The first sustainable international cricket matchday held at Edgbaston Stadium has cut carbon emissions by over a third.
Edgbaston made changes to its usual match day specially called ‘Go Green Game’ for the occasion in September 2023.
A detailed forecast of the climate impact of the game, carried out in January 2023, projected a footprint of 494 tonnes of CO2 before the implementation of any reduction activity.
The actual calculation, completed after the event and reflecting the reduction activity undertaken, showed the carbon footprint was lowered to 327.79 tonnes.
Edgbaston sustainability manager Lydia Carrington said: “We set ourselves a target of 25% so to cut emissions by more than a third is really encouraging.
“The report takes into account everything from spectator travel, to food, drink and merchandise bought, pitch maintenance and energy usage immediately before, during and after the game.”
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More than 3,600 fans arrived on a free shuttle bus service from Birmingham New Street station – with around 2,400 on the return leg – while almost 1,000 fans travelled for free on other National Express West Midlands services.
Grounds staff used electric mowers and rollers, food packaging was made from compostable seaweed, and 5,000 four and six cards handed out were printed on seed paper that fans were encouraged to take home and plant to grow wildflowers.
No red meat was served in hospitality areas and spectators also played their part by signing up for stints on the pitch-side energy bikes which, when pedalled, charged up Edgbaston’s electric road sweeper.
“We will be taking the learning from the Go Green Game and looking to implement more sustainable processes into our match day delivery both for international and domestic cricket,” Carrington added.
