The training camp is the first multi-day sporting event anywhere in the world to achieve a silver accreditation for sustainability from the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS) and comes after EDF Energy worked with a number of organisations involved with the camp to improve the environmental impact of the camp in a number of ways, from promoting recycling facilities and low carbon transport to helping make sure local, organic and fair-trade food was available to the athletes.

The work done by EDF Energy and the BPA at the camp will now be used by CRS as a pilot to help formalise criteria for a separate, dedicated award for multi-day sports events.

"The athletes have thrown themselves into doing their bit for sustainability alongside their training," said Gareth Wynn, the London 2012 Programme Director at EDF.

"It is very rewarding for us to see our best athletes preparing not only to compete and win in their sport but also to be part of the greenest team.

"They are great role models for all of us on and off the field of play."

The camp was the second in a series of three at the University of Bath aimed at preparing the athletes hoping to be selected to ParalympicsGB for London 2012.

It saw over 240 attendees including athletes and coaches from 11 Paralympic sports such as wheelchair tennis, archery and sitting volleyball.


"I am delighted that we have achieved the silver accreditation," said BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth.

"This achievement is the result of a very successful partnership which has developed with EDF Energy and is proof that we have made real progress in our goal of making the BPA and ParalympicsGB a leading force in sustainability as well as sport.

"2012 is obviously a huge year for us and we're hoping for continued progress and success across the board, including with our efforts to become a greener team; work that will contribute to a positive legacy of sustainability for the Games."

The BPA is also EDF Energy's charity partner and since the partnership began in 2010, EDF Energy has given £300,000 ($466,200/€360,954) to support the BPA with the green team project and in its mission to use the power of London 2012 to deliver lasting change in Paralympic sport in the UK.

The company's employees have raised £150,000 ($233,100/€180,477) through their own fundraising, providing vital funds to help provide the best preparations for ParalympicsGB in London 2012 and beyond.

"I wasn't training at the camp in 2011 but I attended with EDF Energy to see the activities underway to help make the camp more sustainable," said Britain's double Paralympic swimming champion and Team EDF member Ellie Simmonds.

"I'm really passionate about helping the environment so I hope that the award of a silver accreditation from CRS will mean even more people will see what we're doing and be inspired to do their bit for a lower carbon lifestyle."

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