British Cycling has published their first long-term sustainability strategy, which includes an ambitious target to achieve net zero by 2035 and to halve our carbon emissions by 2030.

Developed with the support of renowned sustainability consultants Think Beyond, and contributions from across the cycling community, the strategy also sets out our vision to become world leaders in the delivery of sustainable events, and continue to advocate for more people to make short journeys by bike.

In addition to its focus on reducing emissions the strategy champions the true power of the bike, recognising that if everyone in the UK who owned a bike cycled for journeys under five miles, rather than taking travelling by car, we’d save 10 million tonnes of carbon emissions and save the NHS £30.8 billion a year.

You can read the strategy in full here.

Our Impact

A detailed baselining exercise found that the total carbon emissions equate to 10,824 tonnes of CO₂e –equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 850 UK citizens. This was then broken down into direct emissions from activities and resources own and control (scope 1), indirect emissions associated with the purchase of energy (scope 2), and indirect emissions from our value chain (scope 3).

Of the emissions, they found that the largest contributions came from our supply chain (55%), business travel (34%) and electricity for our HQ at the National Cycling Centre (4%). British Cycling will be measuring the future progress against this 2022/23 benchmark year.

Our Action

British Cycling have already made good progress on a number of measures to reduce our carbon emissions. One such example is their ambition to transition their fleet of cars and vans to low and zero-carbon vehicles, with the support of the Official Partner Shell UK.

Through Shell UK’s Avelia platform, which contributes to the cost of sustainable aviation fuels, they will inset 353.08 tonnes of CO₂e, abating all of the Great Britian Cycling Team’s projected air travel in 2024.

Through the partnership with Shell UK, between July and November 2023 they were able to fully offset the 22,700kg of CO₂e from 7,100 litres of fuel in our fleet of cars and vans, using nature-based solutions. This offsetting involves supporting projects that protect nature and restore the environment, known as carbon credits.

Recognising that cycle-sport events contribute significantly to our sport’s carbon emissions, they have created a new Planet Positive programme to provide funding and resources to grassroots event organisers to support them in delivering sustainable events and activities.

Within the British Cycling community there are already some great examples of events taking innovative approaches to reduce their impact. The Otley Grand Prix round of the National Circuit Series has led the way through its provision of secure bike parking and focus on long-term partnerships to reduce wastage in printed branding, while Bournemouth BMX Club has pioneered an innovative jersey repair and recycling service in recent years.

Highlighting the long-term commitment to making progress in this area, they have applied to become a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, having already been a founding signatory of the UCI Climate Action Charter.

Ahead of the strategy’s publication, British Cycling External Affairs and Marketing Director, Caroline Julian, said:

“Our first sustainability strategy is a celebration of the brilliant work already taking place in all corners of our community, and reflects our ambition to become a truly world-leading sports body in the fight against the impacts of climate change.

“Working alongside our partners we’ve already made some really positive progress, and look forward to sharing this with our community over the years ahead. We’re grateful to the team at Think Beyond, who have provided invaluable support throughout the strategy’s development.”