» Resources » The top five tips for developing a sports sustainability strategy Blog The top five tips for developing a sports sustainability strategy In my previous article I showcased the top five sustainability impact areas in sport, covering; carbon, labour rights, waste, biodiversity, and social value. Now that we have identified those main impact areas, the logical next steps are to begin developing those into an effective and purposeful sports sustainability strategy. 1. Prioritise As detailed in the last blog of this series, there are many impacts within the sports sector which can be overwhelming. Understand what impacts are most important to your organisation and set priorities, think about: Why are you wanting to be more sustainable? What are your investors and customers expecting? What are your competitors focusing on? Where can you have the biggest impact? 2. Engage the community The community is a very important stakeholder within the sport industry, therefore they should be involved when building your sustainability strategy. The community can not only help to guide the strategies’ vision but also it’s delivery. 3. Set SMART targets Once you’ve agreed on your priorities, set SMART targets to drive and monitor progress. Here’s an example of a SMART target: Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sports events by 25% within the next five years. Specific: The target focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, specifically related to sports events. Measurable: The target is quantifiable, aiming for a 25% reduction in emissions. The baseline emissions data should be established, and progress can be tracked over time. Achievable: The target is ambitious yet attainable within a five-year timeframe based on actions identified to reduce emissions. Relevant: The target aligns with the sustainability goals and commitments of the organisation. Time-bound: The target specifies a timeframe of five years, providing a clear deadline for achieving the desired reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 4. Build a roadmap Now that you have clear targets, build a roadmap to achieve them. Your roadmap should include: KPIs Detailed initiatives Resource allocation Roles & responsibilities Monitoring and evaluation Communication engagement Review and continuous improvement 5. Communicate and implement A strategy is only useful if it is communicated and implemented. When doing this, focus both internally and externally: Internal: Who needs to know? Do they need training? How can they be made accountable of the role they need to play? External: Who needs to know? How can you support them? How can they support you? Connect with our strategy team in a free discovery call to build a clear, actionable roadmap for your sustainability goals. Action Sustainability Staff Oct 11, 2023 Share: Related Articles July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder How the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Complements Leading Building Sustainability Standards Sarah Chatfield July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder How the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Complements Leading Building Sustainability Standards Reducing carbon emissions in the built environment is a priority for both policymakers and industry. As sustainability standards like BREEAM, LEED, and Level(s) help improve the environmental performance of buildings, the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder plays a unique and complementary role: focusing not just on buildings, but on the organisations and supply chains behind them. Understanding […] Keagan Allin July 2025 Blog How Heatwaves Affect Your Business – and What to Do About It Ross Primmer July 2025 Blog How Heatwaves Affect Your Business – and What to Do About It What is a Heatwave? A popular flavour of crisps….? a good day to go to the beach….? a hosepipe ban…? Heatwave is a word that we often hear but have you ever stopped to think about what the term means, and why we seem to be using it more often? In the UK, the Met […] Keagan Allin July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing EcoVadis with the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Sarah Chatfield July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing EcoVadis with the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder The EcoVadis rating system and the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder (the Ladder) are two powerful tools that support organisations in improving sustainability performance. While they share some common goals, they take different approaches. Understanding how they complement each other can help companies strengthen both internal strategy and supply chain engagement. Understanding the tools EcoVadis provides sustainability […] Keagan Allin