There are many questions how the country aims to 'level up' and improve socio-economic developments across our regions. One answer would be to make better use of existing facilities and infrastructure that are created when hosting major sporting events. 

 

Sport and activity are estimated to be worth over £35 billion a year to the UK’s economy. Major sporting events play a significant role in delivering continued growth across many sectors, driving innovation, job prosperity, inward investment, and cultural education. In addition, sport and activity can make significant contributions to the UK's carbon reduction agendas reflected by the UK's commitment to the United Nations Global Sport for Climate Action Framework and the 'Sport for Climate Action' principles.

 

The sector increasingly understands the opportunity, responsibility, and necessity of rising to the environmental challenge. Studies conducted in 2020, and again in the summer of 2021, with leading National Governing Bodies of Sport, and the wider sport and activity sector, showed that 93% of respondents felt that sustainability issues should be included in the Code for Sport Governance, with 90% feeling that the sector should speak with one voice on sustainability issues. 

 

The Investing in Events, Facilities, and Infrastructure Conference will ensure that this vision is built upon and delivered. 

 

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have aspirations to deliver a carbon-neutral event and with the Rugby League World Cup pledging support for the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, commitments to reduce carbon are an important factor in bidding and winning the opportunity to host a major sporting event. 

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Councils are now becoming responsible for the majority of public leisure facilities and recognise that approximately 40% of their costs come from energy consumption and are keen to explore ways to offset. 

 

Major sportning events can help build stronger communities, improving community links and social capital. Accessibility and inclusion should be considered throughout the planning and delivery of a participation programme, ensuring the benefits of sport reach the widest audience, especially those from under-represented groups. Green travel, transport, and networks are pivotal to harnessing the investments made at major sporting events, realising long-term sustainable infrastructures, and changing behaviours.

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We have all of the tools we need to make British sport a world leader in sustainability and there is a collective desire to develop the strategy of which the nation can be proud.

 

This must-attend conference will provide education, insight, and live examples of successful projects that deliver futureproof structures, infrastructure, and stadia against which sustainability performance, environmental responsibility, social progress, and economic activity can be managed and assessed.