Sustainability: A challenge for football

Football not only has the power, but also the responsibility, to lead and influence change, to use its unique influence for good. There’s a great opportunity for collaboration on sustainability initiatives between clubs, governing bodies and football supporters.

Can football really consider itself at the forefront of the green agenda if it allows games to be broadcast at time when it is impossible for match-going fans to use public transport? The inevitable consequence of putting broadcasters before fans is more car journeys. Change is needed.

Is it really necessary for clubs to replace their kit every season? Considering the popularity of replica shirts the level of waste is staggering. Why can’t clubs keep their kits for two or even three seasons?

We’d like to see clubs publish a sustainability policy, nominate a director to lead that, publish CO2 emissions, commit to external benchmarking and publish Net Zero Carbon targets. This entails the involvement of both the Club and LS185 as operators of the London Stadium.

Compared to other clubs, West Ham United are not doing very well - we are 15th in the league table of Premier League clubs in the Sport Positive Leagues 2021 Premier League Environmental Sustainability table published on 2nd February 2022.

The past few years have seen some improvements in how the Club and London Stadium manage their resources and waste. Plastic straws have been replaced with paper ones, fully compostable Vegeware cutlery has replaced plastic cutlery, wooden stirrers have replaced plastic stirrers and nine water fountains have been installed across London Stadium to encourage refill.
Various initiatives have been set up to reduce other single-use plastic, including all draught beer served across general admission areas at the venue in reusable plastic cups

The Club are also backing the Sky Ocean Rescue Campaign. The campaign is aiming to raise awareness of the negative environmental impacts of plastic waste and inspiring football fans to ‘Pass on Plastic’.

The West Ham United Foundation is working on a number of community initiatives to reducing our environmental impact and through their efforts they educate, empower and engage supporters, individuals and communities to do so too.

If football doesn’t do its bit to challenge the climate emergency then there us a real risk that, by 2050, 23 of the 92 league clubs can expect partial or total annual flooding. It is in football best interests to act now.

Motion proposed at the FSA’s AGM on November 2021

The FSA recognise the wider climate emergency and the concern of supporters regarding the environmental impact of professional sport.
Football clubs have the influence to be a force for change by making a positive impact on their own direct CO2 emissions but also through promoting behavioural change amongst match going supporters.
However, many clubs do not have a published sustainability policy and are still not publicly reporting on their environmental impact with associated data.
This AGM resolves to engage directly with the FA, Premier and Football League with the aim to campaign for all clubs to develop, and publish, a sustainability policy. This policy should include a plan for achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions in line with, or ahead, of UK Government policy.
We also call for all clubs to participate in independent external sustainability benchmarking by the commencement of season 2022/23.