One of the most interesting outcomes of BENCHES has been the development of a digital biodiversity assessment tool [2] designed for sports organisations. National and international federations, clubs and event organisers will be able to measure their impact on ecosystems more systematically, identify critical issues and define mitigation strategies. This is an important step, because whilst many sports organisations have already begun addressing climate sustainability, such as reducing CO₂ emissions or improving energy efficiency, biodiversity often remains a secondary and less-measured issue. Alongside the digital tool [2], the project will also produce a handbook on Nature-Based Solutions, operational guidelines inspired by natural processes. This means, for example, promoting sports facilities designed to integrate better with ecosystems, green space management strategies that support pollinators and local species, or natural drainage systems to limit water consumption and soil erosion [1].

BENCHES’ approach is particularly significant from a cultural perspective as well. In recent years, the concept of sustainability in sport has broadened, moving beyond a focus solely on offsetting carbon emissions or eliminating single-use plastic from events. The real challenge lies in recognising that sports organisations are part of complex socio-ecological systems. A stadium, a ski slope or a regatta are not simply ‘events’, but activities set within living environments with delicate ecological balances.

Figure 1: Athlete during a trail running race in Romania. Photo by Alin Serban on Pexels.

The project also aligns perfectly with other international initiatives such as the Sports for Nature framework, promoted by UNEP, IUCN and the IOC [4], which calls on the sports sector to protect and restore nature. The added value of BENCHES, however, lies in its practical application, providing concrete tools, training and field-tested case studies. Another strategic aspect concerns raising public awareness. Sport possesses a unique narrative and symbolic power; millions of people follow competitions, identify with athletes and teams, and attend live events. Integrating environmental conservation messages and practices into this context means reaching audiences who would rarely be reached by traditional scientific communication channels. If an international federation introduces biodiversity criteria into its events, or a major football club communicates environmental protection initiatives, the message gains visibility and legitimacy. In other words, sport can act as a cultural multiplier for the ecological transition.

BENCHES highlights a paradigm shift: nature is no longer viewed merely as a ‘backdrop’ for sport, but as an ecological infrastructure upon which the very survival of many disciplines depends. Without snow, biathlon faces a crisis; without clean water, canoeing and sailing lose their functional habitat; without resilient green spaces, many outdoor activities become less viable. In an era marked by significant signs of decline in many natural components, such as habitat loss and the reduction of animal and plant biodiversity, this awareness is set to become central. The future of sport itself is not merely about reducing its carbon footprint, but about the ability to recognise and value the natural capital that makes it possible on a daily basis.

BENCHES is therefore much more than a European research project; it is an interdisciplinary laboratory that seeks to redefine the relationship between sporting performance, environmental governance and biodiversity conservation. If it succeeds in developing tools that sports organisations can actually adopt, it could become a model that can be replicated on an international scale. Protecting nature is not merely an ethical responsibility for sport, but a prerequisite for its very future.

Cover and preview image: Sailboats, Regatta, Lake Constance. Free for use image from Pixabay