Green Goals 2026: Thank You for Helping Us Shape a Greener, Healthier Future.

As we prepare to welcome the Why Sports community to the Green Goals Conference 2026, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work, energy and commitment that have gone into bringing this important event together.

The Why Sports team has worked incredibly hard to create a conference that does more than discuss environmental sustainability in isolation. Green Goals is about connecting sustainability to the places we live, work, travel, play and move.

It is about recognising that climate change, clean air, access to nature, active travel, investment in facilities and the future of sport and physical activity are all deeply connected to the health and wellbeing of the nation.

We are hugely grateful to every speaker, delegate, exhibitor and partner who has engaged with the conference and helped shape a day that is both timely and necessary. Your enthusiasm, expertise and support are what make these conversations meaningful.

Environmental sustainability is no longer a side issue for the sport, leisure and physical activity sector. It is central to how we protect the future of participation. Extreme weather, rising energy costs, poor air quality, pressure on facilities and the loss of green and blue spaces all affect the ability of people and communities to be active. At the same time, the sector has a major opportunity to lead — by developing robust sustainability strategies, reducing energy consumption, protecting nature, investing in cleaner and more resilient infrastructure, and helping communities live healthier, happier and more active lives.

Healthier Lives, Healthier Places.

We are delighted that David Gent, CEO of Active Humber, will chair the conference and open the day by setting out why this conversation matters now. David will help frame the link between sustainability, place, physical and mental wellbeing, and the leadership needed to turn ambition into action.

Our opening plenary will explore the policy, strategy and evidence that sit behind this agenda. Olivia Shears from the Climate Change Committee will examine the impact of climate change on sport and public health, and why adaptation and resilience are now essential. Dave Bell from Natural England will highlight the importance of nature, access and prevention, reminding us that healthier environments play a vital role in supporting participation, wellbeing and long-term health.

Denise Ludlam from Sport England will explore how sustainability strategies can translate into community outcomes, including the role of Every Move and the Sustainability Matrix in supporting better decision-making across the sector. Dr Katrina Davies from Greener Practice will then bring the health perspective to the conversation, exploring planetary health, sustainable healthcare, prevention and the role of Greener Practice in creating healthier communities.

From Buildings to Places: Infrastructure, Travel and Community Action.

The second morning plenary will focus on how infrastructure, travel, energy and local leadership can support more sustainable and active communities.

Rhianna Weston from the North West Net Zero Energy Hub will share how community energy can support sport, leisure and community buildings, including the opportunities linked to solar, battery storage and renewable energy schemes. Jennifer Huygen from Community Leisure UK and Jeremy Gould from GLL will explore the future leisure facility, looking at how lower-carbon buildings can also deliver higher social value for local communities.

Steve Gilholme from Greater Manchester Combined Authority will discuss sustainable transport and the role it plays in creating healthier places, reducing car dependency and supporting behaviour change. Louise Robbins from GM Moving will highlight Greater Manchester’s work in connecting climate ambition, active lives and local leadership, showing how environmental thinking can be embedded into partnerships, networks and community action.

Ian Grange from The Football Association and Scott Sommerville from E.ON will close the plenary by exploring how grassroots clubs can become more sustainable, access practical support and play a stronger role in creating healthier and more resilient communities.

Case Studies: Turning Strategy into Practical Solutions.

We are also pleased to welcome LUC and Solar Sense as key partners delivering important case study presentations.

Jennette Emery-Wallis from LUC will present The AELTC Wimbledon Park Project Case Study: Making Healthy People, Place and Nature, using the Wimbledon Park Planning Project to show how landscape, movement, planning and design can come together to create places that encourage activity, interaction and healthier communities.

Adrian Thomas from Solar Sense will present Protecting Against Rising Energy Costs and Accelerating Net Zero, sharing practical lessons from leading sports and leisure clubs. His session will explore how solar PV, battery storage, carports, future EV infrastructure and funding routes can help organisations reduce costs, strengthen resilience and accelerate progress towards Net Zero.

These sessions are vital because they move the conversation from ambition into delivery. They show what is possible when expertise, investment and environmental responsibility are brought together with a clear focus on long-term community benefit.

Turning Green Goals into Action.

The afternoon plenary will focus on travel, behaviour change and organisational delivery.

We are looking forward to a powerful panel debate featuring Sean Bird from Pledgeball, Graeme Banister from Mobilityways, Steve Gilholme from Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Dr Katrina Davies from Greener Practice. Together, they will explore healthier places, cleaner air and more active lives, asking what should happen next and how organisations can address travel, air quality, local design and participation in practical ways.

Antony Gough and Jo Holmes from Investors in the Environment will then lead a session on how organisations actually deliver change. Their contribution will focus on internal understanding, stronger processes, culture change and the practical steps needed to move from intention to action.

Richard Dickson from Play It Green will help close the day by showing how everyday actions can be turned into measurable environmental and social impact. His session will reinforce the importance of making sustainability accessible, practical and visible for workforces, customers and communities.

Thank You to Our Exhibitors and Partners.

We would also like to thank our exhibitors and partners for supporting the conference and helping delegates connect with practical ideas, services and solutions.

Thank you to Pledgeball, Consultus, Wiseman Lighting, Transport for Greater Manchester and Greener Practice for joining us and contributing to the wider conversation throughout the day. Each organisation brings something important to the agenda, from behaviour change and sustainable travel to lighting, energy, healthcare, cleaner air, active communities and environmental responsibility.

Their involvement helps make Green Goals more than a conference. It becomes a place where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed, and practical action can begin.

Why This Matters to Why Sports.

At Why Sports, our mission has always been to help drive a healthier and happier nation by supporting the people, organisations and partnerships that increase participation in sport and physical activity.

Green Goals is a natural and necessary part of that mission. If we want more people to be active, we must protect and improve the environments that make activity possible. We need safe streets, clean air, accessible green spaces, sustainable facilities, resilient community assets and organisations that are prepared to lead with purpose.

The sports, leisure and physical activity sector already works tirelessly to support communities. The next step is ensuring that sustainability strategies are embedded into that work — helping organisations coordinate, manage and maintain plans that reduce energy, improve sustainability, protect nature and tackle climate change.

Thank you once again to the Why Sports team, our speakers, delegates, partners and exhibitors for your continued support. Your engagement and commitment are helping to move this agenda forward.

Together, we can create greener places, healthier communities and a more active nation.