Inspiring collective action through small steps and shared purpose. By Alexia Morgan, Belgravia Leisure’s General Manager Environment and Sustainability.
The essence of sustainability leadership
What exactly does it mean to be a sustainability leader? Sustainability leaders guide teams towards a future where every small action counts, they make mindful choices and, foster a culture of responsibility and, most importantly, inspire others to do the same.
At Belgravia Leisure, we are working hard on our commitment to weaving sustainability into our daily operations.
As someone deeply passionate about sustainability, I see my role as both a guide and a collaborator. I’m here to champion the adoption of sustainable practices by empowering and supporting our venue managers. My commitment lies in making sustainability accessible and practical for every member of our team. I enjoy telling the sustainability story, getting people on board with the change and hearing their stories of success. I also strive to lead by example and foster a sense of shared purpose, so I’m pleased to share the following steps for YOU to join me in becoming a sustainability leader.
The power of thinking big small
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges facing us. However, sustainability is achieved not by a single leap, but through countless small decisions made every day. A light switched off after hours. A leaky tap repaired before it wastes hundreds of litres. A recycling bin placed in the right spot. Each step might seem minor in isolation, but together, their impact is profound. Our journey towards sustainability is built on these small, consistent actions that, over time, accumulate into meaningful results. Remember: the power of incremental change is undeniable. Small steps, big impact.
Collective effort: Sustainability as a team sport
No one achieves sustainability alone. It takes the creativity, dedication and collaboration of an entire team to make a difference. Every team member – regardless of their role – contributes to collective success. When we share ideas and motivate one another, we multiply our positive impact. At Belgravia Leisure, we celebrate each small step and encourage everyone to take ownership of our environmental footprint. Your enthusiasm can be contagious: spark a conversation, share a tip and inspire your colleagues.
Think in $$$: Save money while saving the planet
Sustainability isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for our bottom line.
Simple measures like improving energy efficiency and reducing waste can translate into real cost savings. Upgrading to LED lighting, optimising heating and cooling systems and minimising water wastage all lead to lower utility bills. Additionally, reducing single-use plastics and managing recycling lessens our environmental impact and cuts disposal costs.
Tracking and metrics: measuring what matters
“To manage it, you must measure it” – this old saying rings especially true in sustainability. That’s why I encourage every Belgravia Leisure manager to actively track gas, water and electricity usage at their venues.
Two key metrics can help:
- Energy Use Intensity (EUI), which measures energy use per square metre.
- Water Use per Visitation (WU per visitation), which reveals how efficiently we’re using water relative to patron numbers.
By monitoring these figures, we can spot trends, identify areas for improvement and celebrate our progress along the way.
Benchmark and share your success
Once we start tracking these metrics, it’s time to take the next step – benchmarking. Here at Belgravia Leisure, by comparing EUI and WU per visitation across our different venues, we can highlight standout performers and uncover best practices. Has one site dramatically reduced its energy use? What did they change? Sharing these success stories helps all of us replicate what works and avoid reinventing the wheel. Collaboration and open communication mean we all move forward, faster.
Let’s make a difference, together
To reinforce the value of our collective action, I’m reminded of the words of Clarissa Pinkola Estes: “Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.” Each of us can mend our own patch, one step, one improvement, one conversation at a time. When our efforts are combined, they become a powerful force for good.
I urge every leader out there – at Belgravia Leisure and beyond: start today. If it helps, appoint a representative at your organisation who can help track your resource usage, explore your EUI and WU per visitation and share your results. At Belgravia Leisure, all this is done through the Green Team Teams channel where colleagues connect, swap ideas and celebrate wins – big and small. By working together and committing to continuous improvement, we will save valuable resources and create a legacy of sustainability for our communities.
Whether you manage a bustling aquatic venue or a tranquil holiday park, you play an essential role in shaping a greener, more resilient organisation.
Let’s lead the way, step by step, towards a brighter, greener future.
Learn more about our 2025–2030 Sustainability Plan and environmental sustainability.
- Explore Belgravia Leisure’s career opportunities.
- Learn more about Belgravia Leisure’s people.
