Olympic Education

Sport and Sustainability

Lesson description

Canada has always been a supporter of the sustainable sport movement. In 2020, a group of seven Canadian Olympians and a researcher joined forces to host a Green Sports Day aimed at increasing the awareness of climate change and sports, to take action to reduce the carbon footprint of sport, and to celebrate the progress and positive impact of sports. 

The Canadian Olympic School Program is excited to partner with Green Sports Day to support teachers in their efforts to make students aware of green sports.

This lesson plan introduces students to the concept of Green Sports Day and the connection between sports and sustainability. Students explore how sports activities contribute to CO2 emissions and learn how to apply the 5 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Refuse, and Recycle) to make their sports equipment and activities more environmentally friendly.


Lesson instructions

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Special features

This lesson plan can be used in support of the “Let’s Talk Sport and Sustainability Panel” offered by Head to Head and Logics Canada. This educational and inspiring panel is free and open to classrooms who want to join and learn about how they can be part of the climate change solution! Through this lesson, students will be inspired and empowered to take action in the fight against climate change, and be equipped to begin a conversation about sustainability both in and out of sport!


Learning outcomes

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to: 

  • Understand the environmental impact of sports and identify CO2 emissions sources in sports activities.
  • Apply the 5 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Refuse, and Recycle) to make their sports equipment and activities more sustainable.

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Contact Us

Canadian Olympic School Program
500 West René-Lévesque Blvd, 2nd floor
Montréal, QC Canada H2Z 1W7
cosp@olympic.ca