OTTAWA – (July 8, 2026) – Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) today unveiled Team Canada's Sustainability Strategy for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, reinforcing its commitment to reducing environmental impacts while inspiring athletes, staff and Canadians to help build a more sustainable future through sport.
Building on the success of Team Canada's carbon neutral initiative at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Glasgow 2026 strategy expands beyond emissions reduction to embed sustainability throughout Team Canada's Games planning, operations and legacy.
"Representing Canada means striving for excellence in everything we do. For Glasgow 2026, that includes competing at the highest level while embracing opportunities to reduce our environmental impact and inspire others to do the same,” says Claire Carver-Dias, President, Commonwealth Sport Canada. “Through this strategy, Team Canada is helping demonstrate how sport can be a powerful force for positive change, leaving a legacy that benefits not only future athletes, but future generations."
Guided by the theme Building a More Sustainable Future Through Sport, the strategy is built around three pillars:
Action & Accountability – reducing Team Canada's environmental footprint through responsible planning, greenhouse gas measurement and verified Canadian carbon offsetting;
Advocacy – using the power of Team Canada and its athletes to promote environmental stewardship and inspire positive action; and
Education & Capacity Building – providing athletes, coaches, mission staff and partners with practical tools and knowledge to support sustainable behaviours before, during and after the Games.
As part of the strategy, Commonwealth Sport Canada will once again work toward carbon neutrality for Team Canada's Glasgow 2026 mission through a comprehensive approach focused on:
reducing greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible;
measuring emissions associated with Team Canada's Games operations; and
offsetting unavoidable emissions through verified Canadian nature-based climate solutions.
Reduction initiatives include optimizing travel and logistics, reducing single-use materials, incorporating sustainability into Games operations, and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours across the Team Canada delegation.
Team Canada's Sustainability Strategy complements Glasgow 2026's ambition to deliver A Greener Games by aligning with the Glasgow Organizing Committee's focus on a low-carbon, circular and resource-efficient event. All 2026 athletes and team members will experience a Games built around existing world-class venues, a compact competition footprint, renewable electricity, electric and hybrid transportation where feasible, refillable water stations, reduced single-use plastics, reuse and recycling initiatives, and a zero waste to landfill ambition. Together, for the 2026 Games, these measures demonstrate how major international sporting events can reduce their environmental impact while maintaining a world-class athlete experience.
"Our sustainability strategy is about more than reducing emissions," said Ryan Pelley, Program Manager, Sport for Development and Environmental Sustainability at Commonwealth Sport Canada. "Sport depends on healthy natural environments, and we all have a responsibility to protect them. By creating awareness, encouraging action, and empowering every athlete, coach, manager and volunteer to make sustainable choices, we can leave a positive legacy for future generations."
Throughout the 2026 Games, Team Canada athletes and staff will be encouraged to support sustainability by carrying reusable water bottles, reducing food waste, using official transportation efficiently, recycling correctly, participating in reuse initiatives and sharing their experiences to inspire others.
By embedding sustainability into its planning and operations, Commonwealth Sport Canada aims to strengthen the connection between sport, nature and community while creating momentum that extends well beyond Glasgow 2026.
ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 148 athletes, including one guide, 81 team officials and 20 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performances by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA
Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic and Paralympic Games and world championships and enriches the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and hosts the Commonwealth Games. For additional information, go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Ryan Pelley
Program Manager, Sport for Development and Environmental Sustainability
Commonwealth Sport Canada
Email: [email protected]
613-244-6868 ext. 3
Patrick Kenny
Chief Communications Officer, Team Canada 2026
Email: [email protected]
613 724 7160