Investments That Work for Physical Activity and Climate Resilience: Insights from the ISBNPA 2025 Pre-Conference Workshop

Abstract

[From Executive Summary] The purpose of the ISBNPA 2025 pre-conference workshop was to explore how the “8 Investments that Work for Physical Activity” can be leveraged to address the intersecting challenges of physical inactivity and climate change. The workshop brought together 27 international and local researchers, practitioners, and facilitators from 10 countries. Using systems thinking and a participatory group model-building approach, the workshop generated rich insights into how key systems — healthcare, schools, and sport and recreation — can evolve to promote physical activity while contributing to climate action.

This report synthesises the findings, focusing on three priority investment areas — healthcare, whole-of-school programmes, and sport and recreation for all — and identifies both cross-cutting insights and systemic barriers. It also outlines opportunities to align physical activity promotion with climate adaptation and mitigation agendas.