Nature always recovers! A degrowth analysis of event participants’ perspective on environmental impacts

This paper highlights the challenges of self-limitation, providing insights into how event sport participants relate to and act within limits. From a cultural degrowth perspective that advocates for the need to practice self-limitation and reduce environmental waste from economic activities, we examine how event participants perceive physical impacts on nature during two types of nature-based events in Jämtland, Sweden. Based on 50 semi-structured interviews, observations and photo-elicitation observations, the findings reveal the difficulties of adhering to limitations. Initially, the informants considered only trash or greenhouse gas emissions as impacts but were stunned to see photos of how impacts such as trail and soil erosion had gone beyond what they imagined. However, responsibility for limiting the effects tended to shift to others, particularly the event organisers. These two events present a paradox in tourism. The convivial idea of visiting nature collides with resource utilisation that heavily impacts the environment.

Management implications

Several suggestions of measures to consider emerged to limit impacts from participant and nature-based events, as well as for sport tourism in nature. While participants tend to transfer responsibility to the organisers and local authorities, creating awareness and guide them to a sustainable behaviour are highly appreciated.

• 1.

  Event organisers should implement stricter guidelines for participant behaviour, providing create encouragement, options and clear instructions to reduce environmental impacts, it may in very low degree decrease their experience, but more importantly shows signs of responsibility.

• 2.

  Acceptable restrictions could include walking a few metres, imposing penalties, and offering alternative routes. Local knowledge is crucial in this regard. Well-known in the respective sport should serve as role models, influencing participants to adopt more sustainable practises.

• 3.

  Policy makers must ensure that event organisers adhere to specific guidelines. Local governments must facilitate measures to protect the physical environment, providing flexibility to accommodate last-minute changes if necessary.

• 4.

  What types of environmental impacts are perceived and function differently in relation to the feeling of abundance of nature. While the importance of addressing global environmental impacts, equal attention should be given to preserving the physical environment.