By Jo Holmes, Genee
The Green Goals Conference brought together leaders from across the sports and leisure sector to explore one of the biggest challenges facing our industry: how do we create a more environmentally sustainable future for sport and physical activity?
As climate change impacts participation through extreme weather, rising costs and increasing pressure on facilities and infrastructure, organisations are being challenged to move beyond short-term actions and develop long-term sustainability strategies.
The recent launch of Sport England’s environmental sustainability strategy, Every Move, alongside its £45 million commitment to help the sector reduce its carbon footprint, demonstrates that sustainability is now firmly embedded within the future of sport and physical activity in England.
The Growing Importance of Social Value
Across the public, voluntary and community sectors, funders and commissioners are increasingly seeking evidence of impact before allocating resources.
For organisations applying for grants, delivering community programmes or competing for contracts, the ability to demonstrate social value is becoming as important as financial viability.
Funders want to understand how projects contribute to wider outcomes, for example community resilience, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Organisations that cannot evidence these outcomes risk being overlooked in favour of those that can clearly demonstrate the value they create.
For sports clubs, charities, leisure trusts and community organisations, environmental management should not be viewed as a standalone exercise. Instead, it should form part of a wider story about the positive impact an organisation is having on people, communities and the environment.
Why Environmental Management Matters
Environmental sustainability is often associated with carbon reduction, waste management and energy efficiency. However, effective environmental management delivers much wider benefits, such as reduced costs, improved operational efficiency and strengthened governance, resilience and risk management. Environmental programmes can also engage staff, volunteers, participants and partners around a shared commitment to positive change.
Just as importantly, they generate measurable evidence that can support funding bids, procurement processes and stakeholder reporting. As social value becomes an increasingly important consideration, organisations that can demonstrate both environmental and community impact will be better placed to secure opportunities and thrive.
How Investors in the Environment Can Help
Investors in the Environment (iiE) provides a practical framework that helps organisations move from environmental ambition to measurable action.
Members receive access to:
Practical templates and guidance
Online training and resources
Support from environmental specialists
Independent verification of environmental performance
Structured reporting to demonstrate progress and impact
This support enables organisations of all sizes, including charities and voluntary organisations, to establish robust environmental management systems and build credible evidence of their sustainability achievements.
Organisations already participating in iiE are demonstrating what can be achieved. For example, RISE North East has strengthened engagement with suppliers around sustainability objectives and now confidently embeds environmental considerations into procurement and decision-making.
Looking Ahead
The conversations taking place at Green Goals reflect a wider shift across the sports and leisure sector. Organisations that can demonstrate environmental responsibility alongside wider community impact will be better positioned to secure funding, win contracts and build long-term resilience.
For those beginning their sustainability journey, the challenge can feel significant. However, as many iiE members have shown, meaningful progress starts with practical steps, clear measurement and the right support.
The future of sport depends on healthy communities, resilient organisations and a sustainable environment. By embedding environmental management into everyday operations and demonstrating the social value that follows, organisations can help ensure that future remains within reach.
To discuss how Genee can help your organisation manage your environmental impact, contact us on jo@genee.og.uk