Premier League clubs advance environmental sustainability efforts

Some 20 clubs play in the top flight of English football, and the report was compiled using information received directly from all teams on their environmental sustainability activities.

The latest report has revealed that three clubs have had their environment or sustainability efforts accredited, while five clubs are currently signatories to UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Sports for Climate Action. These are Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Six clubs have net-zero targets, as well as onsite clean energy generation at their stadium, academy or training ground. Thirteen clubs, including Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and more have electricity provided from 100% renewable resources.

The six clubs that have net-zero targets in place are Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Seven clubs have sustainable transport policies in place, while eight clubs have brand identities for their environmental efforts, plans and initiatives. Eight clubs have previously undertaken fan travel surveys and published the results including Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham and more.

Nine clubs have rainwater or groundwater reuse systems in place, while 15 teams have building management systems at their stadiums to ensure efficiency of resources.

Sixteen of the 20 clubs have 100% diversion of waste from landfill, with further stringent recycling targets. All 20 teams serve vegan food options on their concourses.

Sport Positive Leagues previously released information on clubs’ environmental efforts in a table format, with points attributed to levels of activity. However, for its fifth year, it was decided to release the information as a report to encourage the sharing of trends, ideas and key information around sustainability.

The report follows the Premier League announcing its Environmental Sustainability Commitment earlier this year. It requires each club to develop a robust environmental sustainability policy by the end of the 2024-25 season.

The report does show, however, that all 20 current clubs have some form of sustainability policy, commitment, strategy or statement in place. The Premier League’s commitment will require teams to develop a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dataset, including scope 1,2 and 3, by the end of the 2025-25 season. Six clubs already have this dataset and currently publish their GHG emissions, while one has this information but does not make it public.

An additional five clubs said they were in the process of calculating or reviewing their GHG emissions.

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