Tiberio Daddi, Associate Professor in Sustainability Management at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy, expert in environmental management systems and project manager in the field of sport and environment.
SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW
Tiberio Daddi, associate professor in the well-known University of Sant’Anna from Pisa, Italy, provides his expertise in the field of environmental management strategies and project management related to actions creating synergies between sport and environmental education, underlining the complexity of the topic as well as the richness in opportunities for youth in being engaged actively in these topics contributing to an important long-lasting impact.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Introduction and Experience within Youthwork, Sport, and Environment
I am a graduate in Economics with a specialization in Environmental Economics in the University of Florence and have a Master in Management and Control of the Environment in the University of Sant’Anna, and a PhD in Economics and Management focused on environmental management systems. My research interests focus on corporate environmental management, sustainable consumption and production, environmental footprint, performance, LCA, and circular economy.
My current role as an Associate Professor naturally involves continuous engagement with young people through teaching, mentoring, and supervising undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students. Supporting the next generation of sustainability leaders is a core part of my work.
In addition to my academic work, I manage several international projects, mainly funded by the European Commission, and have served as a project evaluator for EU programs. Over the last several years, my research group has also seized significant opportunities to connect sports and sustainability. Initially, our work focused on football, but over time, we expanded our research to include a variety of sports, such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, biathlon, athletics, and more.
I’m also a partner in a spin-off company of Sant’Anna University, which specializes in environmental management consulting. I am an accredited third-party environmental auditor for ISO 14001 and EMAS standards, and I’ve published more than 50 articles.
In your opinion, what are the main environmental challenges our community is facing?
Sustainability encompasses many different aspects, and it goes beyond widely discussed issues like climate change and global warming. While these are certainly critical, there are numerous other environmental challenges and opportunities that our community faces but may overlook or fail to address effectively, like the loss of biodiversity or overconsumption of natural resources.
Additionally, one significant issue is the proliferation of sustainability initiatives, which can lead to confusion and fragmentation in efforts. Many organizations and individuals find it difficult to navigate this complex landscape without the expertise needed, often resulting in mere misleading communication initiatives rather than concrete actions.
On the other hand, this can be seen as an opportunity for young people who want to approach sustainability, as specialized expertise will be increasingly demanded, offering them the chance to play a key role in driving innovative solutions and shaping a sustainable future.
In what ways do you think sport can contribute to environmental education for youth?
My experience has confirmed that sport is a powerful vehicle for environmental education. In many of the projects I’ve worked on, we’ve seen directly how sports can engage young people and raise awareness about sustainability. Research findings also show that sports encourage teamwork and discipline but can also foster a sense of shared responsibility for the environment.
The values of sports are deeply aligned with the principles of sustainability, and sports can have a dual role by working with local authorities to improve the quality of cities through sustainable sporting events, and engaging athletes as key testimonials to positively influence behaviors of local communities. Also, there are many joint initiatives between sports organisations and schools or universities, which help integrate sustainability into education and foster environmental awareness among young people.
What steps should we, as youth workers, take to effectively implement these ideas and tackle environmental challenges?
I think that an open and flexible mindset is essential for understanding the specific needs of both organizations and individuals. Sometimes, sustainability is perceived as a huge, complex, and expensive effort, which can discourage people from even trying. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that small steps are better than doing nothing at all. By encouraging gradual changes and showing how even small actions can make a big difference, also within an organisation, we can better engage them and drive the change.
Closing Statement/Suggestions
I encourage everyone, especially youth workers, to be curious, stay informed, keep an open mind, and remember that no action is too small when it comes to making a positive impact. Collaboration is also key in this field, as innovative solutions often arise from the contamination of ideas from different sectors.