UK Active has launched a programme designed to support the physical activity sector as it targets Net Zero.

The initiative - called Sustainable Futures - will provide educational resources and tools to support operators in making informed decisions to reduce both their carbon footprint and their energy costs.

A Sustainable Futures Steering Group has been established to deliver the programme, made up of representatives from across the sector, as well as experts from organisations such as Ofgem and Net Zero Hubs.

UK Active is inviting operators to share their thoughts on the idea of creating an energy basket that would allow operators to group together to collectively buy energy to secure better prices. A survey has been launched asking for feedback.

UK Active’s commercial partner, QuikSwitch, says a collaborative approach to buying energy could provide significant cost savings. Its work with one nationwide operator led to 6 per cent cost savings and a carbon reduction of 189 metric tonnes per annum.

“Our ambition is to drive environmental standards for the sector in the same way we're driving standards for health and safety, digital transformation and inclusion and diversity,” says CEO of UK Active, Huw Edwards. “Our Sustainable Futures programme will bring together the organisations, experts and resources to support our sector’s facilities, manufacturers and supply chains to put decarbonisation at the heart of their strategies for growth.”

UK Active has been working with Green Sports Hub Europe to identify barriers to the adoption of sustainable practice and share knowledge and research findings with global partners

It has also been involved with setting up the SECC Resource Hub.

Launched last month, this is a new educational resource which aims to create a one-stop shop for information and harness the sector’s collective resources to improve sustainability.

Energy usage and sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing the sector and many public sector organisations have committed to reaching Net Zero by 2030, which is 20 years ahead of the target set by The Climate Change Act.