Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Yankees Sign United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.



This morning, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) announced that the New York Yankees have become the first major North American sports team to join the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.


The Yankees are the first major North American sports team to sign on to the Framework, the aim of which is to bring greenhouse emissions in line with the Paris Climate Change Agreement and inspire others to take ambitious climate action.

The team joins numerous prominent international organizations committed to the Framework, including the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, the French Tennis Federation-Roland Garros, Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Rugby League World Cup 2021, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, UEFA, World Surf League, Formula E, and others.

New York Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner issued the following statement:
“The New York Yankees are proud to support the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework. For many years the Yankees have been implementing the type of climate action now enshrined in the Sports for Climate Action principles, and with this pledge the Yankees commit to continue to work collaboratively with our sponsors, fans and other relevant stakeholders to implement the UN’s climate action agenda in sports.”

The Yankees, and other signatories to the framework, commit to support the following 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.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recognized the importance of having a team as prominent and influential as the Yankees endorse the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, and he said the following:
“I welcome the announcement by the New York Yankees to join Sports for Climate Action. With their rich winning tradition, the Yankees bring a new level of leadership to global efforts to tackle climate change. When it comes to safeguarding our future, it’s time to play ball."

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa remarked on the global impact that the Yankees’ signing can have:
“I applaud the New York Yankees, this legendary club with its legions of passionate fans, for taking this important step, signing on to the Sports for Climate Action Framework. We need leading organizations like the Yankees to stand up for ambitious action on climate change for the good of the planet and present and future generations.”

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