ROVERS EARN SALUTE OF THE UN!

FOREST Green Rovers have been winning on the pitch this season – and they’re continuing to win off it, too. Rovers were hailed by the United Nations on Thursday night, receiving a ‘Momentum for Change’ climate action award in New York. Forest Green received the honour in the Climate Neutral Now category, after becoming the first football club in the world to work with the UN to go carbon neutral at the start of the season. Chairman Dale Vince was one of five speakers at the event. He discussed the club’s unique approach to tackling climate change, which includes the introduction of a fully vegan menu, an organic pitch, electric car chargers, the installation of solar panels and a solar powered robot lawnmower. “We’re pretty chuffed to have this recognition from the United Nations for our work in promoting sustainability through sport,” he said. “Plenty of people doubted we could make this improbable combination of a football club and the environment work, but it’s proven to be a powerful combination. “We’ve reached over three billion people in the last year with our story and our messaging and all around the world people have become fans of FGR because of the stand we take on environmental issues - we now have fan clubs in over 20 different countries. We’ve created a new kind of football club and a new kind of fan, people who are fans of football and the environment.” As part of the award, Rovers will travel to the next UN climate change conference in Poland in December.