Hopes for high performance sport to achieve positive impact by 2040
UK Sport has today published its Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which includes a goal for high-performance sport to have a net positive impact on the environment by 2040.
This ambition builds on a goal of reducing the negative environmental impact of UK Sport’s own activities and operations, to achieve net zero by 2030.
The strategy covers the period 2023-25 and marks the first step in ensuring that the next generation of champions – the Team of Tomorrow – continue to deliver more extraordinary sporting moments.
Key priorities outlined in the strategy include: a requirement for national governing bodies to analyse their environmental impacts; using the voice and influence of high-performance sport to inspire positive change; incorporating action on environmental sustainability into hosting and delivering events; responsible procurement of goods and services; continued annual reporting of environmental impacts.
UK Sport will be dedicating the rest of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic cycle until March 2025 to laying the foundations required to achieve this long-term goal by identifying the areas across high-performance sport where the biggest impact can be made.
The Environmental Sustainability Strategy specifically highlights five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for action for high-performance sport, namely: Responsible Consumption and Production; Climate Action; Life on Land; Life below Water; and Partnerships for the Goals.
A key element of the strategy is UK Sport supporting partners, national governing bodies and the high-performance sport community to reduce their emissions and have a net positive environmental impact.
Tailored UK Sport support will be provided to help sports calculate their carbon footprint and environmental impact, develop environmental sustainability plans and training, learning and development opportunities.
