Plastic pollution and sewage pollution in our rivers, air pollution alongside the waters we paddle are all contributing to the urgency of the threats to our blue spaces upon which we depend as a sport.
Paddle UK is committed to a sustainable future, reducing our impact on the environment and taking action to change behaviours which contribute to climate change. You can download our strategy in the sidebar on this page or below if you are on mobile.
Clear Access Clear Waters Charter
In November 2018, British Canoeing launched its Clear Access Clear Waters Charter (CACW), which sets out a vision for greater public access to our waterways alongside a commitment to protect and enhance our natural environment.
Our sustainability strategy builds on the work of the CACW charter by committing to be an organisation with established sustainability principles, reduce our impact on the natural environment and leading the paddling community towards a brighter healthier future for people and nature.
Environment and Sustainability Advisory Panel (ESAP)
In February 2021 British Canoeing established the Environment and Sustainability Advisory Panel (ESAP) an important element of our organisations commitment to protecting the places we paddle.
The purpose of the group is to support the development, monitoring and promotion of British Canoeing's policy relating to Sustainability.
The ESAP reports to the board and has the following functions:
- Influence how we embed sustainability within our strategic plan ‘Stronger Together 2022-25'.
- Support the creation of the Sustainability Strategy for British Canoeing including a clear set of objectives outlining our actions to reduce our impact on the environment.
- Review, monitor and feedback on the effectiveness and efficiency of British Canoeing's Sustainability work, on behalf of the wider membership.
- Assist in embedding sustainability in our work across membership, RDTs, Discipline Committees and other British Canoeing committees.
- Assist in raising the profile of British Canoeing's work on sustainability with key stakeholders and the paddling community.
Panel Members
Lauren Collier
Position: Chair
Lauren works in HR in the hospitality industry, where she leads on the wellbeing strategy and owns projects within the sustainability strategy. When not working, she can usually be found exploring waterways around the country on her paddleboard. She credits her passion for the environment, and sustainability, to time spent on the water and believes that a greener, more sustainable future is possible if businesses, individuals and government all play their part.
Susan Hicks
Position: Staff Member
Susan has worked for British Canoeing for 14 years and holds the post of Finance Director, she is Chair of the advisory panel and provides a link between the staff working group, the senior management team and the board to ensure that the work of the advisory panel is a key theme within the British Canoeing strategy and becomes embedded into the day to day operations.
Etienne Stott
Position: Independent Member
Etienne is an Olympic Gold medalist and environmental campaigner. He loves the paddlesport community, with all its individuality, diversity and energy. Etienne is also a proud member of Extinction Rebellion and believes that peaceful protest for immediate action to tackle the climate and ecological emergency is necessary and justified. He is also a founder member of Champions For Earth, an organisation which supports and empowers athletes to speak out to save the planet.
Chantelle Grundy
Position: Staff Member
Chantelle works on the Clear Access Clear Waters campaign for Paddle UK, leading on a range of environmental projects in the field of water quality; plastic pollution; access and volunteer engagement. Before her time at Paddle UK Chantelle worked at Lincolnshire County Council, managing and promoting a diverse programme of sustainable transport projects including working with businesses, schools, transport providers and key stakeholders.
Tony Hanson
Position: Independent Member
Tony has been involved in general, facilities and environment management in leisure and estates since 1985, with 6 years as Environment and Sustainability Director at The Facilities Management Group. In 2009 Tony set up Environmental Solutions International Ltd, an environmental consultancy working with the leisure, estates & commercial property sectors, specialising in resource efficiency, compliance, and the achievement net zero and beyond. Tony, is a Certified Member of Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management (CIWFM), a Practitioner Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (PIEMA) and an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (AMICE).
Kathryn Jacques
Position: Independent Member
Kathryn is currently studying for a Masters degree having recently worked in training management. Prior to this she spent 11 years working as an Environmental Manager, specialising in company environmental management systems/ strategies and railway energy efficiency. Outside of work she's a keen hill walker and recreational paddler of canoes, kayaks and boards, and has coached paddlesport for Scouts and Sea Cadets.