Analysis of factors affecting the use of clean energy in sports events: A sustainable environmental approach

Document Type : sustainable dvelopment

Authors
1 Ph.D Student of Sport Management,, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences,, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze factors affecting the use of clean energy in sports events from a sustainable environmental perspective. This research is descriptive and applied in terms of its purpose and was conducted as a survey. The statistical population consisted of experts and specialists in sports management, environmental engineering, and managers and professionals familiar with relevant organizations. A researcher-developed questionnaire with 62 items across nine components (managerial, technical, environmental, legal, economic and financial, social, cultural, political, and educational) was distributed randomly among 300 participants, and 265 completed questionnaires were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. For inferential analysis, Cronbach's alpha was applied to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire and its subscales. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) based on structural equation modeling, using T-values to evaluate the general linear model (GLM), were conducted to determine the construct validity of the questionnaire. LISREL and SPSS software were used for these analyses, and PLS software was applied to design the quantitative model through structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated that the proposed model of clean energy use in sports events is appropriate in terms of fit indices. All 62 items and nine components can be integrated into a comprehensive model for clean energy use in sports events with a sustainable environmental approach. Regarding legal factors, it is necessary to develop mechanisms and principles to prevent environmental damage in sporting events, minimize fossil energy consumption, and promote the use of clean energy.

