Munster Rugby goes for the sustainability bonus point
Leading the pack for sustainability in rugby
On the 27th of May 2023, Munster Rugby ended a 12-year trophy drought by beating the Stormers and winning the United Rugby Championship. Building on this accomplishment, the Irish club published its first environmental impact and sustainability report in October of the same year.
As signatories to the UN Sports for Climate Action and Race to Zero frameworks since 2021 and 2022, this report disclosed how they were progressing on their sustainability journey and targets. The club had set ambitious climate goals to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2040.
These commitments cover every aspect of the club’s environmental impact, including fan travel. In doing so, they became one of the first rugby clubs in the world, alongside sustainability leaders such as the Northampton Saints, to publicly commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Tackling the club’s emissions
With the ambition to reach net zero emissions, the club is dedicated to tackling the direct emissions arising from its operations and the indirect emissions from its value chain. To reduce energy emissions, Munster has partnered with Pinergy to power their stadiums, Thomond and Virgin Media Park, with renewable energy.
This sourcing of clean energy is paired with the on-site production of solar energy. During the 2022/2023 season, Pinergy installed 644 photovoltaic panels at Virgin Media Park. Through this partnership, they have created one of the largest renewable energy installations in Irish sport, and Munster can now feed back any excess renewable energy to the national grid.
From an energy efficiency point of view, they have installed LED floodlights, which have allowed the club to reduce energy consumption from 248kW to 144kW, a 42% reduction.
As part of its sustainability journey, Munster also aims to transition their fleet to an entirely electric one by 2030. That’s where another Irish partnership steps in. 73% of Munster Rugby’s fleet comprises electric vehicles, with the Kearys Motor Group providing 19 of these all-electric vehicles.
Trying to influence fans and society
From season to season, Munster aims to reduce the club’s emissions, grow its sustainability leadership in Ireland, and create global waves of climate action through rugby. Given that fan travel accounts for 75% of the club’s emissions, Munster Rugby’s sustainability strategy must involve them in the journey to net zero.
As a club, they are dedicated to using their platform to raise awareness of climate change within their community and ensure that they can accelerate sustainability efforts that contribute to national and global decarbonisation targets.
“We believe that Munster Rugby should be taking the lead in this critical area. Through our actions, we want to inspire other clubs and our supporters to follow us. For the sake of future generations and the planet, it’s the right thing to do.”
Philip Quinn, Chief Operating Officer at Munster Rugby
Through its partnerships with Pinergy and Kearys Motor Group, Munster Rugby is demonstrating how sports organisations can accelerate decarbonisation efforts in other industries. To reduce emissions from fan travel, collaboration will be required with the Irish national and local governments to develop infrastructure for electric vehicles and lower-carbon transport such as rail.
Sports clubs such as Munster Rugby, including the voices of individual players, have immense power and potential to inspire individuals to care about environmental causes. Munster Rugby is creating waves of climate action nationally and globally by leading the way for environmental sustainability in rugby and participating in sectoral decarbonisation efforts.
