GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership) is a sustainability-driven membership and support network for sports and entertainment venues. Developed by industry leaders, GOAL represents about 40 members, including facilities from major sports leagues like the NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and NFL. The organization acts as an extension of members' internal teams, providing environmental data analysis, sustainability strategy, sustainable partnership advice, and a sustainability community. GOAL's impact is measured across 10 categories spanning environmental, social, and governance areas. Some notable member results include achieving TRUE Zero Waste Certification, considerable water conservation using innovative systems, and significant reductions in energy consumption. Member achievements and collective progress are transparently communicated in GOAL's annual Impact Report, and celebrated at its annual GOAL Awards Ceremony. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and offering tailored support, GOAL empowers venues to enhance their sustainability efforts, regardless of their starting point. This comprehensive approach makes GOAL a pivotal force in driving sustainability within the sports and entertainment industry.

UBS Arena, located in Elmont, New York and home to the New York Islanders, is emblematic of sustainable operations in sports. The arena excels in a variety of environmental metrics, including reduced carbon emissions, high waste diversion rates, and responsible food sourcing. This LEED v4 Certified venue has achieved carbon neutrality for all scope 1 and 2 emissions, surpassing its original timeline by two years. The arena's commitment to eco-friendly transportation is evident in its partnership with the Long Island Rail Road, which has transported over 727,000 fans, effectively removing nearly 250,000 cars from the road. UBS Arena's zero-waste initiatives have earned it a Silver level certification in the TRUE rating system. The venue's dedication to sustainability extends to its food sourcing, with 75% of ingredients sourced within a 300-mile radius. With its "Sustainable Brilliance & Community Resilience" agenda, UBS Arena extends its sustainability goals beyond just environmental excellence to include immediate and lasting positive impacts on the lives of its visitors and neighbors, and the sports industry at large.

The World Surf League (WSL) has leveraged its worldwide sports platform to protect and conserve the global ocean. As pioneers in environmental stewardship, WSL achieved carbon neutrality in 2018 and has gone on to reach remarkable milestones in more recent years against their 2018 baselines, including a 49% reduction in emissions and a 70% reduction in waste. WSL's approach includes alignment with United Nations frameworks, goal-setting that is time-bound and measurable, and transparency through annual reporting. The league's environmental commitments extend beyond the operations of competitive events, encompassing community engagement, youth education, and ecosystem restoration. Their annual WSL PURE Grant program funds critical local impact projects, resulting in impressive achievements such as helping plant 100,000 corals with Coral Gardeners. By fostering a connected community of athletes and fans across 150+ countries, and over 200 partner organizations, including global sustainability partners Shiseido and YETI, WSL is creating a powerful movement for ocean conservation, setting new standards for environmental responsibility in professional sports.

WM champions a greener future for the sports industry through an integrated and end-to-end approach to supporting customers’ sustainability programs. Its WM Advisory Services group, with a 30-year history, empowers 40+ clients – including major sports leagues, teams, and events – with environmental solutions ranging from operational improvements to strategy development and brand initiatives. Since 2021, the company has tripled the number of sport leagues, events, teams and venues it serves. Furthermore, WM became MLB's first Official Sustainability Partner in 2024, and has been the driving force behind the zero-waste WM Phoenix Open since 2013. WM's approach goes beyond waste diversion to include water conservation, circular economy initiatives, and greenhouse gas emissions management, such as helping NASCAR conduct its first greenhouse gas emissions inventory and recommended targets. WM’s sustainability impact extends to social and community projects, including helping fund the Gila River Indiana Community (GRIC) Irrigation Canal PV Project, which initiated the development of solar panels over the Tribe's irrigation canals, which would reduce water evaporation, power costs, and coal power reliance.

Moda Center, located in Portland, Oregon and home to the Portland Trail Blazers, exemplifies leadership in arena sustainability. As the first existing arena to achieve LEED Platinum certification, Moda Center sets a groundbreaking standard for sustainability, challenging other venues to reimagine the limits of eco-friendly operations in established facilities. Its environmentally conscious measures include matching 100% of its annual electricity usage with the purchase of renewable energy credits since 2008, and beginning in 2018 taking things a step further by purchasing credits from a local Oregon wind farm. The venue also offsets all natural gas consumption. The arena's comprehensive approach includes a 15-year-old composting program, 28 complimentary EV charging stations, and water conservation efforts that save over 3.5 million gallons annually. Notably in 2023, Moda Center launched an innovative arena-wide reusable cup system, preventing nearly 400,000 single-use cups (17,000+ pounds of waste) from reaching landfills. With ambitious goals like halving scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 2018/19 baselines, Moda Center is poised to keep raising the bar for sustainable operations by sports venues.

