Abbeycroft shows how behaviour change is turning sustainability ambitions into action
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One year on, leisure trust reports progress on decarbonisation, staff engagement and carbon reduction
A Suffolk-based leisure trust is demonstrating how long-term sustainability success depends as much on people as technology.
In a new customer spotlight interview with TEAM Energy, Tyler Coulson, Environmental Manager at Abbeycroft, explains how the not-for-profit charity is building on its sustainability programme through energy efficiency projects, staff engagement initiatives and behaviour change programmes across its 12 leisure centres in West Suffolk and Babergh.
Since first sharing its sustainability journey with TEAM Energy, Abbeycroft has continued to invest in projects designed to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and waste, while supporting the long-term viability of community leisure services.
Among its latest initiatives are the installation of destratification fans at its Newmarket centre to improve heating efficiency in pool halls and a major decarbonisation programme that has seen air source heat pumps installed at Bury St Edmunds, with a similar project planned for Haverhill. Once complete, both sites are expected to operate without gas, representing a significant milestone in Abbeycroft's carbon reduction strategy.
Alongside energy-saving projects, Abbeycroft has introduced refillable water stations to reduce single-use plastics and launched a partnership with Leisure Loop to recycle end-of-life swimming equipment into new products and construction materials.
However, Abbeycroft believes some of its most significant progress has come through changing behaviours and building sustainability awareness across the organisation.
Environmental champions have been established across sites, colleagues are participating in carbon literacy training, and sustainability considerations are becoming embedded in day-to-day decision making. The organisation says this growing engagement is helping to create a culture where environmental responsibility is shared across teams rather than driven by a small group of specialists.
Sam Arje, Senior Energy Consultant at TEAM Energy, said:
"Many organisations focus on technology when tackling carbon emissions, but Abbeycroft's experience shows that lasting progress happens when people are fully engaged in the journey. Their combination of strategic investment, staff empowerment and partnership working demonstrates how sustainability can become part of everyday operations while continuing to deliver value for communities."
Funding and collaboration have also played a critical role in Abbeycroft's progress. Working closely with West Suffolk Council and Babergh District Council has enabled the organisation to identify opportunities, secure investment and deliver projects that might otherwise have been difficult to achieve.
Tyler Coulson, Environmental Manager at Abbeycroft, said:
"What started as a programme focused on reducing energy consumption has evolved into something much broader. We've seen genuine behavioural change across the organisation, with colleagues becoming more engaged in sustainability and taking an active role in helping us achieve our environmental goals. By combining investment in technology with education, collaboration and continuous improvement, we're creating a culture where sustainability becomes part of everything we do."
Looking ahead, Abbeycroft plans to continue exploring new technologies, improving the quality of operational data, strengthening partnerships and increasing community engagement to support its long-term carbon reduction ambitions.
The case study demonstrates how organisations can use sustainability projects not only to cut emissions and reduce operating costs, but also to engage employees, strengthen partnerships and deliver wider social value.
Read Abbeycroft’s full interview
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Editors notes
About TEAM
TEAM is an energy and sustainability consultancy. It helps organisations with large energy estates reduce consumption and carbon emissions to save money and meet commercial and compliance targets on their journey to net zero.
Founded in 1985, it has a long history of helping customers navigate changing definitions and certification standards. TEAM Energy is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), with employees having a direct stake in its customers’ success.
About Abbeycroft
Abbeycroft is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity with an annual turnover of £11 million. As a community-focused organisation, all surplus is reinvested into enhancing the services and initiatives it delivers.
Each year, Abbeycroft generates £7.8 million in Social Value across West Suffolk wards alone, reflecting its commitment to creating positive, measurable impact. As a trusted partner within the wider Suffolk system, Abbeycroft works collaboratively to complement existing public services and support the region’s health and wellbeing priorities.
Managing twelve facilities on behalf of West Suffolk Council and Babergh District Council, Abbeycroft has a local presence in ten communities across Suffolk. Its work is rooted in developing and sustaining programmes that promote healthier, more active lives for everyone in the community.
Website: abbeycroft.org.uk
