Mumbai (India)/ Nairobi
(Kenya), 11 March 2010 - The launch of the
Indian Premier League's (IPL) third season
tomorrow night in Mumbai marks a milestone
in cricketing history - the IPL is going
green.
Tipped to become the
single largest environmental awareness campaign
in the Indian subcontinent, Batting for
the Environment is a partnership between
the IPL and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP).
Led by UNEP Goodwill
Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar, team captains
from the Deccan Chargers to the Kolkata
Knight Riders will make a Green Pledge to
save the planet at the opening ceremony.
The pledge, which reads:
"The Earth is our home and together
we must conserve our precious wildlife,
forests and oceans. I am proud to pledge
that I will play my part in caring for our
natural heritage," will be sealed with
the players signing a giant globe made of
recycled materials in front of an estimated
24 million spectators watching the opening
live on television, YouTube or at DY Patil
Stadium in Mumbai.
Green tips will flash
across giant screens in stadiums and will
be announced by commentators daily during
the course of the 45-day tournament, advising
cricketers and fans on how to play a part
in limiting greenhouse gas emissions and
caring for the environment.
In addition to increasing
environmental awareness among millions of
cricket fans and the wider public, the partnership
aims to make the IPL a truly green sporting
event by identifying ways to reduce the
overall impact its operations have on the
environment - from waste management to energy
efficiency and water.
The IPL will encourage
recycling and carpooling, and call on their
fans to take an active part in helping to
green the league.
All major sports events
have an impact on the environment. In addition
to the construction and operation of sports
facilities, the life cycle of sports equipment,
apparel, refreshments and merchandise all
have an 'ecological footprint', or impact
on the natural environment. So do the competitors,
officials and spectators, for example generating
damaging greenhouse gas emissions from flying
or driving to matches.
Last February, UNEP
experts, in cooperation with officials from
the IPL and its franchises, launched a study
to assess the league's carbon footprint
as a first step towards greening the games.
IPL Chairman Lalit Modi
said: "The IPL is committed to greening
its operation. With the support of UNEP,
the IPL's green vision will be implemented
in phases. This tournament, we are calculating
the carbon emissions of the games to help
us determine the extent and measure needed
to reduce these emissions and compensate
for the remaining emissions, for example
by purchasing 100% renewable energy. Our
ultimate goal is to declare the 2011 tournament
Climate Neutral by offsetting the green
house gas emissions of the entire tournament."
UN Under-Secretary-General
and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner
said: "UNEP is delighted to be supporting
the IPL's Green Vision through technical
guidance, not least in respect to minimizing
greenhouse gases, given the overarching
and global challenge of climate change.
UNEP recognizes that the consumption and
production patterns of the rapidly developing
economies of India may define the future
of this planet. We need to make the right
choices in terms of how best to manage energy
and natural resources. To borrow a cricketing
metaphor, these choices will define whether
the world is running or soon will be run
out. Public awareness will be central to
defining a new development path - a path
UNEP has termed the low carbon, resource
efficient, Green Economy. "
He added: "We thank
the IPL for embracing the opportunity to
'go green' and for the league's willingness
to lend its popularity and the considerable
influence of its players to catalyze environmental
awareness and positive behaviour change
among millions of fans in India and around
the world."
By greening its operations,
the IPL is set to become one of the most
environmentally-friendly major sports events,
joining the ranks of global events like
the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games
which also work with UNEP to green their
events.
Note to Editors:
UNEP-IPL Batting for
the Environment Partnership
For more information,
visit the official site http://www.unep.org/sport_env/ipl.asp
UNEP
UNEP was established
in 1972 and is the voice for the environment
within the United Nations system. It provides
leadership in caring for the environment
by inspiring nations and communities to
improve their quality of life without compromising
that of future generations. UNEP has been
working in the area of sport and the environment
for more than 15 years.
IPL
The Indian Premier League
(IPL), is a mega-popular Twenty20 cricket
competition created by the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI) and chaired
by the Chairman & Commissioner IPL,
BCCI Vice President Lalit Modi. Snap polls
indicate that more than 24 million people
watched the telecast of the IPL 2008 finals
(Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings),more
than 20 million people saw the Rajasthan
Royals vs Delhi Daredevils match, whereas
the second semi-final between Chennai Super
Kings and Kings XI Punjab attracted an audience
of 19 million. For more information on the
IPL, visit http://www.iplt20.com
Compilation of UNEP-
IPL Tip of the Day
http://www.iplt20.com
Join the interactive
discussion on greening the IPL
http://www.facebook.unep.org
