how green are our football clubs

[Wile E Coyote]

Extinction Rebellion protests, flooding and wildfires mean environmental issues, climate change and sustainability are right at the top of the world's news agenda.

But what are England's leading football clubs - among the country's most globally recognised brands - doing to help the environment?

BBC Sport has worked with the United Nations-backed Sport Positive Summit, which will host its first conference in 2020, to compile research into the sustainability of all 20 Premier League clubs.

They were asked to provide evidence of schemes in eight categories:

clean energy
energy efficiency
sustainable transport
single-use plastic reduction or removal
waste management
water efficiency
plant-based or low-carbon food options
communications or engagement
The clubs were awarded one point per category if they had suitable initiatives taking place in their stadiums, training grounds and/or offices and half a point if plans were being developed in that area but were yet to fully materialise.

BBC Sport graphic
What does the table show?
Above is a simplified version of the full table - available here - which breaks down every club's score in each category, and highlights their specific schemes and initiatives.

This is the first time all of this information has been made public in one place, and Sport Positive Summit's research is designed as an introductory and accessible resource.

The table will be updated when clubs introduce new schemes or develop existing ones, and Sport Positive Summit sees it as a tool to encourage more action and transparency on sustainability.

Its CEO, Claire Poole, said: "Our ambition by publishing this information is to educate and engage, both football and industry professionals about what top-flight clubs are doing to reduce their environmental impact, and for interested fans to easily access what their club is doing.

"We are all on a journey when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment, and we hope more awareness about these initiatives will help drive increased ambition across football and other sports."

we appear to be about 4th in the prem, although the table hasnt appeared here for some reason.
seems odd to refer to green issues when each week hundreds of thousands of supporters make individual trips to and from grounds in cars, trains, planes and buses .

[martin_p]

Did Norwich get extra points for their shorts?

[NottsClaret]

We'll score highly for not heating the water.

[Wile E Coyote]

BBC mentioned that our players car share, but its not really relevant is it.

[Bosscat]

By over charging for Twix ... Its less impact on our carbon footprint ... as we dont have as many deliveries....

[Bosscat]

BBC mentioned that our players car share, but its not really relevant is it.

So thats what Peter Kaye is doing now hmmmm

[conyoviejo]

Very green when it comes to the transfer window..

[tim_noone]

Very green when it comes to the transfer window..

Not as green and cabbage looking as west ham.

[Quickenthetempo]

Funny you should mention this.

I was looking round for a recycle bin to put my plastic bottle on Saturday, but I don't think we have any.

I didn't want to put it in the bin so left it on a shelf next to it, letting the cleaner make the decision.

Maybe the firm that takes the rubbish away goes through it and takes all recyclable material out?

[claretblue]

Maybe the firm that takes the rubbish away goes through it and takes all recyclable material out?

doubt that Quicken...I take mine home and recycle!

[Quickenthetempo]

doubt that Quicken...I take mine home and recycle!

I don't generally go straight home though.

Something must be in place for 1000s of plastic bottles?

[Chester Perry]

The real detail is here

https://www.sportpositivesummit.com/epl ... ity-table/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[houseboy]

I think football clubs are greener than most businesses (I hate that term for clubs). They have a great big chunk of it in the middle of their premises.

[Dyched]

I saw that Carlsberg unveiled the paper beer bottle recently. Maybe these will be used sooner rather than later.

[LeadBelly]

The non-green thing that really irks me at big sporting occasions are those flame thrower things. Over the last 10 years they've become quite common at footy, rugby and cricket (sometimes after every 6 in the short game). You can feel the heat off them from many yards away- must waste a load of fuel and pollute the atmosphere.
As per with goal-music: established as something that "has to be done" to crank up the atmosphere but probably not really liked my many spectators (maybe even a majority).
Using those things at an event seeking green credentials seems crazy.

[dougcollins]

Funny you should mention this.

I was looking round for a recycle bin to put my plastic bottle on Saturday, but I don't think we have any.

I didn't want to put it in the bin so left it on a shelf next to it, letting the cleaner make the decision.

Maybe the firm that takes the rubbish away goes through it and takes all recyclable material out?

I reckon it would all be classed as 'contaminated' so no, that doesn't happen.

[Quickenthetempo]

I reckon it would all be classed as 'contaminated' so no, that doesn't happen.

Then it needs addressing.

[chekhov]

I’ve got a good idea. Hold European Championships in one country to minimise travel between between stadiums for players and fans.
Another one: hold European club finals local to the participating teams.

[Cirrus_Minor]

There used to be some horrendous green growth hanging in festoons from the walls of the gentleman’s toilet behind the old Longside.

[bfcjg]

Blackburn fans very green, they ditched cars to get to Ewood by horse power..........thats what they'd like us to believe

[Hipper]

I think football clubs are greener than most businesses (I hate that term for clubs). They have a great big chunk of it in the middle of their premises.

