Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
More than 120 professional athletes from various disciplines have joined the Sport One, Carbon Zero (SOCZ) fund to support climate action linked to their performances. New Zealand Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr committed to donating $1 for every centimetre cleared during the 2026 season, motivated by experiences like extreme flooding in Auckland in 2023 and competing in rising temperatures. Kerr highlighted the increasing need to manage body temperature to avoid heat-related performance issues, describing it as a growing challenge.
Other athletes include discus thrower Sam Mattis, who pledged 25 cents for every metre thrown; New Zealand pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, who pledged $1 for every 200 kilometres flown to compete; and Australian racewalker Rhydian Cowley, who pledged 10 cents for every kilometre walked on Strava. SOCZ was launched by High Impact Athletes in November 2025 and is guided by independent researchers at Giving Green. The initiative focuses on reducing carbon footprints from aviation, energy, and infrastructure within sports.
Giving Green's research estimates each dollar donated to SOCZ prevents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, making the fund more cost-effective than planting trees or purchasing high-quality offsets. McCartney emphasized the importance of normalizing imperfect climate action, while Cowley acknowledged that concerns about travel-linked emissions remain, but SOCZ encourages more discussion of climate action in sport.
Kerr recognized the reality of frequent air travel in his profession and prefers to acknowledge it while using his platform to take action. Mattis noted that, as a frequent traveler, his responsibility to address climate change is even greater. The athletes’ efforts highlight the impact of extreme weather on sport and aim to make climate change more tangible for wider audiences.