British Triathlon introduces sustainability Commission

British Triathlon has announced the formation and first meeting of its new Sustainability Commission where an agenda for 2022 has been laid out.

Formed after an application process that sought experts in the field of sustainability, the Commission is now made up of eleven individuals who are volunteering their expertise. Veterans of environmental causes and the triathlon world will report to two British Triathlon staff, with Steve Varley as Chair of the panel.

Varley commented: “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.”

The Commissions early goals revolve around creating a policy framework, identifying which aspects of sustainability are most relevant to the sport and to leverage the expertise to bring about framework changes throughout the British Triathlon network. Best practice standards may well be imported and when all is laid out the organisation will follow with “robust” reporting on progress.

Ben Cummings, British Triathlon Director of Partnerships and External Affairs added: “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.”

Back in June Multisport Research released its annual study of sporting and event appetite within the triathlon world. You can read a summary here.