Premier League Tackles Scope 3 in Sustainability Push

As the environmental impact of sports becomes increasingly scrutinised, Premier League football clubs are beginning to address the complex challenge of Scope 3 emissions.

The emissions, which typically constitute the most significant portion of a club's carbon footprint, include all indirect emissions within a club's value chain—from fan travel to waste management.

Despite progress in Scope 1 and 2 emissions reporting, Scope 3 remains a significant challenge.

The current state of Scope 3 reporting

While Premier League clubs have made strides in measuring and reporting their Scope 1 and 2 emissions, comprehensive Scope 3 reporting is still in its early stages:

• Limited reporting: Only a few clubs, such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, have provided detailed Scope 3 emissions data.
• Ongoing efforts: Many clubs are still working on capturing and analysing their Scope 3 emissions, reflecting the complexity of this task.

New environmental sustainability commitment

The Premier League has responded to these challenges by introducing a new Environmental Sustainability Commitment aimed at standardising and enhancing emissions reporting across all clubs:

• GHG emissions dataset: By the end of the 2025/26 season, all Premier League clubs must develop a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dataset that includes Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
• Standardisation Goal: The initiative aims to create a level playing field, enabling more accurate comparisons and driving collective improvement across the league.

Major sources of Scope 3 emissions

For Premier League clubs, the primary contributors to Scope 3 emissions include:

• Fan travel: The transportation of fans to and from matches is a significant source of emissions, often accounting for most of a club's Scope 3 footprint.
• Team and staff travel: Travel for away games, including flights and bus rides, contributes substantially to Scope 3 emissions.
• Procurement: The goods and services that clubs purchase, from food and merchandise to equipment, generate indirect emissions.
• Waste Management: The disposal and treatment of waste generated at matches contribute to Scope 3 emissions, as do food and beverage services operations.

Challenges in addressing Scope 3 emissions

Premier League clubs face several obstacles in effectively managing their Scope 3 emissions:

• Data collection complexity: Gathering accurate data related to fan travel and supply chain emissions is challenging and resource-intensive.
• Limited control: Clubs have little control over specific emission sources, such as fan behaviour and third-party suppliers.
• Balancing pressures: Clubs must juggle sustainability initiatives with competitive performance and financial constraints, often making environmental goals secondary.

Initiatives and best practices

Despite these challenges, some Premier League clubs are leading the way in addressing Scope 3 emissions through innovative initiatives:

• Fan travel surveys: Clubs are conducting surveys to understand better and mitigate fan transportation emissions.
• Sustainable transport policies: Encouraging public transport or carpooling among fans and staff to reduce emissions.
• Waste management: Sixteen of twenty clubs have achieved 100% waste diversion from landfills, reflecting a commitment to reducing environmental impact.
• Vegan food options: Offering plant-based food at stadiums to lower the carbon footprint associated with catering.

Future outlook

The Premier League's new sustainability commitment aims to drive significant advancements in Scope 3 emissions reporting and reduction efforts:

• Robust policies: By the end of the 2024/25 season, all clubs must have strong environmental sustainability policies.
• Common framework: The Premier League Sustainability Working Group is developing a standardised approach to environmental action, including guidance on managing Scope 3 emissions.

A path toward greater sustainability

While Premier League clubs are still in the early stages of addressing Scope 3 emissions, the league-wide commitment and increasing awareness of environmental issues are positive steps forward.

As clubs develop more comprehensive emissions datasets and share best practices, the football industry is poised to make significant progress in reducing its overall carbon footprint.

The evolving focus on sustainability could set a new standard within football and across the broader sports world.

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