The Green Runners are a community of environmentally conscious runners who have developed a clear approach to reducing carbon emissions within the running community.
Formed after COP26, this grassroots movement has created practical frameworks and resources to help runners understand and reduce their environmental impact while building a supportive community around sustainable practices.
Through this approach to environmental action, The Green Runners demonstrate that sporting communities can drive meaningful climate action by making sustainability accessible, relevant and achievable for their members.
Video Description
The video begins with an upbeat, percussion-led music track and a title slide featuring the Sport England logo and the words ‘Sport England Every Move – Case studies: Carbon footprinting with The Green Runners’.
On a blank screen, the text ‘Who are The Green Runners?’ slides in.
We see a close-up of a hat on a man’s head featuring the logo of The Green Runners and the slogan ‘Est. Just In Time’.
A group of parkrun volunteers talk outside the Forest Recreation Ground Pavilion and people of all ages are shown jogging in the event.
We hear the voice of a man before he appears on screen and is introduced by a caption as ‘Kevin Bowen, Green Runner – Local groups and social media lead’.
Kevin says: “So The Green Runners are a community of like-minded individuals who create positive action and engagement and reduce the impact of running on the environment.”
The question ‘Why is reducing carbon footprints important to The Green Runners?’ appears on a blank slide.
A cardboard ‘Finish’ sign is propped up against the pavilion, while runners talk and stretch during a parkrun event.
Kevin continues: “So the Green Runners were formed really through frustration after COP26, what we perceived to be a lack of climate action from world leaders, and we wanted to form a group of like-minded runners to actually take action and amplify our voices.”
The next question slide reads ‘What are you doing to support your members to address their carbon footprint?’
More runners are shown stretching and talking in groups at the parkrun event by the pavilion.
Kevin continues: “So we’re trying to help members understand their carbon footprint by breaking down confusing language. So we’ve broken that down into four key pillars: how we move, how we kit up, how we fuel, and how we speak out.”
A teenager in a high-vis vest addresses the runners on a microphone, before we see a wide-angle shot of dozens of runners jogging in the distance, next to a field.
Kevin continues: “So we’ve engaged more people in their carbon footprint through education and then speaking in local communities, attending local events and asking what they want to know, what support they need, and how we can help them. So really encouraging members to reduce their carbon footprint by making meaningful pledges against our four pillars.”
More runners are shown sprinting beside the field.
The next blank slide has the text ‘The Green Runners pledges include…’
Runners including a man with children in a pram take part in the parkrun, shown by a sign to be Forest Rec.
A man introduced by a caption as ‘Matt Nicholas, Member of The Green Runners’ says: “My pledges since I joined The Green Runners focused very much on how I move about. You know, wanting to ensure that how I get to things is minimally impactful as possible. When I sign up to do a race that actually I’m not kind of travelling huge distances and really kind of having a big environmental impact.”
A parkrun volunteer applauds participants as they pass.
A second member of The Green Runners, introduced as Matt Jones, says: “A little bit about fuelling. Try and think about what to eat and when to eat and try and keep it plant-based as much as possible. That’s a change I have made.”
More runners are applauded as they cross the finish line.
A third member of The Green Runners, introduced as Su Justice, says: “I try not to buy new kit. It’s not always easy because sometimes there are races where there’s mandatory kit and it’s something that you haven’t already got. My first port of call will be to try and source it second-hand.”
More shots of parkrun volunteers talking are shown, before we see a large group of runners preparing for an event to get under way and then further shots of people during the run.
Su continues: “I tend to choose races that are more local and if I am going to go and do an event, I will try and build something else around that. I’m really lucky that I’ve got a very supportive family. They will come with me. We will make a day of it. They’ll be walking. We’ll then invest in the local community.”
The next question slide reads ‘What is your advice for others?’
Another volunteer applauds runners as they cross the finish line.
Matt, the first member of The Green Runners who was introduced, says: “I think the advice is it doesn’t have to be big changes.”
A man runs with a dog alongside other parkrun participants.
Matt continues: “It’s just little ones, just telling people. Think yourself a little bit about what you’re doing, how you’re getting here. Are we car-sharing this week or are we all driving on our own and things like that. It’s not big, but if they all add up, they’re going to make a big difference. It’s worth making the effort.”
