Who is top of The Premier League Sustainability Table?

For the third year running, Sport Positive (which supports sports organisations to increase ambition and action on climate change) has released the Premier League Sustainability Table. 

Clubs are awarded points based on the following categories:

1. Policy and commitment
2. Clean energy
3. Energy efficiency 
4. Sustainable transport
5. Single-use plastic reduction or removal
6. Waste management
7. Water efficiency
8. Plant-based or low-carbon food
9. Biodiversity
10. Education
11. Communications and engagement

This year’s joint winners were Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and Liverpool FC, each securing 23 points (just 2 points shy of the maximum score of 25). 

The sustainability table is a fun way of encouraging clubs to engage in a bit inter-club competition off the pitch, and there are some great initiatives underway, including:

·      Promoting sustainable transportation for players and fans
·      Creating homes for bats and hedgehogs
·      Introducing more plant based menus
·      Recycling kits
·      Planting trees, hedges and wildflowers
·      Etc…

However, when you consider that the premier league’s global audience, rose to 3.2bn for the 2018/19 season, the greatest opportunity is with the sports power to influence it’s fan base. Claire Poole, the CEO of Sport Positive Summit, said: 

“The power of sport within the climate crisis is the platform and influence it has to drive this change,”. 

Big brands are all too aware of the influence high profile player can command and we are accustomed to seeing them advertising anything from aftershave to crisps. The opportunity to use this influence as a force for good and to accelerate action on climate change cannot be underestimated; this is why the work that Sport Positive is doing is so exciting and valuable.

Sources:
https://topmediadvertising.co.uk/football-viewing-figures/
https://www.sportpositiveleagues.com/pl-2021/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60196764