Participation levels are being affected by the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and flooding and like the rest of society the sport and physical activity sector is contributing to, and exacerbating, these effects.
Sport England are leading the urgent change that’s needed, by being an environmentally responsible organisation and working with all their partners, big and small, to show the way and to drive climate awareness and action across England. ‘Every Move’ is Sport England’s strategy and action plan to help the sector tackle climate change together.
The Active Partnerships network has unveiled its Environmental Sustainability Commitment which all 43 Active Partnerships have signed up to. The commitment will be embedded in the work that we do to help everyone lead active lives and enjoy the benefits of sport, physical activity and movement. We recognise that the people who face the greatest inequalities are most impacted by climate change and biodiversity loss, and as always, tackling these inequalities is at the top of our agenda. Collectively, the Active Partnerships network is committing to unlocking the sector, strengthening the network and enabling organisations to help combat climate change. Our commitment will focus on five key elements:
You can watch an introductory video and then read the full Environmental Sustainability Commitment.
Our aim is ‘To encourage Tees Valley wide collaboration on environmental sustainability’ and our focus for the next 12 months is to take internal action to improve our own environmental performance and to openly share our journey and learning with partners. Our Action Plan contains small scale sustainable actions that will create a culture of environmental awareness within the team and build strong foundations to use our influence across the Tees Valley.
Stories of change
The following case studies reveal how different projects have made a real difference in their local areas.
Newport Primary School – Environmentally friendly travel
The cost of hiring a minibus made it hard to justify the expense to attend our Ice & Climb event. So instead of cancelling the trip, the school got creative—and it turned out to be a win for everyone!
The Solution: Public Transport
The school is within walking distance of local bus stops, so they decided to take advantage of this. At just £30 each way for 18 children and 4 adults, it was a cost-effective, practical alternative.
New Skills for the Children
This wasn’t just a journey—it was an opportunity for learning:
For some children, this was their first time they had ever been on a bus. They loved it! It gave them a chance to see parts of the local area they had never explored before.
Perfect for Small Groups
Using public transport works especially well for smaller groups. Plus, it eliminates the stress of finding and hiring an expensive minibus—a barrier that may discourage some schools from organising trips.
Why It Matters
These real-life experiences are just as valuable as the event itself. They empower children with life skills they might never have had the chance to develop otherwise. The school will definitely consider public transport again. It’s affordable, accessible and packed with hidden benefits for the children. What do you think—would you try this for your school trips?