How WBSC Reduced Award Emissions by 99.99%
The World Baseball Softball Confederation replaced physical trophies with sustainable digital awards — in collaboration with Legend — and was featured by the International Olympic Committee as a sustainability case study.
Context
The growing global awareness of the environmental impact of human activities is increasingly driving the sports world to seek sustainable solutions. The production of physical medals and trophies involves various materials, including metals, plastics and wood, plus transportation, contributing to carbon emissions and environmental degradation.
In response to these challenges, the WBSC — in collaboration with Legend, the WBSC's awards partner — took a progressive step by embracing digital trophies and acknowledging them as a sustainable alternative to physical medals.
This initiative is aligned with the IOC Sustainability Strategy, Olympic Agenda 2020, and the United Nations framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The numbers
708
kg CO₂e per gold medal
469
kg CO₂e per silver/bronze
0.4g
CO₂e per digital award
90–100
prizes per event
Source: 2030 Calculator (product carbon footprint). Figures from IOC IF Sustainability Case Study.
Objectives
Reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional physical medals and trophies, aligning with global sustainability efforts.
Embrace innovative solutions like digital trophies, setting a trend for sustainable practices in the sports industry.
Encourage other sporting federations and clubs to switch to sustainable trophies.
Establish a sustainable approach to awards in sports, setting a precedent for future generations.
Connect with new fans worldwide, particularly the younger generation, through digital innovation.
Impact
Before
4,000 t
CO₂e total estimated footprint
After
0.5 t
CO₂e with digital awards
Operational since 2022: 1st Baseball5 World Cup (Mexico City) and the inaugural Virtual Cup (Seoul).
“The WBSC is committed to expanding baseball/softball around the world and connecting with new fans worldwide, particularly the younger generation. Our digital project plays a crucial role in achieving this goal, bringing further innovation to our sport while also aligning our organisation with global sustainability efforts to reduce carbon emissions and environmental degradation caused by the production and transport of traditional medals and trophies.”
Framework alignment
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