Almost one in six Belgians notices effects of climate change while working out

Sixteen per cent of active Belgians already notice the effects of climate change quite strongly today while exercising. Whether it is a lack of snow in ski resorts or heat waves that sometimes make it hard to exercise outside in our own country during the summer. At the same time, eight in 10 Belgians realise that exercising in the countryside is important to feel good, both mentally and physically. This is the outcome of a survey conducted among more than 1,000 Belgians on behalf of Decathlon. In this context, the sports store chain is launching the 'Re-Sports Deal': an umbrella term that makes it clear in all Belgian Decathlon shops which sportswear, equipment and services have a lesser impact on the environment and climate.

Melting snow in the mountains, coral bleaching, flooded or withered sports fields and more heat waves which make exercising and spending time playing sports impossible in summer. Sixteen per cent of Belgians are already noticing the effects of climate change while practising their favourite sport. The lack of snow in the ski resorts this spring has given Belgians an additional wake-up call, as only 6% said a year ago that climate change was affecting their sporting activities. At the same time, almost half of the Belgians are not willing to make any sacrifices to decrease their carbon footprint while exercising. For example by taking the train to go on a skiing holiday or on a match trip with the team, by waiting a year to buy the latest of the latest or by going on a sports holiday a little closer to home: 47% of those surveyed are not amenable to it.

Nature bath

At the same time, we do realise that spending time and exercising outdoors can be beneficial. Eight in ten Belgians are convinced that such a 'natural bath' makes them feel better mentally and physically. And 78% feel that we still have enough countryside in our country for sports, according to the survey.

Smaller ecological sports footprint

With its brand new 'Re-Sports Deal', Decathlon demonstrates that sports with a smaller ecological footprint is both possible and affordable. That umbrella term covers all products and services that are less environmentally damaging than buying new sports equipment. Among others, Decathlon's second-hand offer and rental and repair service fit into this. A lot of products on the shelves of all Decathlon shops in our country and online also fall under the common banner 'Re-Sports Deal' as from today.

Nathan Goddefroy, Decathlon Belgium: “Sustainable change is not possible if we do not offer alternatives to buying new products. To reduce our CO2 emissions, we need to gradually shift from owning products towards using them. Just as we do not need to buy a car to use one, we do not necessarily always need to buy new sports equipment. That is why our rental, second-hand and buy-back services are very important, as are the repair and maintenance services of our workshops. After all, longer use of sports equipment means we need to produce fewer new ones, and so we reduce our carbon footprint. We think it is important that we also help Belgians to shop more sustainably. We do this by using the new term Re-Sports Deal to show which products are made by taking into account their environmental impact, or have a smaller carbon impact.”

The planet as a sports ground

For several years now, Decathlon has embedded the circular economy as an integral part of its business model. The sports store chain has already set up several projects around the rental of sports equipment, the sale of second-hand products and the repair of damaged sportswear. These services will also fall under the 'Re-Sports Deal' banner.Nathan Goddefroy, Decathlon Belgium: “The planet is our sports ground. We need to look after it. Our international climate target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To contribute to these international targets, we have our own Belgian targets that contribute to reducing our environmental impact. These four targets form the backbone of our Re-Sports Deal. They are quantifiable and are in line with the Paris climate agreement. ​ We know that, like any other retailer, our activities have an impact on the environment. That is why we are taking steps and adapting our operations to reduce them step by step. Sustainable development is not a dash, but a marathon. The Re-Sports Deal should help us cross the finish line of that marathon with ease.”