Sky and Spurs host world’s first net zero elite football match

Branded #GameZero, with the ambition of being net zero carbon, the game looked to reduce emissions as much as possible, with the remainder being offset through natural projects that remove emissions from the atmosphere.

Sky and Tottenham worked to minimise emissions from Sunday’s matchday activity such as energy used to power the game, travel to and from the stadium for both fans and clubs, and dietary choices at the stadium.

Initiatives included running team coaches on biofuel and players’ drinking water supplied in cartons, rather than plastic bottles.

Fans were encouraged to cycle or use public transport to get to the match, while all food served inside the stadium was sustainably sourced with plant-based options also available.

Sky also used remote production techniques to reduce the amount of equipment and the number of staff travelling to the match.

The initiative was supported by upcoming climate change summit COP26 and the Premier League.

Sky, Tottenham Hotspur and the UK Government said they wanted the game to raise awareness of the threat of climate change and inspire football fans to make simple changes that will help reduce their carbon footprint.

Earlier this year, Tottenham Hotspur was named the Premier League’s greenest club following a study carried out by the UN-backed Sport Positive Summit, with a range of sustainable measures implemented across its operations.

In July, Sky Sports became the first broadcaster to sign up to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework and is a founding member of BAFTA albert’s Sports Consortium, the group that aims to drive environmental improvement in the sports broadcasting industry.

Sky Sports’ managing director Jonathan 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.”

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said: “Climate change affects every aspect of our lives, including the sports that we love to watch and play. We can all take steps to help protect the planet for future generations, including in major sporting events.”

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