UK Sport has launched its first Environmental Sustainability strategy which wants high-performance sport to have a net positive impact on the environment by 2040.
The strategy covers 2023-2025 and sets specific actions and targets in protecting the environment and sustainability.
Key points include:
- A requirement for national governing bodies to analyse their environmental impacts and develop an Environmental Sustainability Action Plan by the end of March 2025, aligned with the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework;
- Using the voice, influence and platform of high-performance sport to advocate for environmental sustainability and inspire positive change;
- Incorporate action on environmental sustainability into the bidding, hosting and delivery of major events;
- Responsible procurement of goods and services to reduce negative environmental impacts;
- Continued annual reporting of environmental impacts, increasing the range of sustainability measures reported on
UK Sport Chief Executive Sally Munday said “Climate change is impacting all of us. We have seen tracks and pitches are being flooded and extreme heat is impacting athletes, their training and competitions. A failure to take action now is not only a threat to the long-term relevance and appeal of high-performance sport but it also threatens the existence of high-performance sport itself in the future. Without urgent action, our Team of Tomorrow is under threat.
UK Sport is determined to reduce the impact of our own activities and operations, targeting net zero by 2030, as well as driving action and progress on sustainability across high-performance sport.
Our goal is for British Olympic and Paralympic sport together with major sporting events that we host in the UK to have a net positive impact on the environment by 2040.
Sport has the power to unite people across borders and inspire positive change. As well as taking meaningful action on sustainability ourselves, we must also use the voice, influence and platform of high-performance sport to advocate for action on environmental sustainability and inspire others to act and make a difference.”
The strategy can be accessed here.
