JRFU Signs Sports for Climate Action Framework
The Japan Rugby Football Union has strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability by signing the United Nations’ ‘Sports for Climate Action Framework’. The move reinforces Japanese rugby’s ambition to help address climate change by reducing the environmental impact of Japan’s involvement in rugby, both domestically and on the world stage.
As the first Japanese sporting body, and the first national rugby union in the world to sign the Framework, the JRFU is looking to take a leading role in promoting environmental responsibility in sport.
The effects of climate change, such as extreme heat and excessive rainfall pose a significant and growing risk to players, spectators, and the overall sustainability of rugby. These changes to weather patterns will undoubtedly have an impact on the future of the sport, making it essential that sporting bodies start to act now.
The JRFU recognises the urgent need to minimise its environmental impact across all of its operations, from the day-to-day management of the game, to organising and hosting rugby matches – from the grassroots level, up to international test matches.
The JRFU commits to the following initiatives to tackle its impact of climate change:
1. Signing the Sports for Climate Action Framework
– On 9 October 2024, the JRFU signed the Framework, pledging to take meaningful action on climate change.
2. Formulating an Environmental Sustainability Action Policy
– By March 2025, the JRFU will develop and publish its ‘Environmental Sustainability Action Policy’, outlining concrete targets and plans for promoting sustainability across Japanese rugby.
The Sports for Climate Action Framework
Launched at COP24 in December 2018, the Framework encourages sports organisations to lead by example in addressing climate change. The initiative focuses on two key objectives- 1) making sports operations more sustainable and 2) using the platform of sport to raise awareness among fans and the public.
The framework is built on five guiding principles:
- Undertake
systematic efforts to promote greater environmental
responsibility - Reduce overall climate impact
- Educate for climate action
- Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
- Advocate for climate action through communication
Since 2018, over 200 global sports organisations, including FIFA, FIBA, and World Rugby, have signed the Framework.
The JRFU’s Long-Term Vision for Sustainability
The JRFU is committed to making Japan a global leader in rugby, through its ambitious vision outlined in its ‘Japan Rugby 2050’ strategy. This includes the potential re-bidding to host the Rugby World Cup Japan and using rugby as a driver for positive social change beyond sport.
Building on this, the Japan Rugby Medium-term Strategic Plan (2021-2024) sets out key areas of focus, including sustainability. The JRFU believes that promoting environmental sustainability is essential to creating a more accessible and inclusive future for rugby.
Future Steps
In line with the signing of the Sports for Climate Action Framework, the JRFU will work closely with World Rugby and it’s ‘Environmental Sustainability 2030’ strategy, focusing on three priority themes: 1) climate action, 2) circular economy, and 3) protecting the natural environment. This will be supported by specific initiatives, such as incorporating sustainability into governance, reducing the impact of rugby-related activities, and managing events with sustainability in mind.
The JRFU will establish its own quantitative targets, and an action plan based on the current state of Japanese rugby, ensuring continued progress in sustainability efforts. Updates on the progress of these initiatives will be made available on the JRFU website and included in annual reports.