Sports pubs urged to back first net-zero carbon football match

13-Sep-2021 - Last updated on 15-Sep-2021 at 16:32 GMT

Tackling climate change: Sky will broadcast the first zet-zero carbon Premier League football match (image: Prostock-studio / Getty)

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With the growing emphasis on tackling climate change, sports-focused pubs are being urged to lend their support to the first ever net-zero carbon football match.

The Premier League event, broadcast by Sky Sports, will be between Tottenham and Chelsea on Sunday, 19 September.

The move is part of Sky’s ongoing commitment to reduce carbon emissions to help ensure the planet remains habitable for future generations.

Along with emission reductions, any remaining carbon usage is set to be offset via reforestation projects under the banner #GameZero.

Positive actions

#GameZero will educate football fans watching from pubs across the country can do to help address climate change and how they can take positive actions to reduce their own carbon footprint.

The game is supported by the UK government as hosts of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, and is part of Sky’s sponsorship of the Summit Sky.

Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht said: “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. 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.”

Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has proudly lauded its own efforts in going carbon-negative and, earlier this year, joined forces with other hospitality businesses to work towards a carbon-neutral future through a 15% carbon cut within the next year.

Receive an accreditation

Also, the Net Zero Pubs and Bars Initiative launched in July gives operators the tools to take action to tackle the ongoing climate crisis as well as creating an industry protocol that sets out a standard for net-zero carbon emissions, which pubs and bars can be certified against and receive an accreditation.

Publicans can also take inspiration from these tips too.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports’ production of the game for television viewers will also have a net-zero impact, and like every Sky Sports UK host broadcast in 2021 it will be an Albert-certified production.

Sky Sports has already reduced the amount of equipment and crew travelling to events, as well as moving all UK and Irish OB Generators to biofuel. Sky Sports studios are powered by 100% renewable electricity and, since January 2021, all Sky Sports UK productions have been carbon neutral.