The BBC Green Sport Awards 2025 celebrated some of the most inspiring names in sports who are driving change beyond the field, using their platforms to protect the planet and promote sustainability. The awards, now in their fourth year, were held at BBC Broadcasting House in London and hosted by former sprinter Jeanette Kwakye.
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, praised the winners, saying, “It’s fantastic to celebrate the game-changers pushing sport in a greener direction. Sport has the power to inspire, unite, and lead – and these awards spotlight those using that power to protect the planet.”
British Olympic open-water swimmer Hector Pardoe was named Athlete of the Year for his remarkable dedication to environmental causes. At just 24, Pardoe has gone beyond athletic excellence to raise awareness about pollution in the UK’s waterways, an issue that has personally affected him and his teammates.
In August, Pardoe became the first person to swim across the largest lakes in England, Scotland, and Wales within 24 hours. The challenge wasn’t just about endurance; it was a mission to highlight the dangers of water pollution and raise funds for Surfers Against Sewage, a campaign group fighting for cleaner seas and rivers. A self-described plant-based athlete, Pardoe is demonstrating that sustainability and high performance can coexist.
Former Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin received the Global Champion award for his long-standing commitment to sustainability in sport. Known for his outspoken advocacy for environmental issues, Bellerin has funded the planting of around 60,000 trees and is now the second-largest shareholder in Forest Green Rovers, the world’s first carbon-neutral football club.
Bellerin also co-founded a sustainable fashion brand that creates made-to-order clothing from deadstock materials, reducing textile waste. Currently playing for Real Betis, he serves as the club’s chief ambassador for its sustainability program, Forever Green, and continues to lead by example both on and off the pitch.
The Pioneer Award went to Formula E, the all-electric racing championship that has been carbon neutral since its launch in 2014. Formula E continues to push technological innovation with its pit boost feature, a 30-second, 600kW fast-charging system that increases a car’s energy by 10%. This breakthrough could revolutionize electric vehicle technology worldwide.
From the open waters to the football field and the racetrack, this year’s BBC Green Sport Awards winners remind us that sport isn’t just about competition; it’s about creating a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.
