Kicking off next week and running until Sunday 5th February, Green Football Weekend uses football themed challenges to encourage sustainable behaviour in school, at work and at home – and Wolves will use the initiative to launch their own sustainability programme and pledge.
Earlier this season, more than 1,000 fans responded to Wolves’ fan values survey on environmental sustainability, and the feedback has contributed to the club’s new One Pack, One Planet commitments and campaign, which will be launched in the build-up to the Premier League fixture against Liverpool.
Of the supporters who took part, 85% said they care about environmental sustainability and climate change and a similar number said they had a good understanding of climate change.
More than 80% of fans felt Wolves had a responsibility to reduce its own environmental impact, with the same number agreeing supporters had a responsibility to make more sustainable choices.
However, only about 50% agreed they had a good understanding of how football contributes to climate change.
Responses to our fan values survey have helped shape the club’s new sustainability pledge, which will be launched next week for #GreenFootballWeekend.
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 27, 2023
🤝 @ftblforfuture
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Carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change, are caused by football in many ways, including energy usage in stadiums, team and fan travel, disposing of matchday waste and manufacturing of merchandise.
Regarding fan travel modes, the survey found that over 70% of fans currently travel to Molineux by car, with around 25% of fans taking either the train, bus, coach or metro, and only 5% choosing to walk or cycle. For those who travelled to away fixtures, over half usually go by train, bus or coach.
One Pack, One Planet will set out Wolves’ intention not only to reduce the club’s own impact on the environment, but also to communicate and educate its community around climate change and sustainability.
Facilities, safety & security director Steve Sutton said: “Climate change is one of the most important topics of our generation, and the drive for sustainability is undoubtedly everyone’s responsibility.
“At Wolves, we are supplied by 100% renewable electricity and have been running an energy efficiency programme over the last five years, with extensive LED lighting replacements across Molineux, including the floodlights.
“However, there is always more that we can do, and our One Pack, One Planet commitment and campaign will outline our pledge to contribute to the planet’s drive for sustainability to combat climate change.
“Around 80% of our fans feel they have a responsibility to make more sustainable choices, and more than 80% said they would be happy to make more sustainable choices if the options were available, so as an organisation we have a responsibility to work on providing those options and work together to make a difference.”
Neil Dady, board member of Wolves 1877 Trust, said: ‘’The Trust was really interested to read the survey results, it aligns with the feedback that we get from our members.
“Environmental awareness is growing generally, particularly amongst younger fans and we support the club’s One Pack, One Planet initiative and look forward to the launch as part of the wider Green Football Weekend.”
Football For Future (FFF) sustainability manager, Thom Rawson, said: “The results of the fan survey show that seeing Wolves take action on environmental sustainability is a priority for the club’s fans.
“We have seen that this is true of football supporters more widely, who are conscious and engaged on climate issues and want to see that reflected in the values and priorities of their clubs.”
Wolves will launch One Pack, One Planet on Thursday 2nd February, ahead of the visit of Liverpool to Molineux on Saturday 4th February.
