Game Zero, the game between Spurs and Blues in the premier league, achieved net-zero carbon emissions according to a case study published by Sky.
Sky set the target of hosting the world's first net-zero carbon football game at an elite level, while also aiming to inspire millions of fans watching on simple ways they can reduce their own carbon footprint.
Net-zero was achieved by first measuring the baseline emissions of a match held at the Spurs stadium and then lowering those emissions as much as possible and offsetting any that could not be reduced with the support of Natural Capital Partners.
The result was net-zero carbon emissions caused by the game, and a template for teams and athletes around the world to use as they look to find ways to reduce their environmental impact.
Sky is on a journey to be net-zero carbon by the year 2030. Sky has a responsibility to share its learnings and measure against science-based targets.
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David Jones talks to Roy Keane, Roy Souness, and Micah Richards about how they can help save the planet. Take a look at how Spurs lead the way in terms of sustainable living.
Game Zero's emissions were reduced.
The players arrived on the ground on coaches powered by green biodiesel which helped lower squad travel emissions.
Fans walked 36,000 miles and drove 225,000 miles in electric or hybrid cars to and from the game.
Everything at the stadium was powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
The stadium's food was locally and sustainable, with 94 per cent more vegetarian and plant-based meals sold than the baseline game.
Sky achieved a 70 percent reduction in emissions from the production crew.
Sky Sports hopes that Game Zero will inspire long-term change and will be the first of many major net zero carbon sporting events.
We want to inspire football clubs, sports organizations, athletes and fans across the world to reduce their own carbon impact by sharing our findings.
Daniel Levy, Chairman, Spurs, said: "We are proud to have been involved with Game Zero, working alongside Sky to use our collective platforms and show leadership on a key issue that is affecting us all."
We would like to thank our fans for their support of the initiative and for taking positive actions around the matchday.
"None of the measures that were implemented around Game Zero were a one-off - we continue to assess all of our operations and identify ways to reduce our carbon footprint as a Club moving forward."
Tom Popple, Senior Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability at Natural Capital Partners said that they were delighted to work with Sky to offset emissions from Game Zero.
Sky takes a robust approach to measuring, reducing and offsetting emissions and always challenge themselves to go further. We hope that this activity encourages others to follow their lead.
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The Head of PR Tony Stevens and former Spurs player Michael Dawson are talking to the host.
Measuring, reducing and removing things.
Sky worked with carbon accounting specialists to measure the carbon emissions created by a premier league match held at a stadium, helping to highlight the more difficult emission sources and track progress.
Sky and Spurs were able to assess easy wins and tougher challenges of achieving net zero. The formula can be used to measure and reduce carbon emissions at major events.
It's not possible to achieve a net zero carbon match without offsetting with tens of thousands of fans attending football matches. Sky and Spurs are committed to searching for new solutions and raising awareness among sports fans.
Any carbon emissions that could not be cut from the match will be offset through a project that removes carbon from the atmosphere.
Sky worked with Natural Capital Partners, the leading experts on carbon neutrality and climate finance, to offset the remaining emissions of Game Zero through a community reforestation project in East Africa.
The project supports small farmers to source, grow, plant and nurture native and productive trees on their land, which remove carbon from the atmosphere as they grow, and provide alternative sources of nutrition and livelihoods.
Sky is supporting the UK Government's net zero objectives by funding new woodland. Native trees will remove carbon from the atmosphere over time.
Sky and Spurs planted trees near the stadium to benefit the local community.
A better world is something that I am committed to.
Sky and Spurs are committed to breaking new ground for the health of our planet. Sky is going to be net zero carbon by the year 2030, cutting emissions created by its operations, suppliers and customers by at least 50 per cent.
Sky was the first UK broadcaster to make sure that all of their productions are certified CarbonNeutral.
Sky Sports has improved operations by moving all UK and Irish OB Generators to biofuel, as well as introducing remote productions that reduce the amount of equipment and crew travelling to events. Sky Sports Studios are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and all Sky Sports UK productions have been carbon neutral since January 2021.
The UN-backed Sport Positive Summit carried out a study that named Spurs the greenest club in the premier league in 2021. The stadium is powered by 100% renewable electricity and has replaced high energy floodlights with efficient LEDs.
Sky and Spurs are founding partners of Count Us In, a global movement aimed at mobilising one billion people in the fight against climate change.
The full case study of Game Zero can be found here.
