Flying the Net Zero Flag for Football

Amateur football club supported by University researchers to measure carbon emissions.

As the world looks to the professional football game to step up their net zero ambitions, one amateur football club in Leicester is flying under the radar.

In a ground breaking partnership, Leicester Nirvana, the trailblazing amateur football club based in Leicester, has collaborated with a Dr and student from De Montfort University (DMU) to pioneer the measurement and output of carbon emissions by the club.

This pioneering initiative, said to be a national first for an amateur football club, holds incredible value for Nirvana, as it guides them on their path to achieving their Net Zero goal.

Leading this remarkable effort is Dr. Leticia Ozawa-Meida, a senior research fellow at DMU, supported by MSc student Wilfor Zuluaga and Ivan Liburd from Nirvana. The team worked closely to comprehensively assess emissions across all facets of the club's operations, ranging from the energy usage in their clubhouse to the transportation habits of players and their families. This rigorous study is a vital component of the clubs Net Zero Football Project, and has generated findings that can serve as a model for similar assessments in other amateur sports clubs across the country and the world.

Ivan Liburd, Club Trustee and sustainable development goals volunteer, emphasised, "This initiative plays a pivotal role in our quest for Net Zero emissions, underscoring our dedication to environmental responsibility and setting a powerful example for our community. We are wholeheartedly committed to this project, as it perfectly aligns with our Net Zero objectives. The collaboration with DMU has been seamless, and it marks a significant stride toward a sustainable future.

The success of this project bolsters our belief that we can attain our Net Zero targets. As we move forward, we plan to expand similar initiatives and continue our journey toward reducing our carbon footprint."

Dr Ozawa-Meida, a Senior Research Fellow at DMU, said: “The results of the carbon footprint show that the largest sources of emissions of Leicester Nirvana relate to energy use, gas and electricity (70%), followed by the emissions related to travel of players and families to the matches (27%), and in less extent to emissions due to water use, waste generated and procurement of players uniforms (3%).”

By becoming, what may be the first club to comprehensively review their emissions, Nirvana has added another feather to its cap, emphasizing its commitment to making a difference. The club has also forged partnerships with the United Nations Football for the Goals campaign and garnered awards for its contribution to football.

It's worth highlighting that Leicester Nirvana, are the only amateur football club in the UK to have developed a partnership with DMU and the United Nations via their Sustainable Development Goals Academic Impact Hub based in Leicester. The partnerships main goal is to support Nirvana to become Britain's first Net Zero amateur football club, a historic milestone in their journey towards sustainability.

To share their remarkable findings, Dr Ozawa-Meida and Ivan Liburd from Nirvana presented the results of the emissions testing at a free event that took place at the Leicester Business Festival, aptly named "Green Goals." The event brought together local businesses, clubs, and organisations within the sports sector and connected them with the pioneering work being developed and delivered by De Montfort University in pursuit of the Net Zero agenda.