Individual and team sport as we know can be vital parts of a community’s health.
Outdoor sport in particular is being affected by climate change, for example:
- outdoor pitches too flooded for playing matches
- river water too contaminated for safe rowing
SPORT ENGLAND has a range of resources available to help, including funding and training.
Further good practice in response to climate concerns is being collected – please register as a community group on this website if you have good practice of your own to share.
Meanwhile other national sporting bodies are developing their own strategies:
The FA has a sustainability strategy “Playing For The Future” with three key objectives:
- SHOOT FOR NET ZERO – fight climate change and reduce emissions
- SAVE OUR RESOURCES – optimise resource consumption
- MAKE AN IMPACT – deliver and govern change across football
ENGLAND AND WALES CRICKET BOARD (ECB)
The ECB have “An Environmental Sustainability Plan For Cricket” with three priorities:
- Tackling Climate Change
- Managing Resources & Waste
- Protecting Natural Environment
The RFU have a Community Help Portal with particular advice on flooding.
The RFL have an environmental sustainability strategy “More Than A Sport” with three priorities:
- TACKLING NETZERO – calculating and reducing carbon emissions
- TRY SCORING RESOURCES – responsible energy consumption, environmental decision making, sustainable procurement
- CONVERTING OUR PRACTISE – educating and networking
England Hockey outlines the importance of sustainable facilities in hockey. They offer ‘support on all aspects of managing and improving your facilities. These range from design and construction guidance for clubhouse and changing rooms through to pitch maintenance’.
British Rowing have an environmental sustainability strategy “Helping Our Waters Thrive” with six objectives:
- Help our waters thrive
- Reduce our carbon footprint
- Embed sustainable practice into our operations
- Be agile
- Learn, educate and facilitate
- Inspire and Celebrate
Aquatics GB launched their Environmental Sustainability Strategy in April 2024,
England Golf have a Sustainability Drive strategy and have published a Sustainability Toolkit with a series of recommendations and tips.
The LTA have an Environmental Sustainability Plan with three priority environmental themes:
- Climate Action
- Resource Efficiency
- Natural Environment