Community sports clubs and physical activity groups looking to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable are being encouraged to apply to Sport England’s Movement Fund.
Chair Chris Boardman has announced up to £16 million from our Movement Fund will be reserved to help the sector respond to the impact of climate change. The financial commitment comes as research illustrates this “devastating impact” that climate change is having on our ability to play sport and be active. More than half of players have had activity cancelled in the past year as a result of extreme weather, while women and those on lower incomes are worst impacted and doing less activity as a consequence.
Sport and physical activity organisations can bid for between £300 and £15,000 from the Movement Fund to promote environmental sustainability.
To be successful, projects must now meet of one of six criteria:
- Carbon emissions: travel and facilities
- Circular economy: supply chains, products and waste
- Blue-green environment quality and use
- Biodiversity
- Adapting to climate change and extreme weather events
- Just transition: inequalities, inclusion and participation.
A guide provides examples of projects that might be successful, including reducing energy use through solar panels and electric batteries; reducing waste and single-use plastics; and measures to improve resilience and risk of flooding of sports pitches. Download the guidance
The Sport England website has lots of other insight and support on environmental sustainability, including more case studies of organisations large and small who are leading the way.
Buddle, the new home of Sport England’s Club Matters, provide free learning and support resources to inspire and strengthen clubs and community organisations offering sport and physical activity. It has a wealth of information and resources to help grassroots clubs, groups and community organisations become greener.
In addition, a partnership with The British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) will provide enhanced training, tools and support to partners who need it. BASIS are a trusted industry leader who already deliver support to sports organisations, leading the charge on environmental sustainability. The investment into BASIS would offer all partners, irrespective of size, resources and maturity to build their capability and quickly start taking positive action to make their sport more sustainable.