Active Lancashire, the county’s strategic lead for sport and physical activity, has officially launched its brand-new Environmental and Sustainability Toolkit – a practical, user-friendly resource designed to support businesses and community groups in building a greener, more sustainable Lancashire.
The toolkit offers practical guidance, case studies, and resources that aim to empower organisations of all sizes to reduce their environmental impact. It features tools like carbon footprint calculators, sustainability checklists, and strategies for sustainable event planning, digital efficiency, green transport, and eco-conscious purchasing.
Active Lancashire has already embedded a range of environmental practices into its own operations and community projects. Its award-winning Active Cycles scheme refurbishes donated bikes for resale at affordable prices, cutting waste and emissions while improving cycling access for low-income households, whilst its neighbouring charity shop Active Seconds promotes reuse by selling second-hand household and sports equipment. Other initiatives include community allotment sessions through Rossendale Works, recycling partnerships with local schools, and internal practices such as sustainable Secret Santas and using carbon calculator tools to guide emissions reduction.
Highlights from the toolkit include:
- Practical Steps to Cut Emissions: Including ‘10 Ways to Cut a Tonne from Your Carbon Footprint’.
- Tools for Action: Carbon calculators, environmental assessment templates, and links to funding opportunities.
- Success Stories: Including flagship projects like Active Cycles and Active Seconds.
- Sustainable Club Management: Covering governance, facilities, travel, and engagement strategies tailored to local sports clubs and community groups.
Active Lancashire’s recent carbon audit shows that over half of its emissions come from employee commuting. This insight is being used to shape the organisation’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) plans moving forward, with a continued focus on encouraging active and sustainable travel solutions—another key element of the toolkit.
The toolkit is available now and free to access for all community organisations and businesses across Lancashire via this link.
