated into top sporting events is also being integrated into lower level and scale sporting events. The analysis of what is currently happening in New Zealand in regard to event management, and specifically the sport of athletics is used. A framework that consists of six key sustainability areas is used for the analysises of event guidelines and resources provided within this industry.

It was found that due to cost and lack of education associated with sustainability in event management in New Zealand that the diffusion of sustainability has not trickled down into smaller scale events.