The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing calls to confront the “existential threat” posed by its environmental impact and to commit to the United Nations’s Climate Action framework. The recent Men’s ODI World Cup brought attention to the challenges cricket faces due to climate change. Severe air pollution in cities like Delhi and Mumbai affected player training sessions and even led to the cancellation of fireworks during the final group games.
Former West Indies Test captain Daren Ganga emphasized the need for the ICC to sign the United Nations Climate Change Sports for Climate Action Framework. Ganga urged administrators to prioritize player protection in extreme conditions and advocated for a collective effort to establish a zero-carbon goal.
Cricket, among the most climate change-impacted sports, faces challenges such as air pollution and extreme heat. Madeleine Orr, an assistant professor of Sport Ecology, called for the implementation of heat and air pollution policies, strong medical teams, and emergency protocols at all levels of the sport.
Despite some local initiatives, there has been a lack of systemic action across the sport on climate change. The ICC’s partnership with Aramco, a state-owned oil company, has raised concerns, with calls for the cricket governing body to distance itself from such sponsors in favor of sustainability efforts.
Greenpeace UK’s Joint Executive Director, Areeba Hamid, urged the ICC to prioritize environmental awareness and champion a sustainable future for both the sport and the planet.
Aramco, the sponsor of the player of the match award for each game in the World Cup, is yet to comment on the situation.
