Chapter 16: An Approach to Sport Sustainability: The Case of Chile

Sustainability has emerged in Chile as a relevant area that is manifested in its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a strategy to implement the 2030 agenda in the country. Various public and private organizations have made progress in promoting sustainability in their management. In the field of sport, there are also initiatives of this type, such as those developed by the Chilean Olympic Committee, Rugby, Tennis, and Football Federations, among others. However, the most important experience has been the organization of the Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games, which developed a high-impact legacy and sustainability strategy. Among the results obtained, for example, more than 200,000 tons of CO₂ offset by renewable energy projects in Chile; the generation of more than 600,000 kWh with renewable energy; the recycling of more than 95% of the graphic material of the brand image; the use of green hydrogen in the torch’s cauldron or the recycling of 10,000 kg of wiring, recovering more than 3 tons of copper. Consequently, it can be generally concluded that collaborative partnerships between the public and private sector is fundamental for the neutralization of the carbon footprint and the promotion of the circular economy in the operations of sports organizations in Chile, supporting sustainable practices.