In a recent conversation, Chris Boardman, chair of Sport England, elaborated on his dedication to tackling climate change within the Premier League. He is set to make a bold statement during an upcoming keynote speech at the Sport Positive Summit, where he intends to scrutinize the travel practices of certain Premier League clubs.
“Football is more than just a game; it’s our national pastime here in the UK,” Boardman remarked. He stressed the Premier League’s vast influence and popularity, describing it as the world’s leading sports league. However, he raised alarm over what he perceives as a disjointed approach among clubs concerning their environmental duties.
Boardman highlighted that this year, ten Premier League clubs opted to fly to the United States for pre-season friendlies, with teams like Tottenham and Newcastle traveling to Melbourne shortly after the season ended. He pointed out, “Manchester United’s pre-season involved almost 13,000 miles of travel for matches in Norway, Scotland, and the US. Meanwhile, Spurs and Newcastle racked up over 30,000 air miles just for non-competitive games during the off-season.”
As a former Olympic gold medalist who manages a staggering £250 million investment in sports each year, Boardman brings a pragmatic perspective to the conversation about change in the league. “I’m not advocating for an outright ban on flying, but we must seek a better balance,” he said. “It’s essential for our top football clubs to step up and commit to a more responsible future.”
Despite his concerns, Boardman commended clubs such as Southampton and West Ham for their proactive community involvement, which supports local non-league teams and boosts local economies. He praised Forest Green Rovers, Bristol City, Watford, and Plymouth Argyle for their environmental initiatives and highlighted Lewes for its pioneering community garden and vegan menu.
“There are numerous simple steps clubs can adopt,” he suggested. “Encouraging fans to choose sustainable transportation, minimizing single-use plastics, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing biodiversity in training facilities are all significant actions.” He also acknowledged clubs like Millwall for signing sustainable travel charters to reduce short-haul flights.
In his upcoming speech, Boardman will also confront the broader sports landscape, calling out FIFA for what he terms “greenwashing” with its announcement of a 2030 World Cup spanning three continents, which would drastically raise carbon emissions. He criticized UEFA’s expansion of its men’s European club competitions, suggesting it could lead to an unsustainable increase in match frequency.
Finally, Boardman urged leading athletes to take a stand for climate action, stating, “Our survey found that 65% of UK children want to see sports stars speaking out on climate change. Icons like Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Emma Raducanu have a significant impact. Their influence has the power to drive change, and now is the time to leverage the unique platform that sports offers.”
