Redefining the field of sports and leisure

The relationship between sports and leisure and climate change, where both influence and are impacted by this crisis, puts the industry in a special position to promote environmental awareness, social progress and economic growth in a truly positive way.

Safeguarding our planet is one of the most pressing issues of our time. As climate change accelerates, the sports and leisure industry grapples with an array of challenges: from extreme heat affecting athlete safety and drought-induced water scarcity complicating the maintenance of facilities to rising sea levels threatening coastal venues and increasingly frequent disruptions due to extreme weather events, such as floods and storms. In addition, reduced snowfall impacts winter sports, shifts in seasons affect schedules and wildfires lead to poor air quality, and there is the broader issue of the industry’s own significant carbon footprint, emphasising the urgent need for sustainability initiatives to combat the loss of biodiversity and to promote environmental consciousness and social progress.

Are you ready to make the sustainable play?

Large-scale tournaments, with their massive infrastructure, transportation requirements and energy consumption, can result in significant carbon footprints. Balancing the need for accessible, spectator-friendly events while minimising the environmental footprint is a complex task. Through collective action, innovation and a shared commitment, the sports industry can continue to lead the way in inspiring individuals and communities to embrace sustainable practices both on and off the field and creating a world in which sports and sustainability go hand in hand, leaving a positive legacy for future generations.

Creating new experiences, sustainably

Decades of experience and a passion for sustainable solutions have made RSK a trusted partner in creating extraordinary leisure experiences while prioritising environmental responsibility. From theme parks and entertainment venues to festivals, recreational complexes and sports arenas, RSK offers a wide range of services to help achieve sustainability goals and deliver unforgettable moments.

Redefining the field of sports and leisure

As a leading environmental and engineering consultancy, RSK is committed to creating a more sustainable and responsible future for the global sports and leisure sector. With a portfolio of cutting-edge solutions and extensive expertise, we integrate sustainable practices with your passion for recreational pursuits, ensuring that every exhilarating experience and moment of tranquillity has a positive impact on the environment.

From the initial planning stages to final implementation, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to the sports and leisure sector.

Learn how RSK is bringing sustainability to the sports and leisure sector

Recent case studies

Wildfox Resorts, Copper Consultancy

Copper Consultancy is the strategic partner to Wildfox Resorts, the £350 million adventure and wellbeing resort brand. Copper developed the Wildfox Resorts brand to position the project through planning and investment. This included conducting market research and audience analysis and developing narrative, assets and guidelines. Copper also led on communications and stakeholder engagement, which included on-the-ground liaison with residents and businesses, two local authorities and the Welsh Government.

The Wave, Bristol, Copper Consultancy

Copper Consultancy led stakeholder engagement to gain planning consent for the UK’s first inland surfing lake, including a range of leisure and retail facilities, such as a café, changing facilities, accommodation, an education centre and shops. The team deployed a tailored approach to consultation, with creative material to reflect the project’s brand, including a summer consultation held outdoors with information displayed on surfboards. Staff received training to ensure consistent delivery of information, and a British sports champion attended the event. In-depth council engagement was also delivered, focusing on biodiversity net gain and the economic benefits of the project.

Game Zero, Nature Positive

Nature Positive was at the heart of delivering the world’s first net-zero-carbon major football match, Game Zero, hosted on Sky Sports. The team measured the carbon emissions created by the Premier League match held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. RSK created a baseline that enabled Sky and Tottenham to assess easy wins and tougher challenges to achieve net zero. The model created is now a universal formula that can be used again and again to consistently measure and reduce carbon emissions at major events.

Stoke City, SCP Transport

The Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent has been the home of Stoke City FC since 1997. SCP Transport was appointed to support proposals for the construction of an additional 2000 seats by assessing the transport implications of hosting more supporters without increasing car parking and limiting impact on local residential streets. A detailed travel plan was prepared for all major events, including a matchday traffic and pedestrian management review, off-site parking assessments, park and ride/park and stride site identification, matchday bus route analysis and supporter travel analysis.

RHS Garden Bridgewater, RoC Consulting

The RHS Garden Bridgewater is a new 156-acre garden in the heart of North West England. The scheme restored an 11-acre walled garden and created a new visitor centre and an ornamental stream and lake within the existing parkland. Multiple teams across RoC Consulting were involved. Their responsibilities included the design of on-site highways, car parking, roof structural engineering, site drainage, ground investigations and the remediation strategy. The project won several awards, including the Institution of Structural Engineers North West Award for Medium and Most Sustainable Project in 2021.

JD Gyms Wigan, RoC Consulting

RoC Consulting worked on the design of JD Gyms Wigan, turning an abandoned nightclub into a 26,000 ft² state-of-the-art gym facility. The special projects team provided an innovative design to deliver one uninterrupted space to deliver the optimum layout for the gym. RoC Consulting modelled the long span floor structures within a tight structural zone while managing dynamic response factors.

UK horse racing industry, ADAS Climate and Sustainability

ADAS Climate and Sustainability supported the UK horse racing industry, particularly the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, to perform a pilot study of the environmental impact and carbon calculations of stud farms. Findings showed that there are huge opportunities for biodiversity, carbon storage and sequestration on stud farms, and this pilot study will shape a digital guidance booklet for breeders. The work was awarded an innovation prize at the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) annual awards.

Partners

We believe that the sports and leisure industry has a significant role to play in shaping communities and influencing behaviours, which is why we’re dedicated to helping organisations in this sector reduce their environmental impact while enhancing their performance and fostering a culture of sustainability.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC FC

We are the official sustainability partner of Charlton Athletic FC, helping the club become more environmentally sustainable across its operational practices and processes.

PLEDGEBALL

We are the official lead partner of Pledgeball, a research-driven charity that engages sports fans on environmental sustainability.

GLASGOW RUGBY

We support Glasgow Rugby with achieving its sustainability goals as principal partners and shirt sponsors.

Sports and leisure

Are you ready to make the sustainable play?

Redefining the field of sports and leisure