Redditch United become second carbon-neutral club in world

Redditch United makes history with carbon-neutral status <i>(Image: Redditch United Football Club)</i>
Redditch United makes history with carbon-neutral status (Image: Redditch United Football Club)
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A FOOTBALL club has announced that it has officially achieved a carbon-neutral status.

Redditch United Football Club is believed to be the second football club in the world to reach this landmark environmental achievement after Forest Green Rovers.

Being carbon-neutral means Redditch United has reduced its carbon emissions wherever possible and balanced the remaining emissions through certified environmental measures, enabling the club to achieve complete carbon neutrality.

David Faulkner, chairman of Redditch United, said: “We are incredibly proud to become what we believe is the world’s second carbon-neutral football club.

“This achievement reflects our belief that football clubs - at every level - have a responsibility to lead by example.

“Sustainability is now a core part of our identity, and our partnership with Neutral Carbon Zone ensures that our actions are transparent, credible and independently verified.”

The club partnered with Neutral Carbon Zone (NCZ) to complete a comprehensive NCZ gold certification emissions assessment, covering all operational and organisational activities for the 2023–24 reporting period.

This looked at everything the club does as an organisation - from daily operations to wider activities.

The independently validated NCZ gold carbon footprint report confirmed that the club produced 208.58 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) during the year.

This total includes all types of emissions, known as Scope 1, 2, and 3, which cover direct energy use, purchased energy, and indirect emissions such as travel and supply chains.

Most of the club’s emissions came from purchased goods and services, which accounted for 87.80% of the total.

Commuting and homeworking by staff made up a further 7.25%.

All of these emissions have now been fully balanced through certified carbon-offsetting projects, meaning the club has achieved carbon neutrality.

Alan Stenson, CEO at Neutral Carbon Zone, added: “The club’s emissions profile demonstrates that the biggest opportunities for long-term reductions lie within supply-chain engagement and procurement strategy.

“By completing a full Scope 3 assessment - something many organisations avoid due to its complexity - Redditch United have taken one of the most rigorous approaches possible.

“Their commitment to ongoing data quality, transparency, and continuous improvement aligns fully with best-practice carbon management.”

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