The Premier League has issued its Environmental Sustainability Strategy, in which it revealed plans to become net zero by 2040.
The English top-flight football league also announced within its three priority areas, including its net zero goals, to future-proof the league by supporting decarbonisation and engaging with fans to encourage environmentally friendly programmes and platforms.
The Premier League Environmental Sustainability Strategy ultimately looks to achieve “environmental change through central operations and engagement with fans and community participants”.
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, said: “Premier League football is enjoyed by hundreds of millions of fans around the world. We have the ability to reach and influence a significant global audience, raising awareness of climate change issues and helping to inspire positive behaviour change.
“We will regularly review our programme of work, to keep our strategy up to date as our business and the wider industry continues to evolve. We know there is much work to do, but we are fully committed to this strategy.”
The publication of the Premier League Environmental Sustainability Strategy follows on from the league becoming a signatory of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2021, committing to achieving net zero emissions by 2040.
Achieving net zero for carbon emissions and greenhouse gasses is a lofty environmental goal many companies are aiming to achieve.
This lofty ambition was highlighted recently this week when Kemi Badenoch, Conservative MP, stated that it would be “impossible” for the UK government to meet its 2050 net zero target, which was established under Theresa May’s government in 2019.
However, the Premier League is trying to achieve this 10 years earlier through the collaboration of its clubs to implement a minimum standard of action on environmental issues. This will involve clubs working on their own environmental goals, as well as providing best practices on online forums.
Furthermore, education on environmental sustainability remains a focus area for the league’s work. Through the Premier League Life Skills and Personal Development Programme, academy players are able to access free sustainability sessions to enhance their understanding of climate change.
