World Environment Day: Practical steps clubs can take to protect our waterways
This World Environment Day, here’s how we’re helping clubs protect the waterways we love and what you can do
This World Environment Day, we are reaffirming our commitment to protecting the waterways that sustain our sport. As a founding member of the Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA), we stand alongside 11 other national governing bodies representing 450,000 members, athletes and recreational water users whose health, safety and enjoyment are directly affected by poor water quality and pollution.
The Alliance has set a shared vision: healthy, nature‑rich blue spaces for everyone to enjoy. To achieve this, the CWSA is calling for action in three priority areas:
- Further and faster action on pollution, improving the health of UK waters by 2030
- Real‑time information so people can make informed decisions about where and when to participate
- Recognition of all recreational water users in policy and decision‑making
Helping clubs to take action
We are continuing to help clubs reduce their environmental impact through our Sustainability Noticeboard, which is packed with practical guidance and case studies on water quality, plastic pollution, nature restoration, energy usage and flood mitigation, alongside a model Club Sustainability Officer role description.
Clubs can also access:
- Guidance on rowing when water quality is poor and how to report sickness
- Instructions for reporting pollution in Environment Agency waters and using Storm Overflow Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) maps
- A downloadable invasive species identification leaflet to support Check, Clean, Dry – free posters and signs available from the GB Non‑Native Species Secretariat
Slides from our recent webinar, Reducing Your Environmental Impact, provide practical examples of how rowing clubs can cut their environmental footprint while also lowering costs and generating income.
Key actions include:
- Carbon Management: Using BASIS tools to calculate emissions and identify hotspots
- Energy Solutions: Securing competitive rates and price stability through the 2buy2 Energy Basket
- Infrastructure: Learning from Monmouth Rowing Club’s solar PV installation, which delivers long‑term savings and income
- Electric Propulsion: Reducing emissions, noise and maintenance by switching to electric outboards
- Waste Reduction: Using Afterlife Carbon for sustainable disposal of carbon‑fibre blades and kitround to redistribute sports kit
- Income Generation: Installing EV charging infrastructure to create a passive, long‑term revenue stream
Here to support your club
Our clubs are now supported by Club Sustainability Manager, Claudine Pearson, and Floating Pennywort Manager, Vanessa Coldwell, who work directly with clubs and competitions to embed practical, achievable environmental actions.
Get in touch via [email protected] – we’d love to hear about your initiatives or help you take the next step on your sustainability journey.
kitround x British Rowing donation points
Got some kit you no longer need? We’ve collaborated with kitround to set up donation points at our Masters and Club Championships. All proceeds from donated kit goes to Love Rowing. Find out more here.
