REDDITCH United Football Club has announced it has officially achieved carbon-neutral status, becoming what is believed to be only the second football club in the world to reach this.
Being carbon-neutral means Redditch United has reduced its carbon emissions wherever possible and balanced the remaining emissions through certified environmental measures.
The club partnered with Neutral Carbon Zone (NCZ) to complete a comprehensive NCZ Gold Certification emissions assessment, covering all operational and organisational activities for the 2023/24 reporting period.
This looked at everything the club did as an organisation – from daily operations to wider activities.
The report confirmed the club produced 208.58tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) during the year. This total includes all types of emissions, known as Scope one, two and three, which cover direct energy use purchased energy, and indirect emissions, such as travel and supply chains.
Most of the club’s emissions came from purchased goods and services, which accounted for 87.80 per cent of the total.
Commuting and homeworking by staff made up a further 7.25 per cent. All of these emissions have now been fully balanced through certified carbon-offsetting projects, meaning the club has achieved carbon neutrality.
The club has committed to using this baseline as the foundation for ongoing emissions reduction, ensuring offsetting is applied only to currently unavoidable emissions.
Redditch United Chairman, David Faulkner, said: “This achievement reflects our belief that football clubs – at every level – have a responsibility to lead by example.”
Redditch Borough Council leader, Coun Sharon Harvey said: “What a fantastic achievement for Redditch United.
“This is truly inspiring and I congratulate Dave Faulkner and his team on their relentless pursuit for excellence.
“Redditch United is so much more than a football club – it is aspiration like this which helps put Redditch on the map.”
Town MP Chris Bloore added: “I am incredibly proud of the club for becoming one of the first football clubs in the world to achieve carbon neutrality and putting our town on the map for the right reasons.
“Beyond the environmental impact, the Reds support hundreds of young players, SEND provision and education programmes that strengthen local pride.
“When the Reds succeed, our whole community stands taller and benefits together.”
