MPs urged to support grassroots clubs wanting to go green

MPs have been urged to investigate whether support for amateur grassroots sports clubs wanting to reduce their environmental impacts is adequate.

Net Zero Research Theme Director Mark Charlton addressed the Environment Audit Committee at a special event in London to celebrate its 25-year anniversary. 

Researchers were invited to pitch proposals for future inquiries to the influential group of cross-party MPs and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s submission made the final shortlist.



The recommendation was an impact of the ongoing Net Zero Football project being delivered by a network of DMU researchers and local and international partners via DMU’s United Nations Academic Impact Hub for Sustainable Development Goal Hub for SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).  

So far, the project has used frameworks within SDG 16 and SDG 13 (Climate Action) to design activities that give young people a greater say in how local sports teams can be more sustainable.

The project links closely to the UN’s Football for the Goals campaign and has attracted amateur clubs and university partners from around the world to participate including Germany, Spain, Malaysia, The Gambia, The Republic of Benin and others.  

 The presentation to the Environment Audit Committee will highlight early findings in the project that amateur sports clubs in the UK feel they do not have enough support to tackle climate change issues and highlight the opportunity of developing a toolkit and a new national campaign to harness this potential.  
Mr Charlton said:”This project is capturing the imagination of a lot of people right now, so I am delighted to be able to share it with the Environment Audit Committee for consideration.  

 “Grassroots sports clubs like Leicester Nirvana and Vicky Park Queens and the others we have been working with give so much to their communities with such care and enthusiasm and the main point is really highlighting that a little bit of support from the governing sports bodies would go such a long way in achieving Net Zero.”

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in the Net Zero Football Project.  Students and staff wishing to find out more can email mcharlton@dmu.ac.uk   

The Environmental Audit Committee’s 25th Anniversary event, Environmental Scrutiny Towards 2050, took place at Imperial College London on Wednesday.