2024-25 - WORKING GROUP REPORTS
Reports from Environmental Sustainability Working Group. This article forms part of a series of reports which accompanies the 2024-25 BF Annual Report.
Environmental and Sustainability Working Group
During 2024-25, the group continued its work to produce and monitor a Strategy and Action Plan to comply with British Fencing’s Environmental/ Sustainability Policy and UK Sport requirements.
Meetings are online every 1-2 months with email communication in between.
Progress:
- Jul 23 – Two members of the group undertook the Carbon Literacy training course with accreditation.
- Sep 23 – Ran a BF learning week session for members – Fighting for a Sustainable Future.
- Sep 23 – Created sustainability survey for members and Have Your Say posters for Cadet/Junior Nationals.
- Nov 23 – ongoing UK Sport’s Accelerator programme provided funded access to consultants from Sporting Giants and Useful Projects to produce a carbon footprint for BF’s core activities. This was largely based on expenditure and will provide a baseline for the next stage – a strategy with targets for carbon reduction and a timeline towards potential net zero in 2040. The expertise from these consultants, UK Sport support and communication with other NGBs has been invaluable.
- Jan 24 – Launched The Green Piste– environmental section on BF website
- July 2024 – Baseline Carbon Footprint produced. The headline results of this exercise and the carbon footprint calculations are here
- Jan 2025 – Promoted BASIS training to all British Fencing staff
- Produced a venue guide checklist for large events. Available here
- Apr 24 – Chair attended Aquatics GB presentation of their first environmental sustainability strategy.
- June 24 – Production of draft carbon offsetting advice. Available here and on The Green Piste web page
- Sept 25 – Feedback on our draft Environmental Sustainibiltiy plan from the consultants working with UKSport
- Feb 25 – Engagement with buddle (Sport England’s club support programme) on communication with clubs
- March 25 – Set-up of the Environmental Sustainability stand and banners for display and activities at events. The first will be a kit swap-shop at the BYC in May 2025
- March 25 – End of UKSport support for our environmental sustainability policy and action plan. Draft shared with the board for comments and feedback.
Clare Halsted, Chair