From December 9–20, 2025, the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) will be held across Thailand’s major cities — Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla. More than 12,500 athletes from eleven nations are expected to compete for 574 gold medals in 50 sports, making this the largest sporting event in Southeast Asia.

Why the SEA Games matter

Southeast Asia is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. Sporting events showcase collaboration, sportsmanship, and athletic excellence, but they also amplify climate risks — both by contributing to emissions and by exposing athletes and fans to dangerous conditions.

Thailand knows these risks firsthand. In April 2023, the country experienced its highest-ever recorded temperature, 45.4°C, part of a regional heatwave. Bangkok, averaging just 1.5 meters above sea level, remains highly exposed to flooding: in 2011, one-fifth of the city was submerged, and scientists warn that by 2050, a third of the capital could be underwater.

During the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, temperatures climbed near 40°C and haze choked the air. No official impact assessment was conducted, but officials worried the heat would hinder performance, and analysts noted that athletes who managed conditions better often outperformed their rivals. The lesson is clear: climate impacts already affect competitive balance, safety, and experience.

From logos to low carbon

Sponsors have traditionally been financiers whose logos dominate stadiums and broadcasts. But in 2025, when the region faces intensifying climate pressures — from deadly typhoons to earthquakes — their role must evolve. Sponsors now have the opportunity, and responsibility, to be catalysts for climate leadership.

Governments, too, can leverage procurement standards, contracts, and financial mechanisms to demand sustainable practices across the Games’ supply chain. Thailand has already branded the 33rd SEA Games as the first “low-carbon” edition, pledging to cut emissions by more than 50 percent through measures like renewable energy, eco-transport, waste reduction, and plastic-free venues. To succeed, sponsors must align their financial and brand commitments with these ambitious goals.

By embedding sustainability into every contract and commitment, [Sponsors} can transform the Games into a landmark for climate action.

There are precedents to learn from. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics ran entirely on clean energy, with facilities converted afterward into solar and wind farms supplying a tenth of the city’s electricity. The 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou relied heavily on existing venues. The 2024 Paris Olympics used 95 percent existing or temporary venues and ran on 100 percent renewable energy, avoiding an estimated one million tonnes of CO? compared to traditional builds. SEA Games sponsors can accelerate progress by pushing the Games toward similar standards, rather than waiting for organizers to act.

Avoiding the greenwashing trap

Declaring a “Green and Sustainable SEA Games” is easy; delivering on it is harder. To avoid greenwashing, three principles are critical.

Independent measurement and audits. A baseline carbon footprint should be published before the opening ceremony, with post-Games audits disclosing actual performance against targets. Electricity, transport, accommodations, waste, and merchandise must all be accounted for, and results made public.

Robust standards and certifications. Organizers and sponsors can adopt frameworks such as ISO 20121 (Sustainable Events) and the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. Cambodia’s 2023 Games signed onto the UN framework; Thailand should build on this with rigorous implementation, not rhetorical promises.

Action over slogans. Visible, measurable initiatives matter more than branding. Improvements to affordable public transit between host cities, for example, would benefit both athletes and fans while reducing emissions. Sponsors must demonstrate real progress with phrases like “we achieved” rather than “we aim to.”

What climate champions could deliver

A truly sustainable SEA Games could showcase:

• 100% renewable energy: All venues powered by solar, wind, or certified green electricity, with on-site generation where possible.
• Efficient, low-carbon venues: Maximizing existing facilities, minimizing new construction, and ensuring green building standards where new structures are required.
• Sustainable transport: Free or discounted public transit with event tickets, electric shuttle buses, and safe cycling networks.
• Zero single-use plastics: Water refill stations, deposit-return cups, reusable food containers, and robust recycling and composting programs.
• Low-carbon food and merchandise: Plant-forward menus, local sourcing, recycled materials in medals and apparel.
• Transparent sustainability dashboard: A public online portal tracking real-time data on energy use, water consumption, waste diversion, and carbon emissions — like a medal table for sustainability.

Call to action

The 33rd SEA Games present a pivotal moment for Southeast Asia. Sponsors can remain passive financiers — or they can lead. By embedding sustainability into every contract and commitment, they can transform the Games into a landmark for climate action.

The stakes are clear: athletes will be competing under searing heat, and fans will be sitting in it. The climate clock is ticking. It is time for sponsors to move from logos to leadership, proving that sport can not only entertain but also champion the resilience of the region.