Wiltshire Tennis has committed to a net zero emissions target and have adopted the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.
Background
Global warming is placing our planet and future generations at risk. Meeting the scale of the challenge requires action by all sectors, including the sports sector to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Around the world, governments, cities and businesses are taking bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. By employing solutions to global warming each of us will be improving and contributing to public health, promoting social justice, preserving natural resources, creating reliable sources of energy and contributing to society and economy as a whole.
Tennis courts are being flooded, and extreme heat is impacting coaching, play and competitions. Disruption to travel and competition schedules is also an increasing problem. By 2050, the average player could experience 70% more extremely hot days compared to 1990 (Salter Baxter, 2021).
We all have a collective responsibility to act and accelerate our work to ensure tennis is sustainable for future generations.
Climate Action Framework
In line with the United Nations Climate Action Framework we have undertaken to adopt the following principles:
- Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility;
- Reduce overall climate impact;
- Educate for climate action;
- Promote sustainable and responsible consumption;
- Advocate for climate action through communication.
Next Steps
We have initiated a programme to measure and understand which activities contribute the most toward our emissions so that we are able to prioritise an action plan to either avoid, substitute or compensate unavoidable emissions. We will seek a practical approach to achieve the greatest positive impact in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
As well as focusing on our own operations, we will outline how we can support those we invest to act. We will also be urging all venues and partners to align themselves to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
Some possible options to off-set our emissions:
- including a small emissions levy for participants at County competitions;
- using technology to reduce the numbers of committee meetings held in person;
- wherever possible reducing the number of vehicles used to travel to County Team matches and County Cup;
- seeking a partner to fund any costs associated with off-setting unavoidable emissions.
Immediate Action
We recognise that we have unavoidable emissions and in a bid to compensate for these we have partnered with Tree-Nation. With their help we have started our net zero journey with two simple steps:
- gifting trees across the participants of the Junior County Cup;
- off-setting the emissions produced by hosting our website.
To view progress of the Wiltshire Tennis forest you can click on the icon in the footer of any of the pages of this website or as below. There is also the option to buy trees for our forest; prices are very reasonable and you will be helping us to achieve our target.
Swindon & District Tennis League
The Swindon & District League have also embarked on off-setting the emissions through participation in the leagues using Tree-Nation. They include an emissions levy on each team entering the Summer and Winter Leagues. The levy covers the averaged mileage of travel to and from matches as well as the estimated emissions from floodlights.