Sport Positive Leagues release EFL Sustainability Rankings
Since 2019, Sports Positive Leagues has been promoting environmental sustainability efforts by football clubs, with a focus on Premier League teams.
Last week, for the first time, Sports Positive Leagues has expanded its scope by releasing the EFL 2022 Matrix, which charts the sustainability efforts of clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two. This new initiative represents the organisation’s efforts to encourage environmental responsibility across all levels of professional football.
Each club was ranked within their respective league, as well as in a combined matrix to determine their standing across the entire EFL. Unsurprisingly, Forest Green Rovers, regarded as 'the greenest football club in the world', earned the top spot in both League One and the combined league rankings with a perfect score. This achievement reflects their unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability across all aspects of the club.
Reacting to the table’s release, Forest Green Rovers owner and chairman Dale Vince said:
“Ten years ago we were a lone voice with a radical idea, today it’s fast becoming normal, not just in English football but internationally too - and indeed the whole world of sport.
Football clubs have the same responsibility as everyone else to take care of their impact on the world - but we also have a unique opportunity, few others have - a platform from which to inform and influence billions of people. That’s happening now.”
The EFL 2022 Matrix, has provided valuable insight into the role of football organizations in promoting sustainability efforts. The leadership demonstrated by top-ranking clubs sets an example for others to follow and encourages those lower down the table to make progress in their environmental sustainability initiatives.
Following the release this morning, high-ranking clubs have proudly shared press releases highlighting their achievements. There was further national recognition in the form of the BBC article "Football & climate: Which EFL clubs are the most sustainable?" published this morning as well as a news piece from Sky Sports. This positive coverage will undoubtedly inspire more clubs to embrace sustainability and contribute to the broader effort to make football more environmentally responsible.
Sports Positive Founder Claire Poole commented:
“Across all three divisions there are great examples of leadership from many EFL clubs, we congratulate those clubs for their efforts towards a sustainable future.
The EFL’s Green Clubs scheme has provided a framework for clubs to build upon and develop alongside their own initiatives. Football provides such an incredible platform to drive collective action in tackling the climate crisis, and as the recent IPCC report highlighted, we are running out of time - but the power is in our hands.”
Read more at www.sportpositiveleagues.com