#GameZero: Premier League giants score goals for the environment

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are using the power of sport to promote a zero carbon future    

In a bid to encourage fans to reduce their carbon footprint and make more climate-friendly choices, two major English football clubs have taken part in what’s been billed the world’s first elite net zero carbon football game. 

Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea clashed in the London derby on Sunday, in a match branded #GameZero.

Tottenham partnered with broadcaster Sky to organise a net zero carbon game, by reducing direct emissions and offsetting the remainder through natural projects that eliminate emissions from the atmosphere. 

The game was supported by the UK government, which is hosting the UN’s Climate Change Conference COP26 in November.

To achieve net zero, Tottenham and Sky worked to cut down emissions from matchday activities.

For instance, the players travelled to the match on a bus running on renewable biofuel to limit the number of cars on the road, while drinking water for the players was in eco-friendly cartons rather than plastic bottles.

Fans were also encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint on the day. 

A free matchday shuttle bus and a net zero carbon regional coach service was available for the public, while all food served inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was locally and sustainably sourced.

The club also has a “zero to landfill” waste management program, with plenty of recycling bins around the stadium and a reusable beer cup scheme in place.

To offset remaining emissions, Sky is working with carbon market specialist Natural Capital Partners to support community reforestation in East Africa and create new UK native woodlands. 

Trees will also be planted by Sky and Tottenham near the stadium later this year.                                                                  

Tottenham was recently named the Premier League’s greenest club by a UN-backed Sport Positive Summit study, and club chairman Daniel Levy said #GameZero was about living up to this reputation.

“As the Premier League’s greenest club, Tottenham Hotspur is passionate about our planet – we look forward to showcasing our wide range of sustainable measures that are already in place and encouraging our fans to take simple actions that can make a huge difference,” Levy said. 

Jonathan Licht, the managing director of Sky Sports, said he hoped the game would inspire football fans to live more environmentally friendly.

“We’re proud to be working with COP26 and Tottenham Hotspur to make #GameZero the world’s first net zero carbon football match at the elite level,” Licht said.

“We hope that by using the power of sport, we can inspire and support football fans to make simple changes to reduce their carbon footprint and make more climate-friendly choices.”   

Chelsea won the London derby clash 3-0.