Spectrum Center, home to the Charlotte Hornets, stands out among sports and entertainment venues for its sustainability efforts, excelling in energy efficiency, waste diversion, and water conservation. The venue’s commitment to sustainable energy is evidenced by continuous efforts, including reductions in energy use by 5.6% and greenhouse gas emissions by 7.6% from 2022-2023 (all while hosting 10% more events), and a goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, in part through a landmark project to power the arena using solar energy. Spectrum Center’s waste management efforts earned it the Carolina Recycling Association’s Recycling Innovation Award in 2024, and water saving measures implemented at restrooms arena-wide conserved water usage by 32%. Notably, the arena reduced waste by introducing Ball aluminum cups for beer transactions in the 2023-24 NBA season, and recently completed a trial with r.World, a reusable cup and serve ware system. Through a dedicated sustainability staff and internal Sustainability Committee, Spectrum Center further shows its commitment to continually implementing new initiatives, engaging its employees, and striving to be a model for environmental stewardship in the sports and entertainment industry.

Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, demonstrates excellence in sports sustainability through its dedication to creating an enhanced and environmentally responsible experience for every fan. The stadium's environmental efforts include renewable energy credits, reforestation projects, and innovative evergy and waste management solutions. Since 2019, Gillette Stadium has utilized two cogeneration units and natural gas fuel cell technology to produce clean, on-site energy, supplying nearly 50% of its energy needs. The venue's commitment to sustainability extends to water management, with an on-site wastewater treatment plant that reclaims 75% of total flow for reuse. Gillette Stadium has also made significant strides in reducing energy consumption, cutting electrical usage by 26% and natural gas consumption by 47% between 2007 and 2015, and maintaining electrical usage below the stadium’s 2015 usage. With its recent LEED Gold certification, ongoing pursuit of ISO 20121 certification, and early-stage efforts to reduce single-use plastics, Gillette Stadium continues to set high standards for environmental stewardship in the sports industry.

Liverpool Football Club exemplifies leadership in sports sustainability through its comprehensive environmental approach that aligns with of the 14 UN Sustainable Development Goals and as the only Premier League club that is ISO 20121 certified. The club has made significant strides in reducing carbon emissions, with 94% of operations running on clean energy, PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality across Scopes 1 and 2, and commitments to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, and achieve net zero by 2040. Other notable achievements include transitioning team bus travel to 100% biodiesel, a 28% reduction in overall waste generation since 2019, and the diversion of 100% of waste from landfills. Liverpool FC's efforts extend beyond operations to encompass social responsibility and governance, as well. With strong sustainability leadership and a dedicated Sustainability Steering Committee, Liverpool FC continues to set benchmarks for sustainability in professional sports, engaging fans, partners, and the wider community in its mission.

SailGP, the global sailing league, has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable sports through its ambitious "Race for the Future" strategy. The league is unique in its dedication to ocean and coastal biodiversity and conservation projects, including kelp forest restoration in Los Angeles, mangrove planting in Abu Dhabi, salt marsh restoration in Cadiz, seagrass restoration in Bermuda, and artificial habitat creation in Sydney Harbour. Additionally, the league integrates sustainability into team competition through its Impact League, an innovative initiative that sees teams compete in a second, impact-based leaderboard. Guided by a team of five key sustainability officers and with a commitment to reduce emissions by 55% by 2025 and a clear target of 100% clean energy use both onshore and on water by 2025, SailGP is setting new benchmarks for environmental stewardship in global sports.

NC State Athletics demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices across its operations and facilities. The department's efforts include energy efficiency and water conservation. These are exemplified by LEED Silver certification for multiple facilities including the Reynold Coliseum, the installation of solar panels on the Wendell H. Murphy Football Center, and reduced water usage using new low-flow fixtures and new native vegetation requiring no permanent irrigation system. NC State Athletics’ waste reduction efforts have a particular focus on fan engagement and student involvement, as is the case with the student-driven Zero Waste Wolfpack program, which promotes waste diversion on game days and helped divert 85,604 pounds of compostable material and 422,694 pounds of recycling from landfills over five years. Through these efforts, NC State Athletics not only contributes to the university's broader sustainability goals but also serves as a model for environmental stewardship in collegiate sports.