WSA progresses to Green Growth Pledge PLUS 

WSA progresses to Green Growth Pledge PLUS 

The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) is thrilled to have graduated from the Business Wales Green Growth Pledge and now undertake the Green Growth Pledge PLUS. 

The Pledge helps Welsh businesses take pro-active steps towards improving their sustainability, as well as joining a growing community of forward-thinking organisations who are helping Wales transition to a low carbon future. 

It offers a range of straightforward, practical actions that can be taken, which the WSA has aligned with in order to become an increasingly sustainable organisation and workplace. 

From logging work-related travel and taking steps to reduce energy consumption to donating our used tech and hosting the Sustainability in Sport Conference each year, the WSA is committed to driving and contributing to a more sustainable sports sector and society. 

The WSA’s Sustainability Champion, Sion Jones, has been leading on this work. 

“In our first year with the Green Growth Pledge, we began by completing a Carbon Reduction Plan. This involved calculating our business’s CO₂ emissions, reviewing ongoing reduction initiatives, and setting clear targets and goals to further cut our impact. 

“We are now focused on collecting the data that was missing from our initial report and implementing changes we believe will move us closer to achieving net zero. 

“Collaboration with our partners, landlords, and distributors is essential for gathering accurate information and deepening our understanding of sustainability across our operations. 

“For anyone seeking advice, our main recommendation is to reach out to us or to Business Wales for support. The most important step is simply to start; your understanding and progress will grow along the way.” 

Gráinne Connolly, Decarbonisation Advisor at Business Wales commented: 

“It was a real pleasure to meet with Sion recently and hear about their journey as a business to Net Zero.  

“I was inspired by their recent Sustainability in Sports Conference at Rodney Parade because the venue was so hot on sustainability, offering locally produced, vegan food and no single-use plastics in sight. 

“It was a pleasure to see how the WSA had built on their original Green Growth Pledge, and have now made further commitments by taking the Pledge PLUS, including a commitment from WSA to support and encourage their members and supply chain to reduce their own carbon footprints. 

“Keep up the good work, WSA! Rydyn ni’n falch iawn!” 

The WSA encourages all members and partners to reach out to Business Wales, who can support you to start your journey to Net Zero.  

Learn more here.

“We can help you measure your carbon emissions, create a carbon reduction plan, and take the Green Growth Pledge, which is all fully funded by Welsh Government,” concluded Gráinne.