Sustainability maturity tool

How to use this tool

Step 1

For each of the six themes, look at the actions at each level (from 'starting' to 'regenerative') and decide which best fits where you are now.

Step 2

For each theme, look at the actions at each level and decide where you want, or expect, to be in one or two years’ time.

Step 3

Use the suggested actions between the two levels to cross-check with an existing action plan or use them as a basis for a new action plan.

Step 4

Start now: implement the action plan and let us know how you’re getting on.

Carbon emissions

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions	Internal action	External action
1. Starting	Basic knowledge of emissions Energy use reduction initiatives in place	Learning from others Minimal involvement in emissions reduction efforts in the sector or locally
2. Progressing	Assessed climate impacts e.g. calculated carbon footprint or identified areas of highest impact Targets / goals set to reduce emissions with KPIs to assess progress Basic emissions reduction actions implemented, e.g. renewable electricity tariff, LED lights	Beginning to raise awareness of emissions reduction in the sector or locally
3. Sustainable	Several actions implemented to reduce operational emissions, leading to a reduction of carbon footprint Published carbon reduction targets e.g. signatory of UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, Science-Based Targets initiative	Involved in initiatives to reduce emissions in the sector or locally
4. Restorative	Demonstrable progress towards operational net zero and carbon neutrality Beginning to understand the interconnections between emissions and other sustainability themes	Initiated and delivered projects to reduce emissions in the sector or locally Shared resources and learning with others Influenced policy change towards net zero
5. Regenerative	Achieving operational net zero or carbon negative	Sector leadership and working in partnership; driving innovation and positive outcomes towards net zero, e.g. led shift to carbon negative solutions in the sector – removing more CO2 than emitting Actions across themes are interconnected (rather than done in silos) which enables positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes Positive impacts are quantified, communicated widely, and replicated by other organisations

Download the full tool

Sustainability maturity checker Download the file - 552.23 KB

Circular economy

Please see the Ellen MacArthur Foundation website for more information on circular economy.

Reducing material consumption and avoiding waste	Internal action	External action
1. Starting	Basic waste actions, e.g. recycling bins in office, sports facilities, events Encouraging reduction of single-use plastics, e.g. reusable water bottles	Learning from others Minimal involvement in waste reduction efforts in the sector or locally
2. Progressing	Assessed impact, e.g. conducted waste audit Targets / goals set to reduce waste Initial procurement considerations to reduce waste from operations e.g. buying less and differently, reuse, repurpose, repair, and minimising waste	Beginning to raise awareness about reducing waste
3. Sustainable	Circular economy is considered in procurement (and events), e.g. the principles; refuse-reduce-reuse-repurpose-recycle Major waste reduction actions taken in operations Supplier (and sponsors, where relevant) engagement initiatives to upskill supply chain; circular economy is a key criteria in your tender process	Involved in initiatives to improve the circular economy of the sector, sporting events or local area, e.g. donation programmes for second-hand sports kit / equipment
4. Restorative	Re-use is prioritised All products and services procured promote the circular economy Zero to extremely low waste produced Beginning to understand the interconnections between the circular economy and other sustainability themes	Initiated and delivered projects to improve and promote the circular economy of the sector or region
5. Regenerative	All actions result in zero waste and enable positive social, environmental, and economic benefits across the supply chain	Sector leadership and working in partnership; driving innovation and positive outcomes towards a fully circular economy Actions across themes are interconnected (rather than done in silos), which enables positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes Positive impacts are quantified, communicated widely, and replicated by other organisations

Download the full tool

Sustainability maturity checker Download the file - 552.23 KB

Blue-green environment

Improved access to quality blue and green spaces where physical activity takes place	Internal action	External action
1. Starting	Basic knowledge of the importance of blue-green environment quality Owned outdoor spaces are designed to be accessible Potential pollutants are still routinely used, e.g. single-use plastic (including packaging), pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers	Learning from others Minimal involvement with blue-green environment quality improvement initiatives in the sector or locally
2. Progressing	Assessed organisational impact on, and the relevance of, blue-green environments (and opportunities to influence) Targets / goals set to enhance the quality of blue-green environment Owned outdoor spaces are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and consider nature Initial pollution reduction actions, e.g. reduced or switched to less toxic products, plastics, paints, fertilisers	Beginning to raise awareness of blue-green environments quality improvements, e.g. pollution reduction campaigns
3. Sustainable	Owned outdoor spaces are designed to enhance nature, water, and wildlife Potential pollutants are carefully managed to reduce harm to people and the environment	Involved in initiatives to improve the quality, access, inclusion, and nature of blue-green environments in the sector or locally in your place/community
4. Restorative	All decisions actively consider benefits to the natural environment within operations, network, and supply chain Potential pollutants are avoided Beginning to understand the interconnections between the blue-green environment and other sustainability themes	Initiated and delivered projects to improve local blue-green environments which engage the wider community and actively enable greater connection with nature
5. Regenerative	All actions enable positive outcomes for the natural environment within operations, network, and supply chain	Sector leadership and working in partnership; driving innovation and positive outcomes in the blue-green environment for people and nature Actions across themes are interconnected (rather than done in silos), which enables positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes Positive impacts are quantified, communicated widely, and replicated by other organisations

