Op-ed: Planting The Seeds Of Sustainability In Esports

For the second year running Gen Z’s top concern is climate change and protecting the environment, according to Deloitte’s Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z survey. They are not alone. It is our duty to show solidarity with people and planet, by embracing more sustainable practices across the esports industry – but we are only at the start of an exciting journey towards sustainability.

As a leading player in the esports industry, ESL Gaming is perfectly placed to catalyse the change that it’s fans and players want to see. Just as esports nurtures each generation, they in turn shape the industry. We know that there is only one path we can take together, and that’s the green one. But like all the best games, there will be plenty of challenges and rewards along the way.

As with any quest in the world of gaming, the road to net zero carbon emissions must be strategic, focused and with clear goals. That’s why we partnered with Planted, to become a CO₂ neutral business through carbon offsetting – the first step in our journey. Planted helps us to calculate our carbon footprint and invest in climate protection projects that reduce CO₂ at the source, through innovation and natural measures.

So far while reaching carbon neutrality, ESL Gaming investments have supported numerous projects around the world and particularly in the global south. These include funding for renewable energy projects and social projects that effectively reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions. We talk about heroes a lot in esports – but when it comes to climate recovery, trees are the real heroes. They bind climate-damaging CO₂ and release vital O₂ and form a vital part of carbon offsetting.

We have been tracking, documenting and calculating our CO₂ emission since 2018 using Position Green software. We are very proud to have received an official Voluntary Cancellation Certificate from the United Nations (UN) and look forward to lowering our emission in the years to come. With greater transparency around our carbon impact and that of the industry we are better placed to make a difference.

Of course, while carbon emissions are a vital part of the equation, we must continue to work more broadly to reduce its environmental impact across the business – from travel to recycling and use of natural resources. We take our role in building a more sustainable future for generations to come very seriously. It can’t be a tick-box exercise, but a holistic, long-term strategy that cuts to the heart of the business. At ESL Gaming, everyone is on board.

Looking beyond the pandemic, following a period of reflection and sustainable growth we will have fresh challenges to contend with. But we are already working away on a series of new campaigns that promise to keep us moving forwards – and we can’t wait to show you the next steps, in 2022.

We welcome our fellow partners, collaborators and esports fans across the ecosystem to join us in our vision for a better world. We must work together to make a meaningful change – and while this is a solid start, it is only the beginning.

Julia Hiltscher is Director of CSR at ESL Gaming, founder of the Esports Research Network and the Esports Yearbook, and has been fostering research globally for almost 15 years. Julia is working on a global esports ecosystem beneficial and sustainable for everyone socially, environmentally, economically as well as in terms of governance.