From Fields to Arenas, From Nature to the World — Julien’s Dual Life

When you think of Julien Pierre, two vastly different images might come to mind: one of a professional rugby star battling opponents and sweating it out on the field, and another of an environmental pioneer tirelessly advocating for endangered species in the heart of the rainforest. His life seems like two parallel paths, yet they are masterfully intertwined by his extraordinary passion and unwavering conviction.

© Marie Monteil

“I’ve always felt like my life is a ‘dual race,’ protecting both the field and nature,” Julien said with a smile. This French rugby star, who played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, has shifted his focus from the pitch to the planet. Not only did he found the Play for Nature Foundation, but after retiring, he launched the Fair Play For Planet certification project to promote ecological responsibility through the power of sports.

In an exclusive interview, Julien candidly shared his journey, from his upbringing and sports career to his transformation into an environmental advocate. His story, which merges a love for nature with a passion for sports, is not just his personal triumph but a call to the world—to leverage the unity and influence of sports for a greener future.

Interview Highlights:

May Zhao: What inspired you to create the Play for Nature Foundation?

Julien Pierre: I was very fortunate to grow up in a zoo, which made me aware of the importance of nature and biodiversity conservation from an early age. My family was deeply involved in conservation work, including the reintroduction of endangered species.

I was taught to respect the environment: don’t waste anything, pick up litter, turn off the lights when leaving a room, and turn off the tap while brushing my teeth. These seemingly trivial actions are far from insignificant! All these experiences deeply ingrained the importance of environmental protection in me and gave me a strong desire to contribute.

May Zhao: Your childhood and family played a role in your environmental awareness. What happened later in life?

Julien Pierre: Later, I was lucky to play professional rugby for nearly 20 years and to participate in some of the biggest international tournaments, including the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. That was a childhood dream come true!

May Zhao: What triggered your focus on biodiversity conservation after rugby?

Julien Pierre: In 2009, a trip to Sumatra truly moved me. I witnessed severe environmental destruction there. At that moment, I told myself I must take action because this is a part of my life. As someone with influence, I felt a responsibility to act. In 2013, I founded the Play for Nature Foundation.

May Zhao: What is the most direct impact you hope the foundation will achieve?

Julien Pierre: During my rugby career, Play for Nature was my “secret garden” because I didn’t feel qualified to promote it as a rugby player. However, after retiring in 2018, I told myself we should try to combine these two forces—sports and environmental protection—and use sports as a lever for change.

In 2020, the Fair Play For Planet (FPFP) initiative was born. It is the first environmental certification label for sports clubs, venues, and events.

May Zhao: You’ve founded two organizations. Can you explain their relationship?

Julien Pierre: Before introducing FPFP, I want to talk about Play for Nature. I believe sports should play a role in environmental awareness and climate action.

Sports are a powerful medium for bringing people together and educating them. It plays a critical role in our society. No matter the sport, it can inspire us, cross boundaries and cultures, and promote values of respect, solidarity, and excellence.

For me, amateur sports are vital in educating younger generations, while professional sports have the responsibility to lead by example. Sports have the power to unite people of all ages, and I believe athletes have a unique responsibility to advocate for environmental protection as role models for the younger generation.

May Zhao: What long-term benefits do you envision your organizations providing to society?

Julien Pierre: The Play for Nature Foundation aims to protect endangered species and ecosystems across five continents. Over the years, we’ve accumulated extensive experience in research, project selection, and monitoring, recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In 2021, our board decided on a new strategy, restructuring Play for Nature into three core pillars:

• Biodiv’Monde: Funding in-situ conservation projects (in natural environments) and scientific research worldwide.

• Biodiv’Educ: Providing environmental education to youth aged 6 to 18 through innovative workshops combining games and technology.

• Biodiv’Sport: Promoting biodiversity awareness among indigenous communities and supporting relevant projects through sports-driven initiatives.

May Zhao: How can organizations collaborate better to achieve broader benefits, including partnerships with your foundation?

Julien Pierre: With the support of our ethical and scientific committees, our goal is to have a global impact on biodiversity and endangered species conservation. Our work focuses on integrating biodiversity protection into education, sports, and grassroots projects.

For example, with the Biodiv’Sport program, we attended COP16 in Cali and presented our transformation initiative, “From Fields to Forests: The Role of Sports in Biodiversity Conservation,” co-developed with Expertise France and the IUCN.

May Zhao: Do you think many athletes worldwide are aware of these issues? How can they be more effectively engaged in building a better future?

Julien Pierre: This is why I also created Fair Play For Planet (FPFP). It is the first certification label focused on environmental accountability for sports organizations.

Established in 2020 with experts in sustainability, environmental protection, and athletes from various fields, FPFP reflects a comprehensive vision of sports and sustainability. Collaborating with the French Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME), we developed a certification framework tailored to the realities of the sports industry, aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This framework encompasses 18 themes and 350 standards with measurable indicators. By participating in certification, sports organizations receive personalized support to advance environmentally and socially responsible practices.

FPFP offers an opportunity for sports organizations to improve their economic models while protecting the environment and prioritizing human welfare. Our goal is to drive transformative change and mobilize the sports community.

We firmly believe in the possibility of different forms of sports, and we are determined to move forward together, working collectively toward a more sustainable and ideal future for sports!