Do We Need Esports Ecology? Comparisons of Environmental Impacts Between Traditional Sport and Esports

Abstract

The impact of climate change will require a closer examination of esports’ environmental impact and how the environment will impact esports. This paper presents a conceptual examination of this bidirectional relationship between esports and the environment by utilizing the framework of sport ecology. Aspects of the Sport Event Environmental Performance Measurement tool and the Climate Vulnerability of Sport Organizations framework may be applicable to esports in future research to better understand this environmental relationship. There are similarities in how live esports events are hosted when compared to traditional sports, but the potential for remote competition does change the dynamic of this environmental relationship. While remote competition can limit environmental exposure and impact, it does potentially create two environmental points of exposure and impact compared with one at an in-person event. More development is required in this space to better understand the role of esports organizations and the nature of esports itself.