The BMC is one of the first organisations to sign Sport England’s Going for Green Pledge, an initiative spearheaded by their chair and former Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman. The aim is to encourage the sport and physical activity sector to step up its work in tackling climate change, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

To raise awareness of the Going for Green Pledge and encourage green action and innovation, Chris will cycle 550 miles for eight days from Manchester to Paris on 16-23 July 2024 in his Pedal for Paris.

BBC Sport will report live, daily on Pedal for Paris as part of their build up to the Olympics and Paralympics, focusing on environmental sustainability with coverage of influential projects along the way.

Chris will be joined by multiple Olympic medallist and UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger and a host of other guests, including the BMC’s very own Dr. Cath Flitcroft, Senior Policy & Campaigns Officer.

On day one Chris will be planting sphagnum moss in the Peak District with Cath and BMC The Climate Project partner Moors for the Future. Cath says, “We are delighted to be among the first to sign Sport England’s Going for Green Pledge. Reducing waste, lowering carbon output and increasing conservation work aligns perfectly with what the BMC is already doing and what we will be committing to as we aim for Net Zero in 2040.”

In our Going for Green Pledge, the BMC has committed to improving environmental sustainability by:

reducing energy and water usage
championing walking, cycling and lift sharing when travelling to activities
drastically reducing reliance on single use plastics
recycling waste and increasing the reuse of sports equipment and kit
boosting activity to nurture nature and wildlife

Cath says, “We are very much looking forward to planting sphagnum moss with Chris and the team, and showing them the fantastic work of Moors for the Future. BMC volunteers and staff have planted over 16,000 sphagnum plugs, and members have donated over £30,000 to support this project, via The Climate Project, from the BMC Access & Conservation Trust (ACT).”

DONATE TO THE CLIMATE PROJECT HERE

Looking ahead to the ride, Chris Boardman said: "We’re excited to be shining a light on some of the most inspirational and innovative people and projects who are putting the environment first.

"Climate change is already impacting people getting active so we must act now. Leading up to Pedal For Paris, we want sport and physical activity organisations to sign the Going for Green pledge and commit to new ways to become more sustainable.

"Small steps across our sector can lead to big results in our aim to become more environmentally sustainable."

Why sphagnum?

Sphagnum is vital in the fight against the climate crisis as it locks in as much carbon as a tropical rainforest and holds 20 times its own weight in water which is essential in the rewetting and rewilding process. The more we plant and preserve, the brighter the future for Britain’s green and blue spaces.

The BMC Access & Conservation Trust has raised over £30,100 for The Climate Project so far which will restore 1,200 square metres of sphagnum on the Peak District moors.

It costs £25 to plant one metre squared (1m²) of sphagnum moss and there is a long way to go, so any donations are much appreciated.

All donations are gratefully received here.

Want to be involved?

In the run up to the ride, Sport England is asking sport and physical activity organisations across the country to sign a Going for Green Pledge, committing to new ways to become more sustainable.

This follows the launch of Sport England's ambitious strategy to promote environmental sustainability, including more than £40 million of new funding to promote green innovation and participation, and helping sport and physical activity organisations become more resilient to climate change.

WATCH: The Climate Project - help fight climate change on our moorlands on BMC TV