With UN help,IPL to go green

“We will try to make the IPL games more eco-friendly by incorporating best practices such as recycling used water,minimising use of plastic and campaigning through merchandises prepared for the tournament,” he said.

“There is large audience available through IPL for environment awareness and we want to explore this opportunity through various programmes,” said Shende.

He said the UNEP would also be looking at the aspect of behavioural changes. “If a player or spectators start adopting eco-friendly ways,it will be a great contribution to the environment,” he said.

“UNEP will facilitate the identification of climate and Ozone friendly technologies that protect the ozone layer and also derive climate benefit at the IPL venues,offices and stadiums particularly in air conditioning and refrigeration,” said Shende.

Former captain of Indian test cricket team Chandu Borde said the eco-friendly atmosphere would help increase the performance of player.

“If the air pollution is less,it will directly contribute to the stamina of a palyer. Such initiatives should be boosted for the good of the game,” he said.

“Through this partnership with UNEP,the IPL joins the ranks of global events,such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup,which are working with the UN Environment Programme to green their events,” the IPL said in a statement.

The partnership,which kicks off with the India Premier League that will be played over 45 days starting on March 12,is a first-of-a-kind initiative undertaken by any sporting body in India,it claims. “In close cooperation with UNEP,the IPL will calculate its carbon footprint and compensate the emissions of some of its games. As the partnership develops,the IPL will compensate more and more of its games and green its operations,from waste management to energy efficiency and water,” it says.

“The UNEP will assist IPL in its long-term green vision of achieving climate neutrality,supporting the IPL’s efforts to reduce emissions through the introduction of renewable energy,” Shinde said.