photo: alliance leisure
David Minton’s informative article in HCM issue 8 2021, (page 55)about two of the biggest challenges facing the world – the health of the planet and the health of individuals – was a fascinating read and really struck a chord. And it’s evident to me that in their own way, public sector providers are playing a key role in helping to overcome both of these challenges.
The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report (www.HCMmag.com/IPCC) shows that human activity is unequivocally the cause of rapid changes to the climate, resulting in extreme heatwaves, droughts and flooding.
We’re working with public sector leisure providers across the UK to help the government meet its net zero targets by decarbonising their activities through targeted investment in equipment and infrastructure.
Many of the UK’s sports and leisure centres were built in the 1970s and are extremely energy inefficient, generating levels of high carbon emissions. By improving energy efficiencies and cutting emissions, local authorities are having a significant impact on sustainability targets, while providing physical activity facilities that support healthy, active communities.
As an example, we’re working with Hambleton District Council to cut carbon emissions across four leisure centres in Northallerton, Stokesley, Bedale and Thirsk. We helped the council to secure a £4.7m Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant to fund the installation of new heat pumps, solar panels and LED light fittings. Projections indicate these collective efficiencies will result in 57 per cent per annum reduction in the carbon output for each centre, with the added bonus of a £38,985 projected cost saving per year.
The government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is designed to help councils improve efficiencies and cut carbon emissions from public sector buildings. Both rounds of the fund were a huge success, with phase two closing after just one week, because applications worth more than £150m were submitted for the £75m fund.
This demonstrates just how proactive local authorities are being in delivering on the net zero agenda to help avert a climate catastrophe, while they continue to serve the public health agenda.
Local authorities are delivering against
the net zero agenda to help avert a
climate catastrophe, while continuing
to serve the public health agenda