MCC details net zero timeline at Lord’s through new strategy
The historic Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and producing net zero emissions by 2040 as part of a new Net Zero Carbon Strategy.
Various projects across the MCC’s historic London cricket ground, Lord’s, have been outlined as part of a plan that has been developed in partnership with the Net Zero Group consultancy.
To mark the launch, a Fan Footprint Calculator was launched to coincide with last Friday’s one-day international between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, giving fans the chance to understand and reduce their impact on the environment.
There will also be a significant degasification programme at Lord’s, partly through switching the use of remaining natural gas in the operation of the venue to renewable energy sources.
“A journey to net zero carbon marks the next chapter in a long sustainability journey for MCC, and the club recognises that a lot of work will need to go into implementing it. Whilst, as a club, we have already made a lot of progress in terms of decarbonisation, this strategy is necessary and vital for us to determine an exact blueprint of the steps required to reach our net zero targets. Engaging our staff, members and supporters who visit Lord’s is an important part of that process and journey.”
Lord’s has introduced a number of sustainability measures in recent years, including operating with 100% renewable electricity since 2016, with all electricity sourced from wind power. Since 2010, Lord’s has sent zero waste to landfill.
Before then, Lord’s became the first UK sports venue to appoint a full-time sustainability manager in 2009 before publishing its inaugural sustainability policy shortly after.
In October 2022, the MCC accelerated its sustainability drive by signing up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
Image: It’s No Game – (CC BY 2.0)