27 August 2025
ParalympicsGB publishes ambitious Sustainability Strategy
ParalympicsGB has published its Sustainability Strategy committing to major reductions in its environmental impact while advocating for disabled people who are among those most impacted by climate change.
The strategy, developed in collaboration with Deloitte, will see ParalympicsGB embed environmental considerations into its practices and processes in the drive to Net-Zero and sets out a range of ambitious targets as it builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and beyond.
Our sustainability strategy
The goals include:
· By the end of 2025, reach Net-Zero across all our direct emissions
· By 2028, demonstrate over a 50% reduction in materials transported to the games monitoring reductions over games cycles
· By 2028, be leading with examples of commissioning and championing academic research to further understand the unique barriers between disability and sustainability
· By 2028, evidence of two new partners or partner-led programmes which demonstrate collective action to tackle sustainability challenges facing disability communities
As the strategy was developed before Paris 2024, ParalympicsGB can report on the significant progress that has been made towards achieving its sustainability ambitions:
· 76 per cent of athletes and staff travelled to the French capital by Eurostar reducing emissions by 28 per cent compared to initial estimates
· 76 per cent of items procured for Paris 2024 were recycled or repurposed
· All competition apparel products contain a minimum 74% recycled materials
Authentic, realistic goals
David Clarke, CEO of ParalympicsGB, said: “Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important issue for athletes, fans, corporate partners and our wider stakeholders.
“While accepting there are some things that are beyond our control such as where each Paralympic Games will be hosted, our sustainability strategy has clear, authentic and realistic goals that align with the insight of our athletes and wider stakeholders.
“As an organisation focused on supporting and empowering ParalympicsGB to compete at the highest level whilst also seeking to make a meaningful difference for all disabled people in the UK, we know only too well that making the right decisions on our environmental impact can be complex.
“That is because some of the actions that can effectively minimise carbon emissions are not necessarily always the best choices from an accessibility point of view.
“Our commitment must always be to consider all options and to be ambitious in exploring what can be achieved to mitigate the impact of climate change on disabled communities while also championing climate adaptation and justice for all disabled people.”
ParalympicsGB worked closely with Deloitte on an environmental sustainability strategy to complement its social impact strategy and establish leadership responsibilities to clearly define where we do and do not seek to influence change.
Deloitte supported in developing the strategy, including reviewing academic research and carrying out desktop research across peer organisations, conducting stakeholder interviews, delivering workshops and consulting athletes, members and employees.
Merlyn Gregory, partner and sustainability and climate strategy lead at Deloitte, added: “It has been incredibly rewarding to collaborate with ParalympicsGB on their sustainability strategy. By working together, with the invaluable input from former Paralympic athletes, this strategy addresses the social and environmental issues of climate change, while also raising awareness for both the opportunities and challenges that exist between sustainability and disability. I look forward to seeing the positive impact the strategy will make, particularly on those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”
A recent Harvard Study identified that the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect disabled people as they are two to four times more likely to die or be injured in a climate emergency such as heatwave or flooding.
ParalympicsGB will work in a strategic partnership with experts at Loughborough University to further understand the unique barriers between disability and sustainability
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