The Prince's Mayday Network

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• Man United - the reds go green as they reduce their carbon emissions
  16 August 2010

  Manchester United has become the 250th organisation to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for measuring, managing and reducing its carbon emissions. Organisations that achieve the Standard are demonstrating a commitment to real and continuous improvement and are leading the way towards a low carbon economy.

  The club has been working hard over the past two years, introducing a range of initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and cut costs. To engage with all levels of staff Manchester United ran the ‘boardroom to boot room’ initiative that featured the development of a network of 23 energy champions and a high profile awareness campaign involving Sir Alex Ferguson.

  "Achieving the Carbon Trust Standard demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and to be an environmentally responsible club. This accolade is testament to the hard work and united effort of our energy team and Energy Champions across the organisation." Michael Bolingbroke  - Manchester United’s Chief Operating Officer

  At Old Trafford, the energy consumption has been reduced by optimising the control system for the heating and ventilation system as well as switching lighting off on non-match day. Reducing the lighting in the North Stand tunnel by fifty per cent alone will save the club £10,000 each year.

  The Reds go Green Campaign challenges the club to address other environmental issues such as waste, recycling and congestion around the stadium on match day. The waste and recycling initiative aims to ensure that any waste produced by the club does not end up in landfill, but instead is sent to a local energy recovery plant.

  In total the club cut 1200 tonnes of carbon dioxide from its footprint and saved £235,000 in total energy use over a seven month period. In the future Manchester United are looking to install smart meters and water saving measures as well as considering renewable energy options at their training ground and other sites.

  • The carbon management efforts helped the club save over £125,000 in electricity and £110,000 in gas over a seven month period
  • Since July 2008 the club has reduced their energy use by 16.9 per cent
  • Saved 1200 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere – equivalent to the carbon produced by 240 averaged sized homes within a year
  • Implemented a number of eco-friendly initiatives such as the use of electric vehicles on site
  • Regions: National
  • Tags: Carbon Trust, football, Manchester United