How Our Stadiums Are Leading The Way In Becoming More Sustainable

With the governments target of reaching net zero by 2050 many stadiums and arenas are looking at how they are run as a facility with the issue of sustainability becoming an increasingly important consideration in the world of sports. UK stadia are making significant efforts to reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable through a number of approaches including energy efficiency, waste reduction, transportation, water conservation, food sourcing, and biodiversity. Here we explore some examples with some of the most cost-effective plans for stadium managers to consider when putting schedules of work together.

Firstly, energy efficiency measures are a key focus for UK stadia. Many stadia have implemented energy-efficient lighting systems, such as LED lighting, which consume less electricity than traditional lighting. Back in 2020 the London Stadium, home to West Ham United, installed 14,000 LED lights to replace its old lighting system, reducing energy consumption by 50% compared to its previous floodlights. The 2012 Olympics stadium is also rumoured to be wrapped in a solar membrane later this year to reduce carbon emissions. It is estimated the project will cost £4 million over the first two years but would pay for itself after five years. The stadium could then start generating energy by end of 2024, according to the stadium's owner, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).

Ashton Gate Stadium, home to Bristol City FC, installed a 4,000-panel solar system on its roof, which generates 1.1 million kWh of electricity each year, reducing the stadium’s carbon emissions by 20%, and also reducing its energy costs by £150,000 over 20 years.

Waste reduction is another area where UK stadia are taking significant steps towards sustainability. Stadia generate large amounts of waste, including food waste, plastic cups, and packaging. To tackle this issue, many stadia have implemented recycling programs and composting food waste. For example, Tottenham Hotspur's incredible stadium, which opened in 2019, has a waste management system that includes composting food waste and recycling plastic, glass, and paper. With the introduction of the single use plastic ban from October 2023 stadiums will be prohibited from selling single use plastic products, such as drinks bottles and utensils; this will include sale within hospitality settings such as stadium food and drink concessions. In a bid to incentivise consumers to recycle their drinks bottles or cans, DEFRA is also looking to introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS), which is expected to be implemented in England in 2025.

The DRS scheme is expected to see an 85% reduction in discarded drinks containers in the first three years from launch. The balance that will have to be achieved is making the deposit amount high enough to encourage a change in behaviour, but not so much that it stops people from buying drinks. Arsenal, amongst several other clubs have introduced a very successful reusable cup scheme in 2020 at The Emirates, which saved over 500,000 plastic cups going to landfill thus far.

Transportation to games is a significant source of carbon emissions, and UK stadia are encouraging fans to use public transport or carpool to reduce their environmental impact. Several stadia offer incentives for fans to use public transport, such as free shuttle buses or discounted tickets for those who arrive by train or bus. Some stadia have also installed bike racks to encourage cycling to matches. The Amex Stadium, home to Brighton & Hove Albion, has installed over 400 bike racks to encourage cycling.

Broadcasters have also become involved. Game Zero was the world’s first net zero carbon major football match, which Sky Sports highlighted to the nation when Tottenham Hotspur hosted Chelsea ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Conference in 2021. For the match to be net zero, Sky and Tottenham worked to minimise emissions from matchday activity such as energy used to power the game, travel to and from the stadium for both fans and clubs, and dietary choices at the stadium. For any emissions that couldn't be cut, Sky worked with Natural Capital Partners to restore natural carbon sinks which remove emissions from the atmosphere, by supporting a community reforestation in East Africa, and creating new UK native woodlands to support the UK’s net zero objectives.

Water conservation is another area where UK stadia are taking action towards sustainability. Stadia use a significant amount of water to irrigate their fields and for other purposes. To reduce water consumption, stadia are installing low-flow toilets and fixtures, as well as implementing rainwater harvesting systems to irrigate fields. Plymouth Argyle installed a rainwater harvesting system to their Home Park stadium in 2022 that collects rainwater from the roof and stores it in underground tanks. The purpose-designed rainwater harvesting system, sited in the Mayflower Grandstand, has a 40,000 litre capacity and will enable the club to repurpose rainwater falling on the 1km² surface area of the roof to feed the pitch irrigation system. The system will collect data on how much tap water is saved by using filtered rainwater instead.

Food sourcing is a crucial aspect of sustainability that UK stadia are taking seriously. Stadia are beginning to source their food locally, which reduces transportation emissions and supports local farmers and businesses. Arsenal’s commitment to their own environmental plan ensures the Emirates Stadium sources 70% of its food from within a 50-mile radius of the stadium. Moreover, some stadia are also reducing meat consumption and offering more plant-based options to reduce their environmental impact. Graham Mutch, Head Chef at Aberdeen Football Club, recently told Football & Stadium Management  how they are using local produce and educating customers and teams on nutritionally balanced options. He noted that across their hospitality areas they are seeing a general rise in consumers deliberately making decisions that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact and stadiums should respond by increasing the options available for more mindful food choices.

Biodiversity is also a crucial aspect of sustainability that UK stadia are addressing. Stadia are creating biodiversity plans to protect and enhance the natural environment around their facilities. This includes creating habitats for wildlife and planting native plants. For instance, Brentford Community Stadium has created a biodiversity area with wildflowers, a pond, and bird boxes to support local wildlife. Some stadia are partnering with conservation organisations to protect endangered species and their habitats. Forest Green Rovers application to make the world’s greenest stadium in Gloucestershire details the inclusion of the planting of over 500 trees and 1.8km of hedgerows to promote biodiversity.

UK stadia are definitely making significant efforts to reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable. From energy efficiency measures to waste reduction, transportation, water conservation, food sourcing, and biodiversity, stadia are implementing a wide range of sustainable practices. These actions are not only good for the environment, but they also have financial benefits, such as reduced energy and waste management costs.

Furthermore, UK stadia are not only focusing on their own sustainability but also on promoting sustainability to their fans and communities. Stadia are using their influence to raise awareness about sustainability issues and promote sustainable behaviours, such as recycling, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting local businesses. However, there is still room for improvement. For example, some stadia still rely heavily on fossil fuels for their energy needs, and many fans still choose to drive to matches rather than using public transport. Nonetheless, the progress made by UK stadia in recent years towards sustainability is encouraging and should be celebrated.

UK stadia are leading the way towards a more sustainable future in the world of sports, and their efforts can serve as an inspiration for other sports facilities and industries to follow. By implementing sustainable practices and promoting sustainable behaviours, stadia can not only reduce their environmental impact but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for all.