This year we’ve made the bold but important step to put sustainability criteria in the FEVO Sport Industry Awards. This isn’t about trying to catch anyone out. Instead, it’s about encouraging action on sustainability in our sector and recognising those that do. The era of simply doing what’s right is behind us – organisations who take authentic and credible action on sustainability are better positioned than those that don’t.
We also know that many of you who are planning on entering the awards, might be having a few heart palpations right now. You may not know where to start, or what some of the ‘sustainability’ terminology means, or perhaps you’re not sure if your company has done any of the stuff we’re asking for.
First of all, don’t panic. Because Rosanna Post from social impact and sustainability consultancy thinkBeyond has pulled together some advice to help get you get back to a healthy resting heartbeat and feel more confident about responding to the criteria.
Most of all, we know organisations will be at different stages of acting on sustainability. Whether you have a bells and whistles sustainability programme, or you are just starting out on your journey towards sustainability, we want to hear from you.
Sustainability… what does that really mean?
Sustainability can mean so many things and is used to describe a wide range of different activities. So, to make things straightforward as possible, in the context of the awards..
We define sustainability as how companies contribute to a better environment and society now and in the future. And how you deliver positive impact to people, communities and places.
YOUR SUBMISSION
Sustainability doesn’t just mean the environment, and you don’t need to have done it all
Sustainability can cover environment, social, EDI and governance, to name a few. But you don’t but need to show all aspects. For example, this year your business may have focussed on contributing to a more equitable, diverse and inclusive society, but next year you’re planning to focus on limiting your carbon impact – that’s ok. Let us know what you’ve focused on and where you’re heading.
Sustainability policy or plan… what’s the difference?
Sustainability policy
A summary of an organisation’s overall sustainability commitments, intentions, values, focus areas and company procedures to deliver positive environmental and/or social impacts. This is likely to be a topline, one-page document.
Sustainability plan/strategy
A more detailed breakdown of how your organisation has or will achieve its sustainability commitments. This should include key objectives, specific targets, measures and actions against key environmental and/or social and EDI topics. Sometimes referred to as a strategy, roadmap or action plan.
If you don’t have either – don’t worry! There’s time before the December submission date to develop a credible sustainability policy and build the foundations of a plan to set out your intention, and follow up with action. If this is something you need support on then please feel free to reach out.
Don’t beat around the bush!
You only have 100 words to describe your policy or plan. Jump straight into the headlines and make them as relevant to your category. Like all the other applications, the more results we can see the better, but ambition will still be recognised. Greenwashing won’t be!
Breaking down some of the things you may want to include
For organisational awards:
The environment
• Any work around measuring what your carbon impact is.
• Things you’ve done to reduce your carbon impact and offset your carbon emissions.
• Targets you have set to becoming net-zero (or halving your carbon emissions)
• For more advanced organisations, you might have a climate transition plan, sometimes known as your climate action plan – include this. It should cover how you as a business will transition towards a lower carbon economy.
• If you share any sustainability commitments or reporting publicly, on your websites/LinkedIn, or other reporting platforms then please include these links.
Society
• Any initiative that your company contributes to which solves inequalities and injustices.
• They might enter into partnerships or programmes where they contribute their time, money, skillset and people to combatting social issues.
• Think about any work your company does in or with communities, community groups, or charities.
A word for the campaigns/activations
This is all about showing how you have made your sustainability objectives a reality in the way you’ve run a campaign/activation.
Examples of this could be any ways you created work opportunities for under-represented groups in the planning and execution of your campaign, measures you implemented that protected the mental wellbeing of your people or any energy/recycling/waste processes you had on site.
No space for greenwashing
You’ll be looked on less favourably if your sustainability criteria response is merely a marketing exercise. We will respect honesty and authenticity, even for those starting on their sustainability journey, rather than reward those who are all talk but no action. It’s something we will be keeping an eye out for!
Warts and all
We recognise this can seem like a lot. So, to put your minds at ease, as well as the successes up in lights we also want to hear about the key challenges you may have had in sustainability and how you plan to overcome them in the future.
You have more than you think, you just need to get to the right person
You will likely, unknowingly, have several relevant initiatives currently in place that reflect positive social and/or environmental action. It’s just about getting to the person/people. That should be your first step, to find out who has responsibility and show them this guide!
Ask questions
We know this can seem like a lot and you may have questions, so please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the team with any queries. We want you to write the best entry possible and will be more than happy to help.
FAQs
Will we be penalised for not having these sustainability practices in place?
This is the first year that sustainability criteria have been included in the entry form so there will be a degree of understanding from the judges. That said, it would be difficult to imagine the winner of Sport Organisation of the Year not having a sustainability or social impact plan in place.
Similarly, if there were two pieces of work of equal merit and one had considered its sustainability goals and the other had not, the choice would be clear.
We do not have any of what you’re asking – what should we do?
Make sure to find and check with the relevant person in your organisation and confirm if the organisation is in the process of developing these and whether you can disclose what you are in the process of doing (the ambition).
We don’t have links to share to these initiative but we do have them/they are not public.
Please describe them or share copies (confidentially).
We have an ESG strategy but not a ‘sustainability plan’ – is this allowed?
An ESG strategy is focussed on sustainability so will cover these elements. Please share the details of your ESG strategy.
What happens if we are in the process of doing this,but it’s not ready/ not implemented?
That’s ok. Share with us where you are and what the intention is. The fact you’ve started the journey is useful for us to know.
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