Active Cumbria launches Environmental Sustainability Action Plan
October 8, 2026
Active Cumbria has launched its first Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP), setting out a clear commitment to support the sport and physical activity sector in responding to climate change while reducing its environmental impact.
The five-year plan recognises the growing impact that climate change is having on opportunities to be active, from increased flooding and extreme weather events to pressures on facilities, outdoor spaces and participation levels. The strategy outlines how Active Cumbria will work alongside partners across the county to build resilience, reduce carbon emissions, champion sustainable practices and protect the natural environments that support active lifestyles.
The launch event took place at Barrow on Bikes, a community organisation that demonstrates how environmental sustainability and physical activity can work hand in hand. Through encouraging more people to choose cycling for everyday journeys, repairing and reusing bicycles, and transforming a previously disused cycling track into a thriving community asset, Barrow on Bikes is helping to reduce carbon emissions, support the circular economy and create more opportunities for people to be active.
Rebecca Shuttleworth, Development Manager and Environmental and Sustainability Lead, said:
"Climate change is already affecting how, where and when people can be active. This year we had to postpone our annual Cumbria School Games event due to the extreme hot weather. As an organisation dedicated to improving lives through physical activity, we have a responsibility to help the sector respond to these challenges and reduce its environmental impact.
"Our Environmental Sustainability Action Plan sets out how we will work with partners across Cumbria to create a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive future for sport and physical activity. It also sets out our own organisation actions towards environmental sustainability.
"We're delighted to launch the plan at Barrow on Bikes, whose work perfectly demonstrates how environmental sustainability can also create healthier communities, increase active travel and bring new life to local spaces."
The ESAP aligns with Sport England's Every Move strategy, which highlights climate change as one of the biggest long-term threats to participation in sport and physical activity and calls on the sector to take action to become environmentally sustainable.
It also supports the Active Partnerships Network's national commitment to building a movement for environmental sustainability, which aims to help everyone enjoy the benefits of physical activity while addressing the challenges of climate change and environmental inequality.
By working collaboratively with local authorities, community organisations, sports clubs and environmental partners, Active Cumbria aims to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the health, wellbeing and social benefits that being active provides.
Read the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan 2026 - 2031 (pdf, 2003KB)