Brentford Football Club releases its first sustainability report
Brentford FC’s sustainability report discloses the club’s progress and ambition
The Bees are currently sitting in the 11th place of the Premier League table before their game against West Ham on the weekend, in what is now their fourth consecutive season in England’s top division. At the halfway mark of the 2024/2025 season, the club released its first-ever sustainability report.
This came a few weeks after Arsenal’s 2024 Economic and Social Report was released, and the Science Based Targets initiative approved the Gunners’ net-zero targets, a sign that more Premier League clubs are stepping up to the penalty spot and taking climate action.
As a Premier League club with a global platform, Brentford Football Club published its first sustainability report to outline its existing work on sustainability topics and shed light on the club’s next steps.
It’s an important step for a club with a rich history since 1889 and one recently impacted by extreme weather events. One of their stadiums, Wheatsheaf Park Stadium, was flooded during the 2023-2024 season, highlighting how football clubs can be exposed to climate change risks.
The report was also published shortly after the club announced the appointment of a Sustainability Advisory Board that would provide strategic oversight, advise on delivering its sustainability strategy and report to the Bees’ board of directors.
In this report, the club disclosed its strategy to reduce its environmental impact, its steps to implement circular economy principles, and its work to regenerate the natural habitat around its facilities. Here is Wavezero’s summary of what you need to know.
The bees are part of the colony of football clubs taking climate action
As part of its sustainability strategy, Brentford FC aims to contribute to the UK’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050 and limit the rise in global average temperatures by 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels, as set by the Paris Agreement.
For the 2023-2024 season, the Bees have calculated that they released 8,765 tCO2e across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Of these emissions, 90% come from using gas and electricity, the goods and services purchased by the club, and fan travel.
To address energy emissions, the club has been purchasing its electricity from renewable sources and leverages the solar panels on the roof of the Gtech Community Stadium. These panels are estimated to generate over 70,000 kWh of clean energy per year.
Brentford FC has also removed single-use plastics on matchdays and developed a Nature Strategy. Partnering with ecologists, they’ve assessed the habitats on their grounds and plan to enhance the nature surrounding them, as exemplified by the launch of the Gtech Community Garden.
Another focus of the club’s emissions reduction strategy is providing vegan and vegetarian options to players, staff and fans. Their plant-based food partner, Naturli, works with them to provide low-carbon, tasty, and quality vegan meal options.
Some of the next steps for Brentford FC include releasing its Net Zero strategy. Wavezero will bring you the latest on the club's actions to reduce its emissions, the timelines it is working towards, and the investments it is making on its decarbonisation journey.
Premier League clubs are involving fans on the journey to Net Zero
As Brentford FC prepare to set their Net Zero target, they are keen to bring their fans along the journey. The club aims to work with its fans and local community to raise awareness about climate change and use its platform to create waves of climate action.
62% of Brentford FC’s fans mentioned being aware of the club’s sustainability efforts, and when surveyed, fans rated the importance of sustainability an 8.1 out of 10. In fact, they already have a sustainability working group to speak about the club’s initiatives.
To reduce fan travel emissions, the club has partnered with Trainline and their “I came by train” movement. Fans can benefit from a 20% discount on train tickets to away games, reducing the cost and environmental impact of travelling to support the Bees.
“Making our club more sustainable goes beyond what we do at our stadium, it’s also about the travel choices we all make. How fans travel can have a big impact on our carbon footprint. We’re hopeful that this initiative makes it easier and cheaper for fans to make a better choice on travel for the environment.”
James Beale, Brentford FC Sustainability Manager
The club has also worked with Utilita, their Official Energy Partner, on communication campaigns and sustainability workshops to encourage fans to switch to green energy, save money and reduce their emissions.
Other Premier League clubs are also taking on these initiatives. Brighton & Hove Albion offer train discounts to their fans, and AFC Bournemouth have partnered with Utilita to raise awareness about renewable energy. The race to Net Zero is the battle we want to see outside of the 90 minutes.
