Teams were asked to provide evidence of efforts in 11 categories. Two points are available for each category as well as two bonus points, making a maximum of 24 points.

Tottenham and Liverpool came joint-top of the 2021 Green League. Tottenham Hotspur players travel to matches on coaches powered by biofuel, reducing travel emissions by more than 80%. Leeds and Newcastle were bottom of the list.

Teams from the Central Region were placed 10th (Leicester City), 12th (Aston Villa) and 18th (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

The English Premier League clubs ought to be applauded for making their performances known. It will be interesting to discover what other sports are doing in this respect.

The latest list of team rankings and the criteria used to judge them can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60196764

Sports organizations can display climate leadership by engaging together in the climate neutrality journey. They can achieve this by taking responsibility for their climate footprint, which in turn will incentivize climate action beyond the sports sector, and therefore help global ambition step-up in the face of the threat posed by climate change.

Uniting behind a set of principles, sports organizations and their communities have created an initiative by collaborating in order to position their sector on the path of the low carbon economy that global leaders agreed on in Paris: Sports for Climate Action

Sports for Climate Action Objectives

Sports for Climate Action works towards two overarching goals:

1. Achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change, through commitments and partnerships according to verified standards, including measuring, reducing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the well below 2 degree scenario enshrined in the Paris Agreement;
2. Using sports as a unifying tool to federate and create solidarity among global citizens for climate action.

Sports for Climate Action Principles

The Sports for Climate Action Initiative will provide sports organizations with a forum where participants can pursue climate action in a consistent and mutually supportive fashion by learning from each other, disseminating good practices, lessons learned, developing new tools, and collaborating on areas of mutual interest.

Participants in the Sports for Climate Action Initiative will commit to adhere to a set of five principles and incorporate them into strategies, policies and procedures, and mainstream them within the sports community, thus setting the stage for a wider dissemination of the message and long-term success.

Organizations are invited to sign up to the Sports for Climate Action principles, regardless of their current stage in their environmental endeavors and work collaboratively to identify and spotlight climate solutions.

UN Climate change will deploy its existing Global Climate Action platforms such as NAZCA, Climate Neutral Now, and Momentum for Change initiatives to inspire action, track progress and/or highlight success and provide recognition. UN Climate Change will also facilitate and coordinate the initiative within its resources and mandates.

Sports for Climate Action Targets

Sports for Climate Action signatories have established climate action in the agenda of the sports industry and are providing a signal for the future of sports, with global signatories joining every day. These commitments must be met with strategies to reduce GHG emissions, backed by immediate concrete actions and transparency of their progress against set targets. Many signatories have already started this process by mapping out their own GHG emissions, setting concrete goals and net-zero targets, and communicating and advocating for 1.5°C ambition on a global scale.

As part of this commitment, and three years after the launch of Sports for Climate Action framework, signatories are now requested to commit to achieving specific climate goals of halving emissions by 2030 and aiming to achieve net-zero by 2040.

These targets and timelines aim to position sports as an industry that sets the pace for climate action. Both goals have been informed by best practice targets. Sport is well placed to respond to the scientific consensus that deep and fast emission reductions are required to ensure a safer future. While focus will be on the 2030 goal, UN Climate Change will work with signatories to determine best course of action for achieving net zero by 2040, always guided by credible, best practice guidance.

More Information

https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement/sports-for-climate-action

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
   35 sports in Strettons serve people to learn and practice life skills, make friends, develop talents and earn a living. Sport initiatives raise funds for poverty programmes. Sport develops teamwork skills to support job readiness.
2. End hunger achieve food security & improved nutrition & promote sustainable agriculture.
   Stretton sports, assisted by nutrition from local produce, can benefit families to enjoy balanced diets for progress at school and work. Sport can raise awareness on food waste and create educational initiatives to change behaviours.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
   Sport and play activities on Russells Meadow, Leisure Centre, Schools and Cardingmill Valley,  play key roles in health. All encourage active lifestyles, mental well-being & friendships. Mayfair encourages individuals of all ages to adopt active lifestyles.
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
   Church Stretton sports-based activities offer a platform for learning in life, nurturing spirit, forming friendships, developing skills and accessing knowledge. Sport can improve learning outcomes by fostering achievement in education including U3A Church Stretton.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.
   Equality and friendships amongst females and males in the Strettons through sporting activity can empower community to ‘raise its game’. Traditional sports, exclusively male in Strettons (e.g. rugby & cricket) now welcome females.
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
   Water bottling plant and National Trust in Cardingmill Valley can be effective learning resources for disseminating information on water and water sanitation. Water management standards in our new sports pavilion on Russells Meadow should be an exemplar.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
   Local sporting activities provide a platform for winning respect, friendships and nurturing teamwork needed to engender clean energy and support Stretton Climate Care aims. Sports facilities and events can contribute to targets for renewable & clean energy.
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
   Prospects in Stretton are enhanced for people on demonstration of sporting  and cultural achievements requiring leadership, skills and teamwork that are transferable and contribute to economic and sustainable growth.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
   Resilience & business needs benefit from sport-based initiatives in capacity-building, creating jobs, economic, social and environmental sustainable development. Sport is recognised as a cost-effective means to promote growth.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
    Development of sport in communities like Church Stretton can help to reduce gaps between local & other less fortunate communities. A positive attitude to sport make it a suitable tool for sharing and tackling inequality. Sport showcases ability.
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
    Inclusion in sport is one of our main targets in Community Games. Accessible sports facilities contribute to advancement of this goal and can provide examples of best practice, such as the Longmynd Archers, for other market towns
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
    Incorporation of a sustainable development framework for sporting clubs can help with a community approach. A U3A Church Stretton Interest Group, together with 10 local voluntary organisations, has recently produced a framework for application.
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
    Sport and leisure activities in Stretton can incorporate elements of raising awareness and knowledge of environmental sustainability. Best practice example is Stretton Climate Care – Sustainable Strettons initiative.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
    Shropshire is the largest landlocked county in UK. However, people can learn the sport of swimming and water polo in the local pool, compete in swimming events and learn life-saving techniques to prevent drownings.
15. Protect, restore & promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt & reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
    NT Cardingmill Valley offers education and advocacy for preservation of terrestrial ecosystems. Outdoor sport can incorporate safeguards and activities for promoting sustainable and environmentally respectful use of valued terrestrial resources.
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
    Community Games help to strengthen partnerships between sport & leisure organisations, reunite divided communities and promote mutual understanding. Local exemplars for sustainable development are the Scouts and Guides.
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
    Sport serves as a vehicle for translating development objectives into reality. Local examples include Rotary Club where sporting investments are made over and overseen by a specific committee with an official in a leadership role.