Sports Clubs should aim to hit green energy goals

Sports clubs should follow the example of Forest Green Rovers Football Club who were rewarded by the United Nations this month for hitting their green energy goals.

That’s the view of Midlands energy expert Ron Fox after the Division Two side, which became the first football club in the world to go carbon neutral at the start of the season, won the Momentum for Change climate action award.

They were one of 15 winners presented with the honour in New York by Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary, at the UN Climate Week NYC, which is one of the key world environment summits. Now the football club will travel to the next UN conference – COP24 – in Katowice, Poland, in December this year.

“Forest Green Rovers have set an incredible example to all the bigger Football League club and local sporting teams on how to take advantage of technology to tackle climate change,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park (www.noreus.co.uk).

His views were echoed by Rovers chairman, Dale Vince, who said: “We’re pretty chuffed to have this recognition from the United Nations for our work in promoting sustainability through sport.

“We’ve created a new kind of football club and a new kind of fan, people who are fans of football and the environment.”

He said Rovers, known as the Green Devils, now had supporter clubs in more than 20 different countries.

The chairman, who was one of the five speakers at the New York event, told delegates of the club’s unique approach to helping save the planet by installing an organic pitch, electric car chargers, low energy floodlights, solar panels, using a solar powered robot lawnmower, having a fully vegan menu, plus making a wild flower meadow by the ground.

Now the club, who are based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, are planning to build the world’s first modern-age wooden soccer stadium.

Dale Vince was supported by Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of UN Climate Change, who said: “These activities are proof that climate action isn’t only possible, it’s innovative, it’s exciting and it makes a difference.”

Ron added: “I am really impressed by all that Forest Green Rovers are doing to cut their global footprint and I hope other clubs and sporting teams will follow their example as a matter of urgency.”

But he said home owners could also follow the Rovers’ example and go green by putting solar panels on their roof.

“Rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert free energy from the sun into electricity for the home and once the cost of installation is recovered, it can ultimately result in complete self-sufficiency.”

He added: “Another benefit is that any surplus energy can be sold back to the Grid, giving residents a double advantage of money back and cheaper energy bills.”

For more advice on green matters such as solar power contact Ron on 01782 756995.