Keywords


1.      Ross WJ, Orr M. Predicting climate impacts to the Olympic Games and FIFA Men's World Cups from 2022 to 2032. In The Sport Mega-Events of the 2020s. 2023;19(3):163-184.
2.      Martins R, Pereira E, Rosado A, Mascarenhas M. Exploring the relationship between sport demand's key players and environmental sustainability: Pointers from a systematic review. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism2021; 35: 100419.
3.      Zhu J, Liang Z, Zhang C, Wei X. How are sports management, renewable energy, and green finance related? Survey evidence. Renewable Energy.2023; 206: 39-46.
4.      Luo M, Chen L. The impact of sports industry agglomeration on the high-quality development of green energy. Frontiers in Environmental Science.2023; 11: 1109072.
5.      Katsaprakakis DA, Papadakis N, Giannopoulou E, Yiannakoudakis Y, Zidianakis G, Kalogerakis M, Kartalidis A. Rational Use of Energy in Sports Centres to Achieve Net Zero: The SAVE Project (Part A). Energies. 2023;16(10): 4040.
6.      McCullough BP. Advancing sport ecology research on sport and the natural environment. Sport Management Review.2023; 26(5): 813-833.
7.      Du X, Xie W, Guan W. Retracted Article: Energy transition in sport and public facilities: pioneering sustainable economic pathways. Economic Change and Restructuring.2024; 57(2): 44.
8.      Heussaff C, Emmerling J, Luderer G G, Pietzcker RC, Reissl S, Rodrigues R., Way R. Europe's 2040 climate target: Four critical risks and how to manage them.2024; (23)2024.
9.      Zhang C, Zhou X, Zhou B, Zhao Z. Impacts of a mega sporting event on local carbon emissions: A case of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics. China Economic Review.2022; 73, 101782.
10.  Melin AK, Areta JL, Heikura IA, Stellingwerff T, Torstveit M K., Hackney AC. Direct and indirect impact of low energy availability on sports performance. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports.2024; 34(1): e14327.
11.  Watanabe N, Yan G, McLeod C. The Impact of Sporting Events on Air Pollution: An Empirical Examination of National Football League Games. Sustainability.2023: 15(6): 5568.
12.  Taghavi Baghan F, Tayebi Sani SM, Ider N, Khajoo M. Measuring noise pollution from sports events in urban environments (case study: Azadi stadium). Anthropogenic Pollution.2022: 6(2): 55-61.
13.  Gandola DM, Asdrubali F.A Methodology to Evaluate GHG Emissions for Large Sports Events. Sustainability.2024:16(4):1504.
14.  Ali SR. Review on ozone depletion and global warming. ACADEMICIA: An International Multidisciplinary Research Journal.2021; 11(10): 2072-2078.
15.  Clark J M, Kenna MP. Lawn and turf: management and environmental issues of turfgrass pesticides. In Hayes' Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology.2010; 1047-1076.
16.  Köck-Schulmeyer M, Villagrasa M, de Alda ML, Céspedes-Sánchez R, Ventura Barceló D. Occurrence and behavior of pesticides in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental impact. Science of the total environment.2013; 458: 466-476.
17.  Atalay A, Švagždienė B. Sustainable Environment Problems Arising from Sports Facilities. Laisvalaikio tyrimai.2013; 1(21): 1-15.
18.  Zhang A. Research on the surrounding environment of large-scale sports events. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.2018; 208(1): 012057.
19.  Hjortling C, Björk F, Berg M, Klintberg T. Energy mapping of existing building stock in Sweden–Analysis of data from Energy Performance Certificates. Energy and Buildings.2017; 153, 341-355.
20.  Su X Z, Chen L, Xu XL. Carbon emission and energy risk management in mega sporting events: challenges, strategies, and pathways. Frontiers in Environmental Science.2025; 12, 1513365.
21.  Zafari Z, Golzary A, Rouhi K, Mansourihanis O. From Conventional Approaches to Circular Systems: Evolution of Waste Management in Mega-Sporting Events. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.2025;12(2):158-259.
22.  Wicker P, Thormann T F. (2024). Environmental impacts of major sport events. In Research Handbook on Major Sporting Events Edward Elgar Publishing.2024;4(12):373-385.
23.  Meng Y. Research on Sports System Based on The Concept of Green Environmental Protection. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.2021;714(2):022037.
24.  Zhang C, Zhou X, Zhou B, Zhao Z. Impacts of a mega sporting event on local carbon emissions: A case of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics. China Economic Review.2022; 73: 101782.
25.  Badri Azarin Y, sedghi S, khodadadi MR. Shajie R. Modeling an environmentally Sustainable Development of Sport Events in Iran; Grounded Theory. Sport Physiology & Management Investigations.2023; 15(1): 9-28.
26.  Goodarzi S, Bagheri G. Yazdani H. Developing the Model of Factors Affecting the Development of Renewable Energy Use in Iran Sport Facilities. Sport Management Journal.2021;13(1):161-181.
27.  nazari L, Shabani Moghaddam K. Impact of environmental perception on sustainable development in sport. journal of motor and behavioral sciences.2020; 3(1): 61-67.
28.  Azam Haddian, Zahra Nasrolahi. The effect of population growth on environment in Iran and other countries in the MENA region, Quarterly Journal of The Macro and Strategic Policies.2018; 6(21): 40-60. (in persian)
29.  Abdul Hosseini N, Zolghadri S. An overview of air pollution in Iran; Causes, effects and legal solutions. Zist Sepehr Student Magazine.2021; 14(2): 46-56. (in persian)
30.  Ahmed MM, Hasan MJ, Chowdhury MS, Rahman MK, Islam MS, Hossain MS, Mobarak MH. Prospects and challenges of energy storage materials: A comprehensive review. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances.2024; 100657.
31.  Tang X, Liu S, Wang Y, Wan Y. Study on carbon emission reduction countermeasures based on carbon emission influencing factors and trends. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res.2024; (31): 14003–14022.
32.  Zeemering, E. S. Sustainability management, strategy and reform in local government. In Sustainable Public Management.2021; 3(1): 141-158.
33.  McCullough BP. Advancing sport ecology research on sport and the natural environment. Sport Management Review.2023; 26(5): 813-833.
34.  Maghfuri AM, Chiasson A. Design and Simulation of a Solar Photovoltaic System for a Sports Stadium. In 2020 9th International Conference on Power Science and Engineering (ICPSE).2020;7(4): 82-86.
35.  Preuss H. A framework for identifying the legacies of a mega sport event. In Leveraging Mega-Event Legacies. 2018; 7(4): pp. 29-50.
36.  Racinais S, Hosokawa Y, Akama T, Bermon S, Bigard X, Casa DJ, Budgett R. IOC consensus statement on recommendations and regulations for sport events in the heat. British journal of sports medicine.2023; 57(1): 8-25. 
37.  Paladan NN, Florida JS. Reducing Energy Consumption as a Social Responsibility: Towards a Sustainable Energy Supply. Int. J. Innov. Manag.2013; 1(3): 29-40.
38.  Su S, Li J, Yuan J, Tang M, Wang E, Ding, Y. How can energy saving culture of a company influence energy behaviors and consumptions in its offices? A simulation and optimization model. Journal of Building Engineering.2022; 58: 105011.
39.  Ollier L, Melliger M, Lilliestam J. Friends or Foes? Political Synergy or Competition between Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy. Energies.2020; 13(23): 6339.
40.  Caferra R, Colasante A, Morone A. The less you burn, the more we earn: The role of social and political trust on energy-saving behaviour in Europe. Energy Research & Social Science.2021; 71: 101812.
41.  Li Y. Study of the effect of environmental education on environmental awareness and environmental attitude based on environmental protection law of the People’s Republic of China. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education.2018; 14(6): 2277-2285.
42.Boca GD, Saraçlı S. (2019). Environmental education and student’s perception, for sustainability.  Sustainability.2019; 11(6): 1553.
Volume 3, Issue 3
studies of Olympic
Autumn
Autumn 2025
Pages 137-158

  • Receive Date 20 March 2025
  • Revise Date 01 July 2025
  • Accept Date 04 July 2025