Overview
The purpose of this research is to gain insights into the perspectives of large
NCAA athletic departments regarding environmental responsibility and to
better understand their green practices and inititiatives.  The survey (2nd annual) was conducted in May, 2010 among 119 FBS division schools. Survey participation was exceptional:   73 out of 119 FBS schools (61%) participated.  Over 93% of survey respondents are Associate or Assistant Athletic Directors (Facilities, Operations or Events), Facilities Directors or Managers, or Campus-wide Sustainability Directors.   

Survey Summary – a Growing Emphasis on Sustainability Issues
The 2010 survey results indicate NCAA FBS division athletic departments are placing a greater emphasis on environmental sustainability programs when compared to survey results from 2009.  For example, athletic departments are increasingly forming green teams, developing sustainability plans and expecting the emphasis on environmental programs to increase even more in the future.  The greatest barrier to implementing green programs continues to be financial – over 50% of teams indicate that “unclear return on investment” is the largest concern among key decision makers.  Over 25% of survey respondents indicated that the economic downturn is currently causing them to curtail at least some environmental plans or programs.   Nonetheless, NCAA athletic departments are increasingly going green as indicated in the Highlighted Trend information below.

2010 Athletic Department Sustainability Survey – Highlighted Trends

Survey Question/Sustainability Issue      2009    2010
Athletic Department is making environmental initiatives a “high” or “very high” priority      44.3%    52.0%
Athletic department has formed or is firmly planning to form a green team     21.7%    38.1%
Athletic Department has developed or is actively considering developing a strategic sustainability plan with short- and long-term objectives     24.8%    36.1%
Key decision makers in Athletic Department have a positive perspective of environmental initiatives     68.7%    79.5%
In the future, the emphasis on environmental programs will increase      71.4%    83.6%
Key decision makers in Athletic Department rate the importance of student athlete engagement in environmental program as “very high.”      29.8%    40.3%
Key decision makers in Athletic Department think that environmental program will have a positive effect on fan loyalty     30.2%    43.8%
Economic  downturn is causing athletic department to curtail some environmental plans or programs     15.6%    26.0%

Full 2010 Athletic Department Survey Results

Sign up to receive the full 2010 Athletic Department Survey Results including all survey questions, answers and comments. The survey contains detailed information on energy, recycling, water conservation, green building and operational practices, and many other sustainability topics .  

Sustainability Trends among Professional Sports Organizations.
By conducting the same survey with both NCAA athletic departments and professional sports organizations, we have a unique opportunity to compare and contrast sustainability perspectives and practices.  Our latest Professional Sports Sustainability Survey, conducted in September, 2009, was responded to by 54 teams from the National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball.

Generally, professional sports teams are ahead of college athletic departments in implementing environmental programs and recognizing the business opportunity.   Please see the table below for highlighted comparisons.


Survey Question/Sustainability Initiative		           NCAA
      Athletic
  Department		      Pro
  Team
Making environmental initiatives a “high” or “very high” priority      52.0%   59.2%
Has formed or is firmly planning to form a green team      38.1%   78.4%
Has developed or is actively considering developing a strategic sustainability plan with short- and long-term objectives      36.1%   50.0%
Key decision makers have a positive perspective of environmental initiatives      79.5%   92.5%
In the future, the emphasis on environmental programs will increase       83.6%   79.6%
Key decision makers think environmental programs will have a positive effect on bottom line.         16.7%   48.2%
Key decision makers think that environmental program will have a positive effect on fan or brand loyalty      43.8%   69.8%
Economic  downturn is causing organization to curtail some environmental plans or programs      26.0%    31.5%
Concerns with implementing environmental programs:
                                          Unclear return on investment		      
     51.4%		  
   66.6%
                                          Keeping ahead of competition       34.3%    50.0%
                                          Green programs are passing fad       14.3%      7.5%

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