Photo Credit: Marylebone Cricket Club
MCC HAS TODAY ANNOUNCED THE AMBITIOUS OBJECTIVE OF BECOMING CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2030 AND NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2040.
The launch of a Net Zero Carbon Strategy will see various projects across Lord’s helping to achieve this target, as well as innovative tools like the Fan Footprint Calculator being launched at today’s Men’s Metro Bank One-Day International between England and New Zealand.
The strategy, ‘A Journey to Net Zero Carbon’, sets out an ambitious programme of measures and targets which will lead to the Club becoming Net Zero by 2040, if not earlier, as it continues to be a leading voice and influence within cricket amid the response to the threats posed to the future of the sport by climate change.
The Club aims to become Net Zero through a range of measures, including undertaking a significant programme of degasification at Lord’s, and switching the use of remaining natural gas in the operation of the venue to renewable energy sources.
Today’s match will also see the first use of the Fan Footprint Calculator, a free online platform which will allow fans, visitors to Lord’s, MCC Members and MCC staff to understand and measure their current carbon footprint and reduce their own emissions, as well as make pledges to cut their emissions going forward. Fans attending today’s England v New Zealand ODI are being encouraged to use the fan calculator for the first time.
MCC has a long-standing commitment to sustainability. In 2009, it became the first UK sports venue to appoint a full-time Sustainability Manager, publishing its first sustainability policy shortly after. In October 2022, it signed up for the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, which aims to support and guide sports clubs and bodies in achieving global climate change goals.
As a venue, Lord’s has introduced a number of sustainability measures to reduce its carbon footprint in recent years. It has been operating on 100% renewable electricity since 2016, with all electricity sourced from wind power, and since 2010 has sent zero waste to landfill.
Recognising the huge impact that climate change is having on cricket globally, including an increase in the number of rain affected matches, changes to how pitches are managed, damage to facilities, and the impact on players and spectators of extreme heat, MCC is also continuing to be an industry leader on sustainability in cricket, acting as a leading voice on environmental issues and how they impact cricket and sport more widely.
Earlier in the summer, and ahead of the second LV= Insurance Men’s Test match between England and Australia at Lord’s, MCC’s World Cricket committee hosted a meeting at Lord’s where members of the committee were joined by Australia captain and environmental sustainability advocate Pat Cummins, and received a presentation from MCC Sustainability and Accessibility Manager Stuart Dunlop on the club’s emerging Net Zero Carbon Strategy.
“IT IS VITAL THAT MCC, AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE GLOBAL GAME, CONTINUES TO LEAD THE DEBATE IN THIS AREA AND THIS STRATEGY IS A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION”
The strategy and the key targets set out within it will be measured and monitored by NetScope, a leading and industry recognised software reporting tool. The Net Zero Carbon Strategy and tool was developed in partnership with leading sustainability consultants, Net Zero Group.
Former England captain and MCC World Cricket Committee member, Eoin Morgan, commented:
“Climate change is one the biggest issues facing our sport and our planet, so it is vital that MCC, as the guardian of the global game, continues to lead the debate in this area and this strategy is a step in that direction.
“Sport, and society more broadly, needs to do more to combat the huge threat posed by climate change and in my role as a member of the MCC World Cricket committee, I’m keen to play whatever part I can to help shape and influence the debate in our sport. It was fascinating to hear the views of Pat Cummins at our recent meeting at Lord’s and we need more voices like Pat’s if we are to truly understand and address the threats posed to cricket by climate change.”
MCC Sustainability and Accessibility Manager, Stuart Dunlop, added:
“A Journey to Net Zero Carbon marks the next chapter in a long sustainability journey for MCC, and the Club recognises that a lot of work will need to go into implementing it.
“Whilst, as a Club, we have already made a lot of progress in terms of decarbonisation, this strategy is necessary and vital for us to determine an exact blueprint of the steps required to reach our net zero targets. Engaging our staff, Members and supporters who visit Lord’s is an important part of that process and journey.
Net Zero Group, Managing Director, Mark Hammond, added:
“Net Zero Group is proud to support MCC on their journey to Net Zero
and applaud the Club’s commitment to not only track and reduce the emissions of MCC but also leverage their audience and raise carbon awareness amongst fans.
“Our carbon consulting and software expertise will help the Home of Cricket continue their transformation into a leading international sustainability venue and set the standard for sporting organisations to create a low carbon culture.”
Name of Author: Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is a historic cricket club founded in 1787, based at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London since 1814.
