Wimbledon aims to serve environmental ace

Wimbledon, the only Grand Slam still played on grass, is intent on becoming genuinely green. Organisers of the event have set ambitious, clear goals on how to achieve that.

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) has become more environmentally aware since enlisting the help of sustainability consultants as early as 2009, to measure and reduce its environmental impact.

It also signed up for the UN’s Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2018. The common goal is to halve global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2030 and reach ‘net zero’ by mid-century.

The club intends to reach this goal for both the Championships and its wider business because it can play a meaningful role in helping protect the environment.

The club says: “Changes to our climate are accelerating and we have a responsibility to play our part, mitigating our own impacts, ensuring we have a climate resilient estate for the future and using our influence to support this important cause.”

Wimbledon powered by on-site renewables

The Championships and the club’s operations are powered by renewable electricity, a part of which is generated onsite with solar panels, while the other part is bought.

The AELTC plans on generating more renewable electricity onsite, ditching conventional generators in favour of renewable-powered alternatives, and maximising the energy efficiency of existing buildings, equipment and appliances.

Acknowledging the extensive use of gas for heating and cooking, organisers have stated they are looking for a way to ultimately eliminate this dependence. The goal is to remove all gas equipment from kitchens by 2027.

The estate has undergone lighting upgrades, with the installation of high-efficiency LED lights. Electric lawnmowers and horticulture equipment have further helped with operating sustainably.

Retractable roof and state-of-the-art lighting

The Centre Court, the main court used in the Championships, is famous for its retractable roof. It was installed back in 2009, as a solution to the unpredictability of the British weather.

It was paired with cutting-edge lighting, which allowed for extended play into the evening as well. New state-of-the-art LED lights, which were revealed at the 2017 Championships, emulate daylight as closely as possible and provide superior light quality with reduced energy consumption and longer life spans compared to conventional lighting systems.

Decarbonising transport

More than 500,000 people are expected to attend the event this year. According to estimations from the Eco Experts, 91.3 per cent of the tournament’s emissions are released as fans, players, officials, media and staff travel to southwest London. It translates to 33,461 tonnes of CO2e. Air travel alone accounts for 56% of Wimbledon’s emissions. That’s 20,122 tonnes.

Organisers have announced ambitious plans aiming to have a fully electric car fleet by 2030, while in last year’s tournament, electric buggies were used to transport guests during the Championships. The practice is also implemented year-round.

Wimbledon has been commended for encouraging sustainable transportation methods, with a large number of attendees opting for public or active transport, rather than cars or taxis.

Meanwhile, emissions for which no current alternative exists, including international travel of players, staff and tournament officials, or emissions the club is unable to eliminate, will be balanced through their equivalent investment in carbon compensation.

Nothing goes to waste

Although it never publishes waste and recycling figures, Wimbledon achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status in 2018, 2019 and 2021, claiming no waste generated from its day business ended up in the landfill.

All types of recyclable rubbish used during the event are separated and sent to be reused. General waste is used to generate electricity for the National Grid. According to Business Waste Management, in 2019 this was enough to power 112 homes for a month.

Food waste is collected and used to produce high-quality fertilisers for agriculture and horticulture. In-date leftover food is sent to charities and community organisations across London.

In 2021, organisers of the tournament introduced reusable cups for cold drinks to reduce single-use plastic waste. This is something AELTC plans on promoting. It also plans to encourage the use of recycled and recyclable materials for construction and design for disassembly, too.

Sustainable winner

According to further estimations from the Eco Experts, the Championships has a carbon footprint of 35,894 tonnes of CO2e, the amount 143,600 Brits emit over a fortnight. Although a high figure, it is significantly less than the estimated footprint of the 2024 Summer Olympics or UEFA’s EURO 2024.

While environmentalists push for more action in the age of climate change, Wimbledon easily wins the sustainability race and can serve as a role model for the entire sporting community.

[By Xhoi Zajmi I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]

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