Leisure centres across Swansea are helping the city reduce its carbon footprint.
Popular locations such as the LC and centres at Bishopston, Cefn Hengoed, Morriston, Penlan and Penyrheol report a greatly-reduced energy use.
They are managed on behalf of Swansea Council and citizens by not-for-profit charitable trust Freedom Leisure.
They benefit from a partnership with industry leading energy-saving consultancy Leisure Energy and from significant investment in new processes and buildings equipment.
Swansea’s leisure facilities have seen a reduction in carbon emissions of almost 500 tonnes a year. This is equivalent to taking 100 cars off the road or cutting the entire energy use of an average house for almost 40 years.
The success is reflected in leisure facilities operated across the UK by Freedom as it works to reduce emissions and decrease its use of gas and electricity. The organisation is looking to boost these efforts even further.
Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We’re working to make Swansea net zero carbon by 2050 – we’re in a climate emergency and actions such as this are crucial for future generations. I’m delighted that our investment in local leisure centres and our partnership with Freedom is producing such positive results.”
Freedom Leisure chief executive officer Ivan Horsfall-Turner said: “Minimising environmental impact is a priority across our organisation. We’re committed to being socially and environmentally aware, delivering a sustainable service for local communities – the success and recognition of our projects in Swansea and elsewhere are testimony to that.”
Leisure Energy managing director Neil Bland said: “We’ve been working with Freedom for about six years, helping with their energy efficiency, sustainability and decarbonisation pledges; they’re at the forefront of carbon reduction in the leisure sector.”
