Oh hey there, eco-conscious investors,
In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Premier League football clubs have made notable strides, as detailed in a comprehensive report released today by Sport Positive. This report, covering thirteen categories such as energy, transport, waste, water, plastics, food, and biodiversity, along with commitments, policies, reporting, communication, education, procurement, and sponsorship, showcases both the progress achieved and the areas needing further improvement.
Among the key findings, the report highlights that three clubs have received external accreditation for their sustainability efforts, and five clubs are signatories to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action framework. Six clubs have set net zero targets and are generating clean energy on-site, demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. Furthermore, seven clubs have adopted sustainable transport policies, while nine clubs are reusing rainwater or groundwater, reflecting significant advancements in water management practices.
The report also reveals that eight clubs have developed robust environmental brand identities, and fifteen clubs have implemented building management systems designed to enhance resource efficiency. In terms of waste management, sixteen clubs have successfully diverted 100% of their waste from landfills, showcasing exemplary practices in waste reduction. Additionally, all clubs now offer vegan food options, catering to the growing demand for sustainable and ethical food choices.
This detailed analysis marks five years of benchmarking sustainability efforts in the Premier League. The latest report has transitioned from the previous league table format to a deep-dive, searchable format, allowing users to explore club-specific or category-specific information through a hyperlinked contents page. This shift aims to better disseminate and amplify the sustainability initiatives undertaken by the clubs, providing a comprehensive overview of trends and facilitating access to crucial data.
The Premier League’s recent Environmental Sustainability Commitment further underscores the importance of these efforts. This commitment mandates all clubs to develop robust sustainability policies by the 2024/25 season and to compile comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions datasets by the 2025/26 season. Currently, six clubs have published their GHG emissions data, with more clubs expected to do so in the near future.
Reflecting on the journey, Claire Poole, Founder of Sport Positive, noted the significant changes since the inception of these reports. “Six years ago, clubs didn’t have sustainability pages on their websites, and there was limited public information. Now, 16 Premier League clubs have dedicated sustainability pages, six clubs have set net zero carbon targets, and players are more visibly engaged in sustainability initiatives,” Poole remarked. She emphasized the importance of evolving the reporting format to support the global sports and climate movement, aiming to inspire more action and create a centralized source of information on club activities.
Looking ahead, Sport Positive plans to continue evolving its efforts, ensuring that football and other sports globally have access to essential information to drive increased action on climate and environmental sustainability. Feedback from the community is encouraged to enhance the usefulness of these reports.
For those interested in exploring the detailed efforts of each club, the full report is now available online. Users are encouraged to bookmark the page for future updates, as the report will be periodically revised to reflect the latest advancements and initiatives.
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