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24 Apr 2023 | 8:08

Share your views on what is needed to help the sport for development movement accelerate action on environmental sustainability

Coalition supporter Sport England and its partners are carrying out a sector-wide consultation to co-develop a vision for our future.  

They really want to hear from you about your views on how the sport for development movement, and wider sport and physical activity sector, could accelerate positive climate action. About what you’re already doing, the greatest opportunities and priorities for change, and the challenges and support needed to overcome these.

Environmental sustainability: Why this matters to us

Extreme weather, air quality and wider climate change are increasingly likely to impact participation levels, and when and where activity takes place. The impact of climate change upon community-based sport will affect people’s capability and opportunities to be active and could exacerbate inequalities in participation.

Equally, the sport and physical activity sector has a significant environmental impact that reinforces these effects. From energy use by sports facilities; travel by participants and workforce; the production and consumption of sports equipment, goods and services; to the creation of waste - we have considerable scope, opportunity and obligation to create positive change.

I’d love to share my views - let’s get started. 

We’d love to hear from you whether you’re just starting to think about this or already have initiatives in place. To hear, what support you need to get started and accelerate action. For example, to reduce your energy use, encourage responsible travel choices, reduce waste, improve air quality and support biodiversity. 

You can take part here: Environmental Sustainability Survey 2023 

The survey is open to everyone, but primarily intended for grassroots sports and physical activity clubs / groups / organisations / facilities.  

Please do also feel free to share this survey with your networks. To help us collectively develop the plan for how we can support sports and communities to protect and adapt the environments in which sport and physical activity takes place and work together towards our collective net zero ambitions. 

Focus group dates  

The focus groups are primarily intended for national governing bodies and umbrella organisations (also referred to as system partners / associations / alliances / member organisations). They are also applicable to local authorities, and the owners and operators of the places and spaces where physical activity happens, both indoors and outdoors. Sports sector sustainability experts are also welcome.

These online group conversations will share enable participants to share views, hear from others and help us collectively shape our future.

Please direct any questions to Kate Boylan at [email protected]

Related news: Active Humber CEO David Gent on #OpenGoal and increasing environmental sustainability.