Written by Tahir Akram Yorkshire Sport Foundation
Climate change is undeniably one of the most pressing challenges facing our world today. Its effects are felt across all sectors, and our sector is no exception. We have a unique opportunity and responsibility to take a leadership role in combating climate change. By integrating climate change into our organisational and team agenda, we can not only reduce our environmental impact but also inspire others to follow suit. In this blog post, I will share some ideas that can help you on this journey (they certainly helped me!)
1. Raise Awareness and Commitment
The first step in addressing climate change is to create awareness and gain commitment within your organisation. Educate your staff about the impact of climate change on the sports industry and the planet. Share relevant information, statistics, and case studies to underline the urgency of the issue. Encourage open discussions by creating a safe space, allow people to be comfortable in asking ‘obvious’ questions. We’re all at a different stage on our journey and no one has cracked it just yet!
2. Set Measurable Goals and Targets
Establishing clear, measurable goals and targets is crucial to ensure progress and hold your organisation accountable. Set targets to reduce your organisation's carbon footprint. This could include decreasing energy consumption, adopting renewable energy sources, minimising waste, and promoting sustainable transport. Although, if like us you share a building this isn’t always possible!
3. Integrate Sustainability into Operations
Conduct an environmental audit to identify areas where you can make improvements. Implement energy-efficient practices, such as using LED lighting in facilities and investing in energy-efficient appliances. Encourage recycling and composting at events and promote the use of reusable water bottles and other eco-friendly products.
4. Partner with Green Initiatives
Forge partnerships with environmental organisations, local governments, and other like-minded businesses to enhance your impact. Collaborating with these groups can provide additional resources, expertise, and opportunities to participate in community-based environmental projects. This will not only amplify your efforts but also strengthen your position as a leader in climate action within the sector. Initiatives such as kick plastic out of sport are a great way to get involved.
5. Advocate
As an Active Partnership, you have the power to influence the behaviour of stakeholders positively. Incorporate sustainability principles into your training programs and events. Encourage partners to embrace eco-friendly practices in their daily lives and promote sustainable practices during events. Emphasise the importance of protecting the environment in public communications, and consider hosting events that focus on environmental awareness and conservation.
6. Measure and Communicate Progress
Regularly assess and measure your organization's progress toward its climate change goals. Track improvements in energy usage, waste reduction, and other sustainability metrics. Share your achievements and challenges transparently with your team and the public through newsletters, social media, and other communication channels. Transparent reporting will demonstrate your commitment to climate action and inspire others to follow suit.
This can be such an overwhelming topic and recent weather in Europe brings it to the forefront again. We all have a part to play, regardless of how small it might feel at times. These are some examples of what you can do to help your organisation be a little more environmentally friendly. I’d imagine a simple Google search would bring up similar solutions, it’s all out there let’s all try to do our little bit.
Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash