Introducing British Triathlon’s Sustainability Commission

Having been appointed earlier in the year, the British Triathlon Sustainability Commission met last week for the first time to begin reviewing sustainability in triathlon ahead of creating their agenda in 2022.

The Sustainability Commission has come from British Triathlon’s desire to see the sport and physical activity sector built upon sustainable foundations across all levels of participation and interactions with the sport.

The main purpose of the commission is to facilitate the creation of British Triathlon’s sustainability agenda to develop a meaningful and aspirational roadmap to safeguard the future sustainability of the sport and place British Triathlon at the heart of this movement.

On Earth Day this year, British Triathlon launched applications for the commission welcoming sustainability experts from within and outside of the world of triathlon and sport to apply.

A wealth of individuals applied to be part of the commission which has been established by British Triathlon to look at how the sport can work to become more sustainable and support stakeholders of the sport in doing so.

The commission is made up of eleven individuals. Volunteering their expertise from a range of environmental sustainability and triathlon backgrounds, they will be supported by two British Triathlon members of staff. You can find out more about the commission members below, with Steve Varley as chair.

Varley, who is also the EY Global Vice Chair – Sustainability and leads EY’s climate change and sustainability agenda globally, commented about the commission:

“Triathlon benefits from the environment in a number of ways. Whether it’s open water swimming, cycling and running through the open countryside, or making the most of the natural landscape because triathlon is a nature-based sport.

“We all have a responsibility to be more sustainable in our personal and professional lives, and the sporting world is no different. The work of the commission will be focussed on safeguarding the future of the sport and environment by assessing and addressing how we can all play our part in making the triathlon sector a sustainable one.

“As a commission we have a great wealth of experience from the corporate, academic and sporting world, with a passion and expertise in sustainability and drive to see it become central to decision making and decision makers. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone involved and with British Triathlon as the national governing body.

“To have an NGB that is committed to seeing positive change in the realm of sustainability is so refreshing and I can’t wait to get stuck in and help to support in delivering a sustainable agenda for triathlon.”

Ben Cummings, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs and who supports the commission from British Triathlon, said:

“As the governing body for triathlon in Britain, we recognise the responsibility we have in supporting all areas of the sport to do more when it comes to sustainability, the environment and climate change. I’m therefore delighted that we’ve been able to recruit individuals with great expertise and experience to guide us on this journey.

“I’m excited to work closely with the commission and consulting across the sport to create a sustainability framework for the sport, one which places the environment around swim, bike and run at the heart of great experiences for future generations.

“This is not something we can do alone and we look forward to engaging with stakeholders and partners to help develop an action plan for our world of  swim, bike and run.”

The objectives that the commission has committed to working towards are:

• To facilitate the formulation of British Triathlon’s sustainability policy/agenda
• To identify which aspects of sustainability are most relevant to the sport and confirm the definition of sustainability which will underpin the strategy
• To provide expertise and technical guidance to support a science-based approach
• To share best practice and standards from across the industry
• To identify the areas to control, manage and influence across the sport
• To advise on the development of transparent, robust monitoring and reporting

British Triathlon Sustainability Commission:

• Steve Varley (Chair): Steve is the EY Global Vice Chair – Sustainability, leading EY’s climate change and sustainability agenda globally
• Jenny Ekelund (Vice-Chair): Jenny is a sustainability practitioner with 18 years’ experience in collaborative working across the private, non-profit and education sectors
• Andy Jordan: Andy is Professor of Environmental Policy in the Tyndall Centre for climate change research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
• Andy Tourell: Andy is a certified sustainability consultant (IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management) and has over 12 years of global event management
• Dan Reading: Dan is currently Head of Sustainability at Right Formula having recently moved from the international federation, World Sailing, where he was also Head of Sustainability
• Helen MacVicker: Helen is an ecologist with a PhD in ecotoxicology and 20 years working experience with Defra (Department for Environment) and public body Natural England
• Laura Siddall: Laura is a professional triathlete with a passion for sustainability and has led partnerships between the sport and Soles4Souls to keep trainers and kit out of landfill by giving them a second life, and also helping to fight poverty
• Louisa Holbrook: Louisa is Head of Sustainability at Brompton Bicycle, the UK’s largest bicycle manufacturer
• Nigel Kendrick: Nigel is the co-founder and co-owner of Always Aim High Events who have striven to be at the forefront of sustainable and positive environmental improvement
• Riikka Rakic: Riikka currently serves as the Head of Sustainability at the International Biathlon Union where she is also managing the implementation of the IBU’s strategic plan
• Saul Moorhouse: Saul has a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry. He has worked for bp for eight years, most recently in a role focussed at business transformation across digital, agility, and sustainability
• Supporting the commission from British Triathlon are Ben Cummings (Director of Partnerships, Commercial and External Affairs) and Will Evans (Head of Clubs and Regions)

Sustainable Development Goals

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