Seminar 7: The Suman Conversations in Environmental Sustainability: Beyond Greenwashing

St Edmund Hall, Oxford, is pleased to announce the seventh seminar in our series “The Suman Conversations in Environmental Sustainability: Beyond Greenwashing”.

Greener Games: What does true sustainability in sports look like?

Sport has an unparalleled capacity to unite people, shape cultural identities, and influence global economies. Yet major sporting events often come with a substantial environmental cost, from carbon emissions to high levels of resource consumption.

This conversation aims to examine how the sports sector can advance meaningful environmental sustainability throughout event planning, operations, and supply chains. It will consider how renewable energy use, waste reduction, and transparent assessment frameworks can move sustainability efforts beyond symbolic or purely economic measures. By analysing current practices and exploring the influence of athletes, clubs, and governing bodies, the session aims to explore how sport can act as powerful player in delivering climate change mitigation strategies and fostering a greener future.

This is a free public event open to all on a first come, first served basis.

The seminars are kindly supported by Manisha Tank (1994 PPE) and Sanjeev Kumar.

Programme & Speakers

17:00–18:45: Presentations and panel discussion

• Professor Joseph W. Bull, Associate Professor in Climate Change Biology, Oxford University; Fellow of Wadham College.
• Tom Yearley, Head of Energy & Environment, AELTC – All England Lawn Tennis Club (The Championships, Wimbledon).
• Caroline Carlin, Member Engagement Manager Executive, BASIS – The British Association for Sustainable Sport.

18:45–19:15: Drinks reception

Speaker Bios

Joe is an ecologist and conservation scientist, and co-founder of Wild Business Ltd. His research aims to explore whether and how net positive biodiversity outcomes and climate change mitigation can be achieved alongside economic development activities. This includes conservation strategies under climate change, compensatory conservation interventions (e.g. biodiversity offsetting), counterfactual ecological impact evaluation, ecosystem restoration for climate mitigation, social-ecological system dynamics, and ‘net gain’ for large organisations.

Tom is a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Energy Manager, Passivhaus consultant, and net-zero carbon specialist with over 20 years of experience in sustainability. At the All England Lawn Tennis Club, he is responsible for decarbonising venue operations and advancing nature and resource stewardship across the Championships estate. Tom supports The All England Club ambition to be a Force For Good through his portfolio, including energy and carbon strategy; mechanical, electrical, and public health improvements; estate resilience; and the Nature Positive agenda.

Caroline is the Member Engagement Manager at the British Association for Sustainable Sport with extensive knowledge and experience in driving sustainable operations and strategies within the UK Sport sector. Her role involves providing personalised support for all member clubs, venues, governing bodies and sports professionals to embed environmental and social best-practise in their organisations, championing and facilitating collaboration and highlighting best practice.
As the former Operations and Sustainability Manager at Southampton Football Club, Caroline was instrumental in the development and launch of the club’s sustainability strategy and was a major driving force behind some of the club’s most powerful environmental initiatives.

Registration

All are welcome.

If you have any questions, please email events@seh.ox.ac.uk.

Registration coming soon on Eventbrite

Seminar Background

‘Conversations in Environmental Sustainability: Beyond Greenwashing’ is a twice-yearly seminar which brings together leading thinkers and decision-makers from academia, business, government and NGOs to look beyond greenwashing. Each seminar examines a specific issue related to environmental sustainability, exploring how to effectively marry environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals with financial returns, innovation and other business imperatives.

A panel of experts speak individually before engaging with each other in a panel discussion. This is followed by further conversations over drinks in the College. St Edmund Hall’s intimate and beautiful site provides the setting for the audience of experts and guests to consider honest, solution-based responses to the challenges posed if we are to deliver environmental sustainability.

Filming & Photography

Please note: this event will be recorded and published on St Edmund Hall’s digital and print communication platforms where appropriate.

There will also be photography on the day.

If you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please let the event organiser know.