That's probably one of least 'green' parts of the club - there is a need to control weeds, pests, diseases...… To some extent this can be done naturally but with difficulty.

I suspect we may do quite well because of Barnfield - a modern design, green roof etc..

We should be looking at Forest Green who are the trailblazers in this area.

[houseboy]

That's probably one of least 'green' parts of the club - there is a need to control weeds, pests, diseases...… To some extent this can be done naturally but with difficulty.

I suspect we may do quite well because of Barnfield - a modern design, green roof etc..

We should be looking at Forest Green who are the trailblazers in this area.

They are one of the few clubs who have a better percentage of crowd to population than us as well. About 2.5k average in a village with a population of less than 6k.

Me and my beloved were at Gawthorpe with the dog at weekend. Pretty impressive innit.

[Bosscat]

They are one of the few clubs who have a better percentage of crowd to population than us as well. About 2.5k average in a village with a population of less than 6k.

Me and my beloved were at Gawthorpe with the dog at weekend. Pretty impressive innit.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50317760" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nil_desperandum]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50317760

Just looked at the detailed analysis.
How unsurprising that our area of weakness with a score of zero is "Communication and engagement".
That's a really easy bit and costs next to nothing.

X No sustainability or environment page on website, no news and very little coverage on third party websites

If someone had done their job properly we'd be in joint 2nd place!

[jrgbfc]

I'd be amazed if all the plastic bottles and pint cups from half time got properly recycled. So much waste just there every home game.

[Devils_Advocate]

Dyche did everything he could the other year to reduce our carbon footprint by getting us out of Europe as quickly as possible

[Pstotto]

Re-think UEFA to three geographical regions

1. Western Europe
2. Eastern Europe
3. Eurasia (who shouldn't be in UEFA anyway).

Carbon footprint of Europa League and Champions League could be reduced via this method.

Sorry folks, no more Istanbul shenanigans.

[mapinchina]

I live in Wuhan, China.
Outside the apartment block there are 4, somtimes 5 large recycle bins. In additiondome old prople knock on my door asking for any waste materials.
The difference is that peoplr get paid for recycling, especialy metal, cardboard and plastic.

[conyoviejo]

Dyche did everything he could the other year to reduce our carbon footprint by getting us out of Europe as quickly as possible

And all the other cups..

[IanMcL]

0.5 for plant based food. I count that as a plus point. You wouldn't want a messed up pie!

0 for communication. Our weak link exposed to the world!
Although things are generally hugely better.

(Yes I know they mean comms about environment habits)



Edit: we are selling our poppy shirts for RBL. Does that count?

[deanothedino]

I think football clubs are greener than most businesses (I hate that term for clubs). They have a great big chunk of it in the middle of their premises.

Which they help grow with artificial lighting and stop freezing with undersoil heating.

[houseboy]

Which they help grow with artificial lighting and stop freezing with undersoil heating.

But it is green. Well, I mean, it’s not blue is it. Grass IS green isn’t it? I haven’t been out for some time and I know things change but.....

[dougcollins]

Well, there's 'green' the colour and then there's 'green' the lifestyle choice. Apparently.

[claptrappers_union]

The club apparently plants a tree for every green away kit sold... but then again, we removed decent serviceable wooden seats that have been in use since 1969 and then replaced them with 2,400 plastic ones - while removing seats from JHL and dumping into landfill after just 20-odd years of wear and tear.

[IanMcL]

The club apparently plants a tree for every green away kit sold... but then again, we removed decent serviceable wooden seats that have been in use since 1969 and then replaced them with 2,400 plastic ones - while removing seats from JHL and dumping into landfill after just 20-odd years of wear and tear.

However, there are more seats, so more people. If the club is able to make everything and everyone positive, then that will represent an increase in totals!

[mikeS]

No heating in the stands and Cold water in the was basins in the Bob Lord toilets(Or sometimes no water at all) should see burnley doing well in the green issues League.

[kentonclaret]

Forest Green are very Green with only vegetarian food available to players and supporters in the designated food areas.

Vegan burgers solar panels and shirts made from bamboo all in evidence at Forest Green Rovers.

[box_of_frogs]

Forest Green are very Green with only vegetarian food available to players and supporters in the designated food areas.

Vegan burgers solar panels and shirts made from bamboo all in evidence at Forest Green Rovers.

No issues with people wanting to be vegetarian etc - the wife is that way inclined after all. But I disagree with giving vege only options. I simply wouldn’t eat there and would take my money elsewhere.

[willsclarets]

Another one: hold European club finals local to the participating teams.

Nice thought, but that would give UEFA about 3 weeks following the fulltime whistle in the second semi final to organise a venue, security, police, tickets, public transport provision etc. It is a wee bit of a squeeze. That's before the poor fans then have about a day to get their ticket and where not local, get flights and accommodation.