Title: Green sports supporting a low-carbon society: inspiration from Japan

Authors: Xiaochen Chen; Jia Niu; Ken'chi Nakagami; Qian Zhang; Xuepeng Qian; Jun Nakajima

Addresses: College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350116, China; Ritsumeikan – Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan ' College of Ecological Environment and Urban Construction, Fujian University of Technology, 33 Xuefunan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350118, China; Ritsumeikan Research Center for Sustainability Science, Ritsumeikan University, 2-150 Iwakura-cho, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-8570, Japan ' College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University, 2-150 Iwakura-cho, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-8570, Japan ' Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan ' College of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu, Oita 874-8577, Japan ' College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan

Abstract: Global warming, mainly due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, has a devastating effect on our living planet. To combat it and foster a low-carbon society, contributions from the sports community are needed. Accordingly, the concept of 'green sports' has emerged, calling for green performance of sports infrastructure, green production in sports manufacturing, and green awareness of sports community. In this respect, Japan, as a leader in both Asian sports and worldwide sustainable development, has valuable experiences, including widespread stakeholders' participation, substantial efforts, and outstanding achievements. Inspired by Japan's examples, this study not only summarises mainstream recommendations for the development of green sports, but also presents two innovative proposals - linking green sports with market-based flexibility mechanisms and promoting environmental education through sports celebrities - and the prospects for these approaches. This article could be used by worldwide sports community as reference for making contributions to the establishment of a low-carbon society.

Keywords: green sports; low-carbon society; green performance; green production; green awareness; Japan; 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games; sports community; sustainable development; flexibility mechanism; environmental education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2018.088645

International Journal of Global Warming, 2018 Vol.14 No.1, pp.61 - 80

Received: 22 Jun 2015
Accepted: 05 Feb 2016
Published online: 14 Dec 2017 *

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