I attended the 2nd edition of the African Olympic forum on environmental preservation and the fight against climate change in Luanda, Angola, at a moment when African sport is being called upon to respond decisively to climate and environmental challenges. Convened by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ACNOA-ANOCA) in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the forum made one thing clear, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are no longer peripheral actors in sustainability, they are central to Africa’s climate response through sport.
Under the theme “African sports facing climate challenges: acting together for a sustainable future,” the Forum brought together Olympic leaders, sustainability experts, policymakers, and development partners. Across keynote addresses and panel discussions, the conversations consistently pointed to the evolving role of NOCs as drivers of environmental stewardship, education, and partnerships beyond the field of play.
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The expanding responsibility of National Olympic Committees
What struck me most was the shared understanding that NOCs must move beyond event delivery and athlete preparation to embed sustainability into governance, planning, and community engagement. Climate change is already affecting sport infrastructure, athlete welfare, and the viability of events across Africa. The response, as emphasized throughout the Forum, must be intentional and systemic.
Speakers repeatedly referenced alignment with global frameworks such as the IOC Sustainability Strategy, UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and sport for nature, while grounding actions within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action) were identified as essential anchors for sport-led environmental initiatives, while SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) emerged as the foundation for success.
Uganda Olympic Committee – Turning commitment into action
In sharing my own observations, I noted how the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) through its Sustainability in Sport Commission illustrates what practical action can look like at national level. The UOC has taken steps to integrate sustainability into sport development by prioritizing education, advocacy, and partnerships.
These initiatives include climate education workshops for athletes, coaches, and administrators; youth engagement programmes that combine sport with tree planting and environmental awareness; partnerships with environmental organizations to promote recycling and waste management; and advocacy encouraging national federations to adopt sustainability policies aligned with international frameworks.
These efforts demonstrate how sport can directly contribute to SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 12, and SDG 13, while reinforcing sport’s social value within communities. It was therefore particularly humbling to witness the Uganda Olympic Committee receive an award at the Forum in recognition of its leadership role in sustainability in sport, an acknowledgement that African-led initiatives can set meaningful benchmarks for the continent.
Confronting the challenges
The forum also offered a candid assessment of the challenges facing African NOCs. Limited financial resources, capacity constraints, and competing development priorities remain significant barriers. Many NOCs are still at early stages of sustainability integration, and gaps persist in data collection, monitoring, and reporting, critical components for measuring impact and aligning with the SDGs. Yet, these challenges were framed not as deterrents, but as opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
Lessons for the Future
As the Forum concluded, the message was unmistakable: partnerships will define the future of sustainable sport in Africa. Governments, private sector actors, environmental NGOs, academic institutions, and international bodies must work alongside NOCs to scale solutions. This spirit of collaboration lies at the heart of SDG 17, which was repeatedly emphasized as the enabler of all other sustainability goals.
Leaving Luanda, my key takeaway was that African sport is at a turning point. Climate change presents undeniable risks, but it also offers an opportunity for sport to lead by example. Through committed leadership, strategic partnerships, and alignment with the UN SDGs, NOCs can help ensure that sport in Africa is not only resilient—but a force for environmental protection and sustainable development.
The writer, Regina Hellen Lunyolo is the Chairperson, Uganda Olympic Committee Sustainability in Sport Commission
