Environmental Sustainability and the National Hockey League: A Review of the Seven Canadian Teams

Environmentalists consistently note that the way we live and work is having devastating impacts on the environment, and immediate change is required if the planet is to be saved. Legislation is being enacted to force industries and companies to change their business practices so the impact of their programs and services is less damaging to the environment. Some organizations, including professional sports teams and facilities, have implemented environmentally friendly programs and practices to reduce their environmental impact. They have subsequently celebrated these developments as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate environmental responsibility (CER) programs. The researchers reviewed the programs and practices of the seven National Hockey League (NHL) teams based in Canada and, based on these assessments, offered suggestions for improvement based on the best practices of teams and facilities from other sports and facilities across the globe. These environmental programs should serve as the most critical component of their corporate social responsibility program. Keywords: corporate environmental responsibility, National Hockey League, Canada