Think Beyond launch Carbon Methodology and Calculator for Sport

Some of the world’s most influential sports organisations, including World Athletics, Liverpool FC, LIV Golf, Cricket Australia and the FA, are backing a landmark new approach to measuring and reducing carbon emissions across sport.

Launched today by sustainability and social impact consultancy Think Beyond, the Carbon Methodology and Calculator for Sport is the first unified approach that lets clubs, leagues and federations calculate, compare and gain insights into their greenhouse gas emissions.

Until now, sport has lacked a consistent way to measure carbon footprints, making it difficult to benchmark progress or credibly report climate action. While some sport-specific tools and guidance exist, this is the first methodology and calculator designed for sector-wide adoption, enabling organisations to measure emissions in a consistent, comparable way.

As pressure mounts from fans, sponsors and regulators, the need for transparent, science-aligned measurement has become essential.

Dr Susie Tomson, Senior Partner at Think Beyond, said: “Sport has long talked about leading on climate, but without a shared way of measuring emissions the industry has lacked the tools to follow through.

“This approach changes that. We’ve developed a practical, user-friendly methodology that meets global standards but speaks the language of sport so clubs and competitions at any point in their journey can measure what matters, benchmark progress, and lead with credibility. Most importantly, we want to make this available to the entire sector.” 

Developed through years of collaboration and shaped by leading clubs, federations and sustainability experts, the methodology aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework, and the Science Based Targets initiative. It translates these frameworks into sport-specific terms, making them accessible to non-experts while maintaining scientific rigour. 

The tool also draws on a comprehensive database of global emissions factors, enabling accurate, locally relevant calculations and supporting consistent measurement across diverse sporting contexts. A key innovation is the inclusion of sport-specific Scope 3 emissions such as fan travel and merchandise – areas often overlooked yet critical to a sport organisation’s true climate impact.

“If sport is willing to claim the economic benefits of hosting fans and selling products, it also has to account for the environmental costs,” Tomson added. “Leadership means full transparency, not selective accounting.”

35 organisations across football, motorsport, athletics, sailing, golf and cycling have already adopted the approach.

Commenting on the initiative, World Athletics President, Lord Sebastian Coe said:  “One of the most important things we at World Athletics have found in combating our impact on climate change, is the importance of simple metrics and sharing them across our own and all sport.  

“The Athletics for a Better World Standard, developed with Think Beyond, enables our 214 Federations and thousands of events around the world to share ideas and challenges with each other while striving for a common goal using shared metrics. Think Beyond’s Carbon Methodology and Calculator for Sport is part of this and will foster greater collaboration and shared ideas across all sport.”

Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool FC, said: “Accurate carbon data is a cornerstone of The Red Way, and our continued commitment to ensure transparency and authenticity in our approach to sustainability. This methodology gives us a credible baseline to take action and lead by example.”

Jake Jones, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Impact at LIV Golf, added: “As part of LIV Golf’s commitment to growing the game for the future, being a sustainability-focused organisation with a robust measurement of our footprint is essential. The more that global sport is aligned on data and standards, the more we can deepen our connections with millions of fans year-round. 

“Through our Impact and Sustainability strategy, Potential, Unleashed, we’ve adopted Think Beyond’s approach across our operations and suppliers. It’s helping us build a consistent and accountable carbon framework that also allows us to continue to innovate, evolve, and entertain at our events across the globe.”

The methodology is free for any sport, supplier or consultant to use, while the accompanying calculator is available for a nominal maintenance fee. It supports sport’s shared goal of cutting emissions 50 percent by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2040 under the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

To support shared learning, Think Beyond will publish an annual State of Sport Carbon Report over the coming year, using anonymised data to show where organisations are reducing emissions most effectively, identify where the biggest challenges remain, and guide investment of time and resources accordingly.

Organisations can download the methodology and access the carbon calculator at thinkbeyond.consulting/carbon-calculator.

As sport faces increased disruption from climate change, from extreme weather to travel delays and rising insurance costs, this unified approach moves the sector from ambition to impact and from isolated efforts to collective leadership.

“It’s not just about tracking tonnes of carbon,” Tomson said. “It’s about building resilience, sharing what works, and ensuring sport is prepared for the realities of a warming world.”