BCCI teams up with United Nations to promote ‘green’ cricket in India
BCCI authorities have joined hands with the United Nations in a bid to generate awareness about environmental challenges in India and put forth more sustainable solutions. The agreement will see the BCCI carry out operations in an environmentally friendly manner and conduct green initiatives.
With global warming a never-ending topic of discussions at major global summits, the United Nations have placed utmost importance on environmental health on a global level. The Indian government on their part as well, have been active in promoting green alternatives as well as generating awareness on various environmental issues ranging from CO2 emission levels to sanitary health.
Now in a bid to spread awareness on environmental issues in India, the United Nations have teamed up with BCCI authorities as the two organisations reached an agreement recently. As part of the deal, the BCCI will work to reduce its environmental impact by greening operations and reducing its carbon footprint while also engaging cricketers and fans in green initiatives.
“The Board is happy to announce its partnership with UN Environment. This is a major step in spreading the message of environmental conservation. We will help make cricket green and sensitise spectators towards minimising waste generation during matches,” said BCCI secretary, Amitabh Choudhary in an official statement.
The partnership will also place emphasis on giving out single-use plastic across stadiums in the country. The BCCI had already begun raising awareness during the course of IPL 2018, as they displayed a film with messages from captains of various franchises highlighting hazards of plastic pollution. The Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore had started a tradition of dedicating one IPL game each season towards environmental awareness. In the match chosen, the RCB team would don green jerseys instead of the traditional red ones in a bid to spread awareness on the issue.
“The environment and sports are more closely connected than people think. If we don’t have a healthy environment, then sports will not thrive. I am delighted that UN Environment is partnering with the BCCI to use the power of cricket to inspire action for a cleaner environment,” said Eric Solheim, executive director of UN Environment.