What makes national sports federations consider environmental sustainability: a conceptual framework on the agenda-setting process based on a multiple case study

Given the large number of individuals involved in sports, sports’ environmental impact, such as through travel patterns or habitat destruction, is considerable. National sports federations, acting as representatives of sports clubs and actively involved in sports policy matters, can play a crucial role in addressing environmental sustainability within and through organised sports. However, these federations traditionally prioritise the interests of their members and the sports itself. Hence, this study explores the key drivers of environmental policy agenda-setting processes in national sports federations. Based on a multiple case study involving eight Swiss sports federations, the developed conceptual framework suggests that while nature conservation policies were predominantly initiated by dealing with national regulations, climate action policies were pushed by committed federation officials. Understanding the dynamics of agenda-setting in environmental policies is crucial, as it forms the basis for subsequent decision-making and implementation, thereby shaping the organised sports community’s response to environmental challenges.