Freedom Leisure sets out 'net zero' plan for leisure centres including here in Fenland

A leisure firm which runs Fenland's sports and swimming facilities has announced its target of being net zero across its operation by 2020.

Freedom Leisure, which runs the four leisure centres: George Campbell and March, Hudson at Wisbech, Manor at Whittlesey and Chatteris sports centre, has announced the launch of its Environmental andSustainability Commitment.

These commitments demonstrate the ongoing focus the award-winning leisure trust has on its environmental performance and how it continues to build on its past successes.

Freedom Leisure will achieve net zero at its first leisure centre and its support hub in Sussex by March 2023, with its first swimming centre being net zero by 2024. Freedom Leisure is the first leisure operator in the sector to announce such ambitious targets.

Leisure centres can contribute as much as 40 per cent of a council’s carbon footprint and Freedom Leisure is actively playing its part in helping its local authority partners to realise their net zero targets.

Freedom Leisure is committed to working with its local authority partners, customers and, crucially, its staff teams to achieve these ambitious targets. A robust sustainability culture is already embedded into the organisation, with the senior leadership team at the not-for-profit trust prioritising environmental management and sustainability as a core business objective in its medium-term plan.

Ambitious targets have been set to reduce carbon in all its leisure centres and supply chain, reduce waste, increase recycling while adopting renewable energy sources.

Ivan Horsfall Turner, Freedom Leisure’s CEO said at the launch; “Through these commitments we aim to play our part in reducing emissions and contributing to the global target.

"We acknowledge that we cannot do this in isolation and are committed to supporting and working alongside our partners in the public sector, as well as our suppliers and customers to ensure that through a collective

journey we make this happen.”

To strengthen its focus Freedom Leisure recently announced the appointment of Angela Brown as sustainability and environmental manager who will play a key role in driving the sustainability and environmental efforts in over 100 leisure facilities across England and Wales.

Angela added; “To reach our net zero target, we have developed our commitments to accelerate our pace and scale so that we meet, if not surpass, our ambitious environmental targets. Our core business of supporting healthy

lifestyles goes beyond just people’s physical activity goals but extends to our communities and the environment. It is therefore becoming crucial for us to do everything we can to play our part in tackling the global climate crisis.”

Freedom Leisure has already been recognised for its achievements to date winning the National Energy Managers Partnership Award in 2021 and has been shortlisted in the National Energy Efficiency Awards.

For more information on the Environmental and Sustainability Commitments visit our website https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/environment.