Thursday 14 April 2022

Northampton Saints commits to net zero by 2040

Rugby Union club Northampton Saints has pledged to achieve net zero by 2040.

It has joined the UN’s Sports for Climate Action Framework, committing to halve its emissions by the end of this decade in the process.

The club is also looking at ways to reduce its waste and energy usage and has had 600 solar panels installed on two of its stands to generate renewable energy.

On the action the club has already taken, Julia Chapman, Finance & Operations Director, said: “All of Saints bought-in energy is now on a zero-carbon tariff. In the stadium’s office buildings, we have installed loft insulation and secondary double glazing to significantly improve the energy efficiency.

“Our main and training pitches are irrigated using a natural lake, reducing the stadium’s use of mains water.

“We have improved our waste recycling, installed water dispensers around the ground for re-usable bottles, and use EcoCups rather than single-use plastics.

“Elsewhere, we have significantly reduced the use of disposable plastic cutlery, sachets and food trays in our catering outlets.

“We still have much further to go [to reduce carbon emissions] and are looking forward to the journey ahead of us.”