With the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference underway, global sports stars including Andy Murray, Eliud Kipchoge, and Tom Daley, have appealed to world leaders to take action on climate change.

Known as the COP26, the conference aims to achieve global net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees, and aim for 1.5 degrees. Leaders from over 100 countries are taking part at COP26 to make commitments towards achieving the desired goals.

Andy Murray appeals to leaders at COP26

Calling it the ‘Olympic of climate summits’, participants at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Games sent a powerful video message to world leaders.

The athletes recalled the challenges they overcame while competing at the Olympics and urged the world leaders to do the same by building a global response to the climate crisis.

3-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray, New Zealand tennis player Marcus Daniell, British gymnast Max Whitlock, Australian winner Emma McKeon were among the 50 athletes representing 40 countries, delivering an emotional message to leaders at the COP26.

“Dear leader of the world, this summer at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympics Games, we as athletes chased excellence in the face of challenges…Each Games seeks to deliver a lasting legacy. But how do we pass on the legacy if there’s isn’t a safe and healthy planet to experience it…Over the next fortnight we will be looking to you and supporting you, to forge the ultimate legacy: a healthy, safe Earth for all,” appealed athletes across the globe.

Climate change has adversely affected sporting events across the world. The wildfires affected the 2020 Australian Open, which resulted in the smoke billowing into the stadium complex and causing breathing difficulties for the players.

At the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the officials forcefully canceled two matches on safety grounds as typhoons hit the event. Therefore, decisions made at the COP26 are of utmost importance, as the world is running out of time to reverse the impact of climate change.

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