Since 2023, LONGi has been a sponsor of the ATP Tour. At first glance, solar energy and tennis may seem unrelated, but there are several meaningful connections between the two. Even more, between sport and sustainability. Few people realize that sporting events, especially major international tournaments, have a significant impact on the climate due to their large carbon footprints. A major future challenge for all stakeholders will be to make sporting events either low-carbon or carbon-free. This requires everyone to work together: organizers, politicians, communities, suppliers and civil society. At LONGi, we are committed to doing our part.
With the upcoming Laver Cup in Berlin, it’s time to look back on our motivations to join forces with ATP Tour in 2023. Here are some facts that illustrate the inescapable link between sport and sustainability, and ultimately why LONGi decided to become the Official Solar Energy and Hydrogen Partner of the ATP Tour - making solar and tennis a match.
Sport events: big business and big carbon emitters - we wanted to choose a field where we can make a difference
As a global industry, sport has the potential to make significant contributions to climate change, both in terms of carbon emissions and influence over sustainability practices. However, the evidence regarding these impacts is currently limited and spread across many disciplines. Estimates suggest that annual global emissions from the sport could be of the order of 350 million tCO2e equating to about 1% of all emissions linked to energy and cement production in 2019. For comparison: Aviation is responsible for about 2-3% of global CO2 emissions annually.
In 2020, the global sport market reached a value of over US$500 billion and is projected to exceed US$700 billion by 2026. As a result, emissions from sporting events around the world are expected to continue to rise, and smart, collaborative solutions are needed to reduce this carbon footprint. The role of sponsors is just as important as the role of everyone involved in organizing, delivering and attending events.
Sport has unifying power, global influence and visibility - we wanted to raise awareness of the high carbon footprint of sporting events around the world
There is no more effective or impactful way to promote the importance of sustainability in sport than through the medium of sporting events. They have the ability to reach and engage people at all levels of society. Regardless of language, ethnicity, or background, people who follow or play sport share a common interest in their team or sport, which fosters a sense of camaraderie. Last, it offers an arena where individuals of various socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and genders can participate and succeed. Iconic athletes like Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, and Muhammad Ali have become global symbols, not just of athletic achievement but also of breaking racial and gender barriers, inspiring millions across the world.
Tennis is a globally popular sport with millions of fans worldwide. According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), over 87 million people globally play tennis, representing roughly 1.17% of the world’s population. This includes both recreational and professional players. Tennis is also known as a spectator sport, as it consistently attracts large global television audiences. In 2023, the ATP Tour reported a total live audience of 844 million watching 63 tournaments in 31 countries.
This makes it an ideal platform to raise awareness of the fact that all sporting events have an environmental cost and how we, as a society dedicated to sport, can improve the carbon footprint.
Tennis as a platform for change - Just as LONGi is perceived as a strong voice in the energy transition, tennis has very influential climate change ambassadors among its players
Similarly, tennis has a unique ability to inspire a global audience. Players, fans and tournament organizers are increasingly recognizing their role in raising awareness of climate change and promoting sustainability - also by partnering with the right sponsors and companies.
Additionally, athletes have used their voices to raise awareness for environmental causes and aim at bringing attention to sustainability in tennis.
Novak Djokovic has often emphasized the importance of sustainability in sport and daily life. In 2021, he advocated for tennis events to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, calling for better waste management and a reduction in single-use plastics at tournaments.
Naomi Osaka is known for using her platform to speak out on social issues. But she has also been vocal about climate change. As part of her advocacy, she aims to inspire younger generations to take climate action and make more eco-conscious choices in their daily lives.
Dominic Thiem is another player passionate about environmental causes. He has spoken about the effects of climate change and promotes sustainability initiatives. He has been involved in the "1% for the Planet" initiative, where he donates 1% of his annual earnings to environmental causes and organizations committed to sustainability.
LONGi's role in the ATP Laver Cup: A partnership for greener sports
In recent years, businesses across all sectors have begun recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices. As one of the leading solar energy companies, LONGi’s involvement with the ATP’s Laver Cup represents a meaningful step in our mission to create a more sustainable future and promote the importance of green sport.
Part of this is our "Plan G-E-T" initiative - Green Energy Tours - where LONGi promotes the importance of sustainability and carbon neutrality in sports.
At its core, PLAN GET focuses on creating a greener, low-carbon sport lifestyle by integrating clean energy solutions into tennis tournaments and encouraging fans and participants to contribute to environmental protection.
Energy management remains a key focus area
The energy consumption in a tennis stadium can vary widely depending on several factors, including the size of the venue, the type of tournament, and whether the stadium is equipped with lighting, air conditioning, and other energy-intensive systems.
The total energy consumption of the largest and most popular tennis tournaments has been estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000 MWh for the duration of each event, which typically lasts 1-2 weeks. This brings us back to LONGi's DNA and our mission to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-free life. Solar plays a leading role in this transition. It is abundant. Solar energy is virtually limitless. The sun provides more energy to Earth in one hour than the entire world consumes in a year. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite, solar energy can be harnessed for billions of years, making it one of the most sustainable options. In the future, many sport facilities can and should take advantage of this potential to help turn sport into green sport.
Learn more about our sustainability engagement and follow us on LONGi’s Linkedin Channel for Europe.
LONGi Solar is one of the world’s largest solar technology companies. It is a subsidiary of LONGi Green Energy Technology (LONGi), which was founded in 2000. LONGi has more than 60,000 employees in 30+ locations and 30 manufacturing sites globally. Its European headquarters are located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
LONGi is the first Chinese solar manufacturer to join the three distinguished climate initiatives RE100, EP100 and EV100. Under the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), LONGi has set a 2030 emission reduction target aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent across its operations and productions compared to 2020 levels.