Download the full tool

Sustainability maturity checker Download the file - 552.23 KB

Biodiversity gain

Enhancing the variety of plant and animal life	Internal action	External action
1. Starting	Basic knowledge of biodiversity loss Minimal consideration of impacts on wildlife or local species, e.g. pesticides and herbicides may be used	Learning from others Minimal involvement in biodiversity gain initiatives in the sector or locally
2. Progressing	Assessed organisational impact on local biodiversity (and opportunity to influence) Targets / goals set to improve biodiversity Initial actions taken, e.g. pesticide and herbicide use are limited, bird boxes or bug hotels	Beginning to raise awareness of biodiversity loss in the sector or locally in your place/community
3. Sustainable	Several actions implemented, leading to improved biodiversity on own site Beginning to consider biodiversity through procurement, e.g. purchasing organic food	Involved in initiatives to drive biodiversity gain in the sector or locally Set targets and reporting publicly, e.g. Signatory of IUCN Sports for Nature Framework or commitment to local nature recovery strategy
4. Restorative	Biodiversity improvements and wildlife benefits are achieved at own site and through the supply chain Beginning to understand the interconnections between biodiversity gain and other sustainability themes	Initiated and delivered projects to enhance biodiversity and benefit wildlife in the sector or locally in your place/community
5. Regenerative	All actions enable positive outcomes for biodiversity within operations, network, and supply chain	Sector leadership and working in partnership; driving innovation and positive outcomes in biodiversity gain Actions across themes are interconnected (rather than done in silos), which enables positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes Positive biodiversity impacts are quantified, communicated widely and replicated by other organisations

Download the full tool

Sustainability maturity checker Download the file - 552.23 KB

Tackling inequalities

Action to address climate-related inequalities/impact on under-served communities	Internal action	External action
1. Starting	Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)-focused actions Separate environmental and EDI policy/strategy Limited knowledge of climate-related inequalities, or the environmental impact on under-represented or under-served communities	Learning from others Minimal involvement in climate-related inequalities reduction efforts in the sector or locally
2. Progressing	Assessed organisational relevance of climate-related inequalities (and opportunities to influence) Team members have completed training or built their knowledge about climate-related inequalities Basic actions to reduce climate-related inequalities e.g. charitable giving, volunteering days for local climate resilience projects	Beginning to raise awareness of climate-related inequalities in the sector or locally
3. Sustainable	Targets / goals set to reduce climate-related inequalities Some actions implemented to reduce climate-related inequalities e.g. providing mentorship, work experience, jobs, switched procurement to fair trade, local suppliers etc	Involved in initiatives to reduce climate-related inequalities in the sector or locally, e.g. community outreach programmes, influencing stakeholders (developers, local authority, etc), awareness-raising campaigns
4. Restorative	Social and environmental impact on under-served communities is improved through operations and supply chain Beginning to understand the interconnections between climate-related inequalities and other sustainability themes	Initiated and delivered projects to improve the social and environmental impact on under-served communities in the sector or locally Shared resources and learning with others
5. Regenerative	All actions enable positive outcomes for under-served communities	Sector leadership and working in partnership; driving innovation and positive outcomes to improve the social and environmental impact on underserved communities in the UK and globally Actions across themes are interconnected (rather than done in silos), which enables positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes Positive impacts are quantified, communicated widely, and replicated by other organisations

Download the full tool

Sustainability maturity checker Download the file - 552.23 KB

Enabler

Please see the Sports Governance Academy website for support on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).

Organisational knowledge and capacity	Internal action	External action
1. Starting	Basic understanding of sustainability and climate change Minimal engagement with available support and training No dedicated agenda lead	N/A
2. Progressing	Initial knowledge and capability-building Relevant staff have completed training Initial governance actions undertaken, e.g. environmental sustainability policy and agenda lead in place; Environmental Sustainability considered in organisational risk register	N/A
3. Sustainable	Clear operational and strategic leadership for environmental sustainability and board-level responsibility (e.g. Board champion) Environmental sustainability is embedded within operations and governance, in line with section 5.2 of ‘A Code for Sports Governance’, e.g. job descriptions and decision criteria and regularly discussed at Board and senior leadership level Training implemented for relevant team members (and volunteers and athletes) at all organisational levels	N/A
4. Restorative	Sustainability is considered holistically, understanding the interconnections between all themes (i.e. not split by carbon, pollution, biodiversity etc) and is embedded within operations and governance	N/A
5. Regenerative	N/A	Knowledge and capacity are actively grown, beyond own organisation, across networks and partners Actively guides, supports, and collaborates widely to drive systemic change Educates and encourages others to ensure that actions across themes are interconnected (rather than done in silos), which enables positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes

Download the full tool

Sustainability maturity checker Download the file - 552.23 KB

Next steps

Now you've evaluated your organisation's sustainability maturity using our tool, it's time to take the next steps in developing your action plan – you can use the prompt questions below to help you.

Until 2027, there's no requirement to report your sustainability progress to us, but we're keen to hear about the progress you're making: your challenges, solutions and ambitions.

And we’d love to share that with the sector – to help others on their journey and to shape the resources we're creating to help you move further, faster.

So please drop us a line to let us know how you're getting on!

Get in touch

Questions to ask yourself

What maturity level do you believe your organisation is at?
What are your key successes?
What have been the key enablers and blockers?
What have you learnt along the way?
What would you like to do more of and what would support these ambitions?
Are there any risks to you achieving progress? For example, operational capability and resource, strategic support from leadership, conflicting priorities etc.
Is there any further support you feel you need?

Sustainability maturity tool

How to use this tool

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Sign up to our newsletter