News article
Scottish Gas to promote sustainable efforts through Scottish Rugby partnership
Scottish Rugby has struck a partnership with Scottish Gas that will focus on helping the rugby community to reduce its carbon footprint.
The partnership will see more than 130 clubs in all five playing regions of Scotland join forces to help reduce energy consumption by over 50%. It is hoped that the initiative will act as a catalyst for the transition to a zero-emissions approach.
A central point of the five-year partnership is a £2m joint investment in the Club & Community Net Zero Fund. Clubs will receive free tailored energy efficiency advice and access grants from the fund to help cover the cost of improvements. Scottish Gas will use Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby, as a leading example by providing expert support and advice.
Scottish Gas will also be the 67,000-capacity stadium’s naming-rights partner. The company will provide a decarbonisation plan and greener energy supply for the entire Murrayfield Estate from solar, wind, hydro power and biogas.
Further aspects of the deal will see Scottish Gas support all areas of the game, including the women’s game through the shirt sponsorship of the Scotland women’s team.
“This deal is therefore important in both a sporting and societal context."
Hive, a smart energy platform which is also owned by Centrica, will additionally become a naming-rights partner for Edinburgh Rugby’s home, where Scotland Women also play domestic fixtures.
“By partnering with Scottish Rugby, we are supporting communities across Scotland to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills, supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero ambitions,” said Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica.
“Our Club and Community Net Zero Fund gives clubs a much-needed boost, making rugby greener as a sport and freeing up more resources to develop the grass roots game. We are particularly excited about our partnership with Scotland Women.”
Scottish Rugby CEO Mark Dodson added: “Scottish Rugby is starting out on an important journey towards becoming even more energy efficient and is ready to take on its responsibility and play its part in the country’s transition to a lower-carbon future.
“This deal is therefore important in both a sporting and societal context. Unquestionably, it helps to future proof rugby in Scotland for the next generation through significant investment and also the contribution and impact Scottish Gas will be having within our community clubs. Our vision, at the time of cost-of-living challenges for clubs and households, is to provide meaningful support and funding to clubs and communities throughout Scotland.”
Dodson concluded: “This partnership with Scottish Gas will help accelerate our ESG strategy and implementation as we work to fulfil our ultimate ambition: to become a leading global rugby union in the path towards sustainability. We are looking forward to working with Scottish Gas and welcoming them into our family of principal partners, alongside BT, Macron and Peter Vardy.”
Image: Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group