British Horseracing Authority launches sustainability study

UK racing bodies have commissioned an assessment of the sport’s progress on environmental and sustainability goals.

UK.- The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that an assessment has been commissioned to assess progress on sustainability in the sport.

It said the study would aim to offer a “clearer overall picture of current environmental activity” across the sport’s value chain, through breeding, training, racing and welfare.

The assessment will identify key sustainability issues, risks, and opportunities and investigate how racing leadership bodies can communicate the risks of climate change.

Scoping assessments will probe environmental sustainability, including CO2 emissions, decarbonisation and renewable energy, use of water and plastics, and the potential for positive contributions through biodiversity. 

Sustainability consultancy White Griffin will carry out the three-month study with funding from the Racing Foundation. 

Rob Hezel, chief executive of the Racing Foundation, said: “We believe that environmental sustainability is crucial to British racing’s long-term future and prosperity, which is why it is a key pillar of the Racing Foundation’s strategy.

“A large amount of work has already been carried out across the industry, ranging from decarbonisation efforts to grassland management and waste reduction, so this work will help build an overall picture of where we are and where we want to be.”

Ruth Dancer, director of White Griffin, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the racing industry on this project. Racing is unique as a sport in terms of its relationship with the environment, so this is a really exciting area, with huge potential.

“Working closely with individuals and businesses from across the industry, we will explore the existing expertise and enthusiasm within racing, gather information about ongoing activities, and make recommendations on where there’s potential for further action.”

See also: Bookmakers unconvinced by BHA 2022 fixture list

Last month, the BHA confirmed the appointment of Raj Parker as an independent non-executive director.

Parker, a senior partner at London law firm Freshfields, will take up his role at the horseracing governing body on January 1. He will replace Sir Paul Stephenson, who joined the Board in 2015 and whose term ends on December 31.