How Can the UK Drive Sustainability in Football?

Football is the UKs most popular sport, from local grassroots clubs and community facilities to packed stadiums and international competitions. The sport attracts the most viewers of all sports and can be a powerful way to unite people across the country, but this can come at a cost.  

A study by the New Weather Institute estimated that the carbon footprint of the football industry is approximately 64-66 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and with the threat of global warming looming, and net zero targets on the horizon, it is important for clubs to prioritise sustainability in football and act now to avoid long-term environmental and economic consequences. 

Why is Sustainability in Football Important? 

Sustainability in football is becoming increasingly important, as climate change has a direct impact on football clubs and facilities, with changes to weather patterns and more instances of extreme weather making flooding a very real threat. Without significant action, 25% of English Football League Stadiums are at risk of annual flooding by 2050, leading to disruption and costly repairs.  

This challenge isn’t limited to the professional game, as we are beginning to see these unfortunate effects in grassroots football, already losing around one month of play due to facility flooding each season. 

The good news is that work to reduce football’s carbon footprint has already begun, with the Football Association issuing a statement staying they aim to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2040 and will ensure partners they work with are fully aligned with their goals and sustainability ambitions. Similarly, Sky Sports have pledged to go Net Zero by 2030, setting industry-wide expectations for sustainability in football. 

Fan attitudes to sustainability in football are shifting too, with studies showing that 72% of Gen Z football fans say they care about the environment, and 61% believe football should be more eco-friendly.   

Football clubs, stadiums and other leisure facilities with pitches have a unique opportunity to unite large numbers of people from all backgrounds, to spark conversations about sustainability and work towards a common goal – pun intended! 

It’s no surprise that the most sustainable football clubs are already starting to take great strides towards their goals, with Forest Green Rovers becoming the first carbon neutral football club, powered by 100% renewable energy, and former Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin planting 58,617 Trees in the Amazon to offset carbon emissions. 

How Can Clubs Improve Sustainability in Football? 

As the environmental impact of the sport becomes harder to ignore, clubs at every level are looking for practical ways to work on sustainability in football. From reducing energy use to rethinking travel, waste management and getting the community involved, there are many achievable steps that your club can take to become more sustainable and future-proof your facilities. 

• Installing Renewable Energy Solutions – One of the most effective ways to improve sustainability in football is by investing in renewable energy. Stadium roofs and training facility buildings are often lucky enough to get plenty of sunlight, making them ideal for solar panels, while any large open spaces surrounding pitches could provide suitable conditions for wind turbines. These installations can significantly reduce a club’s reliance on fossil fuels and lower long-term energy costs. 

• Get involved in community projects – Community projects are another great way for clubs, especially youth and local teams, to boost sustainability in football whilst strengthening relationships, helping players to bond and raising your club’s profile. Activities such as litter picking, planting gardens, or supporting local green initiatives are great low-cost ways to benefit the environment as well as potentially attract new fans, volunteers, and funding opportunities. 

• Remove single-use plastic from venues – Eliminating single-use plastic is an easy win for sustainability in football. Items such as bottled water, plastic cutlery, straws, cups and food containers can be easily swapped for reusable or compostable alternatives. 

Clubs can also offer incentives for fans who bring their own bottles or cups, such as discounts on food and drinks. It also offers an opportunity to generate some extra revenue by selling reusable cups and bottles with your club’s branding. 

These are small changes that can have a big impact, especially on busy match days, with figures estimating that the average football match produces around 0.8kg of rubbish per person. 

• Improving Sustainable Travel for Fans – Travel is one of the biggest contributors to the football industry’s scope 3 emissions, so offering greener options for fans travelling to and from games is great step toward lowering your carbon footprint. 

Clubs can provide shuttle buses to reduce congestion, install EV charging points to encourage electric vehicles, or offer incentives for fans who travel by bike, foot, or public transport. These actions not only cut emissions but also reduce traffic on the roads, making matchdays less stressful. 

• Implement Simple Energy-Saving Measures – Basic energy-saving measures play a significant role in sustainability in football. Simple changes such as switching to LED lighting, installing motion sensors in low-traffic areas, and keeping up with regular maintenance all help reduce energy waste. These changes are cost-effective and can add up to make a big difference. 

• Switch to Sustainable Sourcing – Sourcing more sustainable products, such as kits, equipment, and food can significantly reduce a club’s environmental impact. This starts with reviewing your existing suppliers to ensure they have clear sustainability initiatives in place, such as reduced packaging, ethical manufacturing standards, or their own net-zero commitments. 

Where possible, partnering with local suppliers can further cut emissions by reducing transportation distances and supporting the local economy at the same time. 

Food sourcing is another area where clubs can make a difference. By selecting local food vendors for matchday catering, you can reduce the emissions produced in transit. 

Plant-based options also typically have a lower environmental impact than meat-based options, so re-thinking your menu to include more of these options will help meet growing demand for healthier and more eco-friendly matchday meals. 

• Nurture green spaces – Sustainability in football isn’t just about cutting your emissions, it also includes offsetting carbon and promoting biodiversity. Planting trees, hedges, and wildflowers around pitches and training grounds is a simple way to provide habitats for wildlife, improve air quality, and create more pleasant environments for players, staff, and supporters alike. 

• Consider your water use – As well as reducing your water usage with things like low-flow taps and dual flushes in toilets, you could also consider rainwater harvesting and recycling systems. Football facilities have a great opportunity to boost sustainability whilst reducing their reliance on mains water by collecting rainwater and using it for things such as toilet flushing and watering pitches in drier months.  

• Using Eco-Friendly Building Materials and pitch maintenance methods –  
  When building new facilities or refurbishing existing ones, opting for eco-friendly materials can improve long-term sustainability in football. Sustainable timber, recycled materials, and low-carbon concrete alternatives help reduce construction emissions whilst creating durable, energy-efficient spaces that meet future environmental standards. 

You should also be mindful of the methods you use to take care of your pitch, opting for organic fertilisers instead of harsh synthetic chemicals that can harm wildlife and pollute water. Organic alternatives help maintain healthy soil, promote natural biodiversity, and reduce the risk of chemical runoff. This is an especially important consideration for clubs located near rivers, parks, or residential areas. 

How Can Ennovus Help Your Football Club Foster Sustainability? 

At Ennovus, we work with leisure facilities and sports clubs to find sustainable solutions that work for them. From planning and feasibility studies to installation and management of high quality on-site renewable energy infrastructure, we can help you nurture sustainability in football and future-proof your facilities for football fans of the future. 

We offer a number of commercial energy audits designed to act as a ‘health check’ for your organisation, assessing all areas of energy consumption and creating a list of actionable steps you can take to curb your energy consumption. 

Ennovus can also design and install renewable energy infrastructure including wind turbines and solar panels for roofs, ground, and carports, helping you find the solution that best suits your facility’s needs and lets your club harness clean energy and significantly lower electricity bills. 

For clubs looking to take a strategic approach to sustainability in football, we can work with our sister company, Consultus Sustainability, to create bespoke Net Zero strategies tailored to your club’s needs and long-term goals. We will assess your current emissions, identify opportunities for reduction, and help you implement a clear plan of action to guide you through each step of your Net Zero journey.