Minimising the Impact: Orienteering's Environmental Approach
This page explains to landowners the actions taken by British Orienteering and Clubs to limit the environmental impact of the sport.
Orienteering is designed to be a low impact sport, and British Orienteering’s Sustainability Guide for Clubs gives guidance on how to promote environmentally responsible practices at events and within club operations.
How is Orienteering low impact?
- No permanent structures are required for events
- No digging or alteration of the land takes place
- Clubs are responsible for a sweep of the event site to ensure no litter is left behind
- Events avoid sensitive habitats and are respectful of seasonal restrictions (for example: nesting areas, SSSIs)
- Participants take varied routes to controls, which minimises footfall across land and limits the impact of activity
Current British Orienteering Policies
British Orienteering's Environmental Policy
Clubs must follow British Orienteering’s Environmental Policy. This policy gives guidance to organisers and competitors on environmental considerations for when organising an event.
British Orienteering's Environmental Policy
British Orienteering's Club Sustainability Guide
This guide informs clubs of practical advice on promoting sustainability across orienteering. Including actions to reduce the carbon footprint of participants and how to ensure waste is correctly disposed of and not left at an event site.
British Orienteering's Club Sustainability Guide
Habitat Report
Ecology Resources released a report in 2024 which investigates the environmental impact of the orienteering. The report was created for an event which took place in April 2023, where approximately 2400 people competed. Read the reports findings on the button below.