NBA teams travel large distances across the US as part of their playing schedule.

In recent years the organisation has changed its scheduling to reduce travel. For instance, teams may play the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic – both based in Florida – on the same trip.

According to Earth Day, in the 2022-23 season the NBA decreased its annual overall travel by 50,000 miles.

Fan travel can make up 65-80%, external of the carbon footprint of the event industry, according to Justin Zeulner of The Wave Foundation.

The NBA also hosts games overseas and the Nuggets kicked off their 2024 pre-season schedule with two games in Abu Dhabi.

“For our jobs, sometimes we can’t help that we do have to travel,” Jordan said. “In my mind, I’m thinking, if I have to do this, then why not have some sort of change in my everyday life to be able to help reverse certain things?”

As part of the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework, the NBA aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 50%, external by 2030.

Other initiatives it has undertaken include reducing plastic bottles in offices by 80% and launching an NBA Arena Sustainability Task Force.

“I remember when I first came into the league, we’d have NBA Green Week and we’d wear Green Week shirts with a recycling logo on it, but that was pretty much it,” Jordan said.

“As the years have gone on, we’ve done a better job of being able to implement these ideas into the arenas.”

Earlier this week Arsenal’s plan to reach net-zero by 2040 was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Their plan for net-zero, external includes decarbonising energy consumption at Emirates Stadium and the training ground, reducing travel emissions, minimising waste and working with partners and suppliers to reduce emissions from the goods that the club purchases.