We see more shots of runners heading in opposite directions around the parkrun course, some people walking and then a man giving a thumbs-up as he crosses the finish line.
Kevin, the first person to speak in the video, says: “So I’d encourage other sports organisations and companies to engage with their members, ask them what support they need, break down confusing language into something like our four pillars. So it’s easy for them to understand, easy for them to take action, and really just amplify their voices.”
More people cross the finish line and are applauded as the background music fades up.
The video ends with a blank slide that says ‘Created by’ above the logos of Useful Projects (part of the Useful Simple Trust and a social enterprise and B Corp sustainability consultancy) and Pictures for the People (a social enterprise video production agency).
Why have they taken action?
While running is often perceived as a low-impact sport, the community recognised that significant carbon emissions stem from various aspects of running culture.
For example, on average over 90% of mass-participation events’ carbon footprint comes from participant travel, with additional impacts from equipment consumption, nutrition choices and lack of environmental awareness.
The challenge was to translate complex carbon footprinting concepts into actionable, runner-focused guidance that the entire community could understand and implement.
How have they done it?
Breaking down complex concepts
The Green Runners developed a four-pillar framework that transforms confusing environmental jargon into clear, actionable areas:
1. How we travel
Addressing the largest impact area by encouraging sustainable transport to running events, recognising that air travel and solo car journeys have the most significant environmental cost.
2. How we kit up
Tackling overconsumption of and waste from running gear by promoting sustainable purchasing and reusing, repairing and opting for second-hand kit, where possible, rather than acquiring new products.
3. How we fuel
Encouraging plant-based nutrition and reducing single-use plastics in running nutrition, helping members understand the environmental impact of dietary choices.
4. How we speak out
Empowering members to become environmental advocates, recognising that collective voices create greater impact than individual efforts.
By translating complex environmental concepts into familiar running terminology, The Green Runners make sustainability relevant and understandable to their target community.
The four-pillar framework provides clear structure without overwhelming participants.
Building a supportive and inclusive community
Progressive commitment model
The Green Runners encourage new members to make a pledge under each pillar, making one pledge at a minimum, acknowledging that “progress, not perfection” drives meaningful change.
This approach removes barriers to participation and allows individuals to build confidence before expanding their commitments.
Local meetups and knowledge sharing
Regular in-person gatherings foster a sense of community within The Green Runners and enable localised knowledge sharing on how to make tangible lifestyle changes (e.g. the best second-hand shop in your area, or a network of friends to ride-share).
So far, active meetups in Nottingham and Bristol have been really successful, and there is an ambition to expand regional networks across the UK and beyond.
Educational resources
Online materials support member understanding of each pillar’s environmental impact and provide practical guidance for making carbon reductions.
The Green Runners provide concrete actions and resources that members can immediately implement, from transport choices to equipment purchases to dietary changes.
Representation and advocacy
Members can purchase badges made from upcycled race t-shirts, creating conversation starters and visible commitment to environmental action while keeping materials out of landfill.
Spreading the message
The Green Runners attend running events to educate participants about carbon impacts and demonstrate that environmental action can be integrated seamlessly into running culture.
This outreach approach extends their influence beyond direct membership.
Outcomes
- 3000+ active members each committed to specific carbon reduction pledges.
- Two established regional meetups with expansion plans under way.
- Thousands of hours volunteering in the community.
- A social media presence of over 15,000.
- Growing presence at running events including Village Green and Love Trails festivals.
- Increased awareness of environmental impacts within the broader running community, and now reaching a global audience.
- Success in getting high-carbon brands removed as headline partners from running events, and influential running ambassadors pulling out of sponsorships in favour of more value-aligned partnerships.
- Working on a ‘Greener Races’ scheme to support event organisers to become more sustainable.
Top tips
Simplify complex issues
Environmental challenges can seem overwhelming, but breaking them into manageable, sport-specific categories makes action achievable and relevant.
Start small, build momentum
Requiring only one initial commitment encourages participation and allows individuals to build confidence before expanding their environmental efforts.
Local networks drive impact
In-person connections and regional knowledge sharing create stronger, more sustainable community engagement than purely digital approaches.
Use existing passion
Leveraging members’ existing love of running provides a powerful foundation for environmental advocacy, making sustainability personally relevant rather than abstract.
