Groundworks North East & Northumberland Cricket Board
Groundwork North East is an environmental regeneration charity working across the north east of England and Cumbria with a range of programmes that are delivered in order to provide benefits for people, for places and for prosperity.
In order to create a continued, and improving, network of sports facilities and delivery of programmes, it is strongly believed that the facilities have to become sustainable. This is not only in terms of staff, volunteers and membership, but also through environmental, economic and social demands. This ensures thatnot only the current running of sports facilities is improved, but enhances the future of facilities too.
Groundwork North East's Environmental Business Service team worked together with Northumberland Cricket Board to organise a package of environmental management support for a selection of cricket clubs in the Tyne Valley. The project comprises of environmental auditing, consultancy, renewable energy option appraisals training, and sustainable cricket launch events.
Each cricket club selected was subject to a half-day environmental audit of facilities and operations. Energy use, water, waste, recycling levels, procurement and legal compliance measures were observed, before being detailed in a comprehensive report.
The report formalised on-site discussions, whilst highlighting areas of best practice. Furthermore, the report identifies areas where cost savings may be introduced, and where the club could improve their environmental performance. Recommendations produced in the report identify ways to increase the resource efficiency of the organisation. The report also looked at energy generation possibilities on-site from renewable energy technologies.Utility data was also reviewed in order to calculate a carbon footprint for each club which can be used as a benchmark to note future improvements in environmental performance. Benefits included:
• Carbon reduction
• Diversion of waste from landfill
• Cost savings
• Increased legislative compliance and reduced non-compliance fines risk
• Improved business planning
• Renewable energy options
Furthermore, environmental training sessions and launch-events were held to provide additional information to representatives from the clubs. This involved engaging delegates as to the financial, legal and moral case for introducing and enhancing environmental management procedures. Benefits varied greatly, however it was felt crucial to provide in house resources and knowledge to each club, whilst further highlighting how simple changes could reduce running costs, whilst also educating about environmental incidents and the associated penalties and risks to the clubs.
If you would like further information about Groundwork North East, or how the Environmental Business team may be able to support you, please get in touch on 01207 524 840 or email us at ebs.northeast@groundwork.org.uk. We would love to hear from you and discuss options as to how yourorganisation could improve its green credentials and reduce the financial, legal and moral benefits that a robust environmental approach can achieve.
