GREEN GOALS 2027
CONFERENCE
Keeping Communities Active
In A Changing Climate
The national conference for professionals working to create active, health and climate resilient communities.
Manchester Conference Centre, Pendulum Hotel, Manchester
15th July 2027
The next stage of Green Goals
Green Goals 2027 will be the third conference in a continuing national conversation about climate change, environmental sustainability and the future of physical activity.
The first two conferences helped establish why this subject matters. They brought together professionals from physical activity, public health, local government, Active Partnerships, leisure, transport, nature and community delivery to examine how environmental change is affecting the places people live, move and play.
We have explored the effects of extreme weather, rising operating costs and increasing environmental pressures. We have also considered the role physical activity can play in creating healthier places, strengthening communities and supporting a more sustainable future.
Green Goals 2027 will move the conversation forward. The conference will uncover the latest evidence, policy direction, initiatives and practical responses from across the sector. It will consider how organisations can adapt their services, protect facilities and outdoor spaces, reduce inequalities and ensure communities continue to have opportunities to be active.
Developed with input from organisations working across national strategy, place-based physical activity and community leisure, Green Goals 2027 will connect knowledge with delivery—and help identify the leadership, investment and collaboration now required.
Environmental sustainability is now central to participation, public health, facility planning and the future resilience of our communities.
"Whatever your role, Green Goals 2027 will help you connect environmental change with the decisions you make for people, places and physical activity."
Protect Participation
Understand how heat, flooding and environmental disruption are changing people's ability to be active.
Reduce Inequalities
Ensure climate pressures do not remove opportunities from communities already facing the greatest barriers.
Strengthen Places
Help facilities, parks, pitches, routes and community spaces prepare for changing conditions.
Plan for the Future
Build environmental sustainability and climate resilience into strategy, investment and ever
If you are responsible for increasing physical activity, improving public health, managing community facilities or creating healthier places, climate change is no longer a separate environmental issue. It is increasingly influencing how, where and when people can be active.
Extreme heat can make outdoor activity unsafe. Flooding and drought can damage pitches, parks and walking routes. Rising energy and water costs place additional pressure on swimming pools and leisure facilities. Poor air quality, transport disruption and the loss of accessible green space can make participation more difficult.
These pressures will not affect every community equally. People living with poor health, disability, financial hardship or limited access to suitable facilities may have fewer alternatives when local opportunities are disrupted.
Physical activity professionals therefore have an important role to play—not only in reducing the environmental impact of their organisations, but in helping communities prepare, adapt and remain active.
Green Goals 2027 will help delegates understand the emerging risks, explore practical responses and build relationships with organisations working across health, climate, leisure, planning, transport, nature and community development.
Three Pillars, One Shared Purpose
Protecting participation, health and equality.
Climate change is altering how, where and when people can be active. Heat, flooding and poor air quality create health risks and may deepen inequalities for communities with limited access to safe, affordable facilities and alternative opportunities.
PEOPLE
Creating resilient facilities and active environments
Leisure centres, swimming pools, parks, playing fields, walking routes and public spaces all support community activity.
Many are now facing increasing pressure from heat, flooding, drought, energy costs and ageing infrastructure.
PLACES
Turning ambition into practical delivery.
Awareness alone will not create change.
Organisations need clear leadership, skilled people, appropriate investment and stronger collaboration across sectors.
ACTION
Expert Voices, Practical Insight.
Conference Chair, CEO, Active Humber
Environmental Sustainability Lead, Sport England
Project Manager - Community Energy. North West Net Zero Hub
Conference Chair, CEO, Active Humber
Green Goals 2027 will bring together expert speakers from physical activity, public health, climate science, local government, leisure, planning, transport, research and community delivery.
Each speaker will contribute specialist knowledge, current evidence and practical experience, helping delegates understand how climate change is affecting people, places and opportunities to be active.
The programme will move beyond simply describing the challenge. Speakers will share emerging policy, successful initiatives, lessons from delivery, and ideas organisations can apply in their own communities.
Their collective message will be clear: environmental sustainability must become part of how the sector plans, invests and works—and collaboration will be essential to keeping communities active, healthy and resilient.
