Forest Green at forefront of EFL sustainability plan
stands, so we make 20 per cent of our electricity. The rest we bring in from the grid, but from a windmill just up the road,” he said.
“The golden rule with energy, transport and food is reduce what you use, waste less and what you do use, source more sustainably.
“For transport, we’ve got electric charging points for fans, our head coach and our kit man have got electric cars, and we’re going to travel to an away game later this season in an electric coach, that will be the first time that has been done.
“On food, we’re plant-based across the whole club. That probably took a bit more work than the other things we did, but it’s the thing that has given us the most attention and it’s gone down really well with our fans ultimately.
“It’s just taken people time to adjust to the idea. The food itself is fantastic and that’s what we’re hoping people would buy into.”
Asked how he would convince fellow EFL chairs and chief executives to get involved in the scheme, he said: “First off, we all have an impact on the environment and it’s our responsibility to be aware of what that is and to reduce it ultimately to zero. We have got to play our part.
“Secondly, your fans will expect it.
Customers of any business expect that business to take responsibility for their own environmental impact. Anybody that doesn’t do this is really behind the curve.
“Thirdly, football is a great platform for influencing people, and we can get on the front foot by doing this and help to encourage our fans to change how they live.”
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing mankind today and therefore it is vitally important that the EFL and its clubs take steps to improve and minimise our environmental impact.
“Professional football will not be immune to the effects of the climate crisis and there has never been a more important time for the EFL and its clubs to make a collective commitment in this area.”
On the pitch, Forest Green host Brighton Under-21s in a rearranged EFL Trophy tie tonight.
The match was originally supposed to take place a fortnight ago but was postponed because of torrential rain, which waterlogged the pitch.
Forest Green have played one game in the Trophy so far, having drawn 1-1 with Northampton before losing the tie-breaking penalty shoot-out 4-2.
Swindon, who beat Forest Green on Saturday, have an EFL Trophy game at Plymouth Argyle.