WBSC strengthens commitment to Sustainability with first Materiality Assessment

In the year of its 11th anniversary, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has completed its first Materiality Assessment - a strategic milestone in advancing its sustainability leadership.

The project, managed with DEKRA Assurance Services GmbH (Germany), aims to identify, prioritise, and manage key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics relevant to WBSC’s operations and stakeholder expectations.

“Conducting a robust materiality assessment is a crucial foundation for effective and accountable sustainability management," said DEKRA Senior Expert, Sustainability Simon Fink. "Drawing on our long-standing experience in both sustainability management and the professional sports sector, we are pleased to support the WBSC in taking meaningful responsibility within and beyond sport.”

Following the double materiality principle (impact materiality + financial materiality), the assessment identified a range of potential ESG topics, which were subsequently refined into a strategic focus matrix.

Key topics include ethical management, compliance and transparency; health and safety (for athletes, staff, and spectators); fair working conditions; diversity and inclusion; community engagement; waste management; human rights; and financially material aspects such as CO₂ emissions, renewable energy use, sustainable partnerships, and responsible procurement.

The WBSC Materiality Assessment Report strengthens transparency and accountability towards stakeholders - including National Federations, the International Olympic Committee, sponsors, and fans — and provides a structured foundation for risk management and long-term sustainability planning. It also reinforces the WBSC’s leadership among international sports federations in integrating ESG considerations into governance.

Aligned with the WBSC Strategic Plan, and with the aim of enhancing transparency and advancing holistic sustainability practices that actively contribute to sustainable development, the WBSC will use the project’s findings to update its sustainability strategy and embed material topics into policy frameworks (e.g., event management, fair working conditions, diversity) while also developing measurable targets (KPIs), establish a periodic monitoring system, and plan for regular reassessment cycles and broader stakeholder engagement in future editions.