2024-25 BF 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

More information on the Working Group can be found here.

Click here for the full 2024-25 Annual Report.

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