British Association for Sustainable Sport: 12 Principles for Sustainability in Sport

A structure for determining the sustainability of sport, with 12 principles being grouped into environmental, economic and social categories.

(1) Environmental responsibility:
• Energy and emissions.
• Waste management.
• Water and effluents.
• Materials and chemicals.
• Transport and travel.
• Food and drink.
• Biodiversity and habitats.
(2) Social progress:
• Accessibility and equality
• Healthy options.
• Engagement and education.
(3) Economic activity:
• Procurement and employment.
• Economy and community.

Some of the descriptors for the principles can be extended to better reflect sustainable management of grounds, for example, ‘Materials and chemicals’ could be extended to emphasise a greater requirement to reduce and eliminate artificial substances being loaded into the environment (primarily from pesticides and fertilisers), although the use of the word ‘non-toxic’ within this principle’s descriptor might infer actually this. However, the focus might be argued to on human impact rather than the wider wildlife / environmental impact, so this is where the 12 principles, or some of them, could be used as a useful baseline from which more detailed definitions and indicators could be created to meet grounds management needs.