Policy and Commitment
- The club and the Argyle Community Trust announced the launch of its inaugural Energy and Environmental Plan on Earth Day 2022, which will serve as the blueprint for Argyle’s journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions and can be viewed on the website here: https://www.pafc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/environ_v6.pdf
- The Environmental Plan spans 2022-2025, where the club will take measurable steps towards halving its emissions by 2030, with a long-term target of achieving net zero by 2050.
- The full Energy and Environmental Plan is now available for public viewing and has eight main areas of focus, including: gas, electricity, water, fuel, waste, business travel, nature, and procurement.
- The club and the Trust are signatories to the Network Net Zero Community, which is aligned to the United Nations’ Race to Zero initiative.
- In the medium to longer term, the club will phase out existing unsustainable contracts with services and suppliers, replacing them wherever possible with sustainable alternatives. This includes, eradicating the use of gas for heating and fuel, and changing club-owned or leased vehicles and technology to electric or hydrogen powered alternatives.
- Plymouth Argyle has confirmed that its net zero targets and reporting are via SWMAS’ “Make It Net Zero” programme.
- The club has been highly commended in the Plymouth business awards for energy success.
- Will comply with legislation and other requirements and continue to operate in an environmentally friendly way as a responsible business contributing towards reducing global warming and its environmental impact.
- By using an environmental reporting dashboard & baseline data, the club aims to reduce its overall energy use by 15% across the club & Trust.
- Will review and audit all of its existing suppliers to determine their environment focus and if the policies align. Is to consider including sustainability rating criteria in tendering processes.
- Will use life cycle analysis to determine the lifespan of purchased items.
- Is to work towards recognised standards and environmental management ISO14001 and Sustainable Procurement ISO20400.
- Will use consultants to establish its baseline carbon footprint and provide advice on next steps.
Clean/Renewable Energy
- All of the club’s energy is from renewable sources.
- In 2020, the club spent £8 million on a 59kW solar panel installation on the Mayflower Grandstand. In total, there are 214 Solar PV modules.
- In August 2022, an additional 225 solar panels were installed on the roof of the Mayflower Grandstand, more than doubling the total number of panels from the existing 214. The solar panels will generate a minimum of 101,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per annum based on previous years’ weather data and represents a 25% saving for the club on electricity costs. Should favourable conditions see the club run up a surplus of energy, the newly installed panels will also have the ability to sell energy to the grid, ensuring a cost efficiency as well as reducing the club’s footprint.
Energy Efficiency
- An Energy Monitoring solution has been implemented across 21 areas of the business. This enables the club to view consumption and challenge/plan with relevant department heads on how to reduce the club’s footprint and consumption.
- A new LED lighting system has been installed across the site, including the Home Park Ticket Office, the Argyle Superstore, club offices and stadium concourses. This follows on from the upgrade and installation of new floodlights in the summer of 2021. The LED lights will provide on average 50,000 more operational hours before replacements are required in comparison to the lighting currently installed at Home Park.
- Heating control boxes have been fitted in main offices, hospitality and changing rooms.
- Is to procure energy efficient devices and appliances.
- The club has objectives to reduce its gas usage and minimise/reduce its electricity consumption.
Sustainable Transport
- The club has a Sustainable Transport Policy and Plan in place to reduce single occupancy car trips and increase the use of sustainable transport modes.
- To promote walking and cycling, the club provides cycle parking which complies with the requirements of Plymouth County Council. The club also provides showers, lockers, changing and equipment facilities for employees cycling to the workplace.
- To encourage attendants of conference events to arrive by public transport, the club offers a shuttle bus service as an add-on to event bookers. This is advertised with each event booker.
- Provides and prioritises four designated car share parking spaces per matchday.
- Bike racks are provided to encourage staff to use sustainable transport.
- Sends its playing team on the train wherever possible and only uses the coach if train is not available.
- EV charging points on site for staff/fans.
- Coach and train travel to Home Park is promoted on the club’s website.
- One of Plymouth County Council’s electric bike hubs is located within 50 metres of Home Park.
- There is a procedure to book a parking space for all users at Home Park and the need to show a permit to access the car park. No public parking will be allowed at the car park at any moment.
- In total, the club provides 25 disabled spaces, 4 motorcycle bays and a cycle store.
- The club’s Supporter Relations Manager has undertaken a travel survey. The most recent fan travel survey took place in 2022 and the club will make the results public when possible.
- Additional travel surveys will be carried out on an annual basis and will be undertaken as agreed with Plymouth County Council.
- A formal review of the Travel Plan will take place with the Travel Plan Officer at the end of its five-year life cycle.
- As part of the Travel Plan, the club is looking at creating a Travel Information Website which will highlight modes of transport to all attendants. It will provide a central focus and one stop shop for staff and attendants to consult on their transport needs and will also explain the positives of sustainable travel, describing the various travel facilities in and around the site. Details of walking, cycling and public transport routes/services will also be included on the website.
- To promote the use of public transport, the club provides information on public transport services in the area, routes and fares and encourages participation in national events such as the ‘TravelWise Week’. This information is provided to all employees in the travel packs handed.
- To promote car sharing, the club sends internal communications to all staff advising of Plymouth and Devon’s liftshare car share database (https://liftshare.com/uk/community/devon) and other key initiatives.
Single Use Plastic Reduction/Removal
- All single use plastic was removed in Summer 2022.
- The club now uses Vegware and recyclable cups.
- Paper bags are offered in the Argyle Superstore as a replacement to plastic bags.
- The club has an objective to procure items and materials made from natural materials rather than synthetic plastic.
Waste Management
- Through its waste provider Biffa, the club has confirmed that it sends zero waste to landfill.
- There are food waste bins, mixed recycling and general waste. This is the same systems across all sites.
- Recycling bins are placed throughout Home Park Stadium on a match-day, allowing supporters to dispose of plastics responsibly.
- Argyle has teamed up with food waste movement Too Good to Go to ensure excess food produce is not thrown away at Home Park. Excess food from service areas around the stadium will be available on Too Good to Go’s free app, allowing the people of Plymouth to acquire food, rather than throwing it away.
Water Efficiency
- At the stadium, three attenuation tanks feed into a rainwater harvesting system which saves over 2,000,000 litres of water per year.
- A water monitoring solution has been implemented at the stadium.
- A rainwater harvesting system was completed on its Mayflower Grandstand on 19th October 2022. This will allow the club to repurpose rainwater that falls on the roof and feed the pitch irrigation system – with an estimated annual saving of 40,000 litres.
- Will be investing £10K in a urinal flushing system at the stadium which minimises water use and will save 9 million litres of water per year.
- The club has an objective to reduce its overall water consumption.
Plant based/low carbon food
- Vegan options are available for players (daily), hospitality & events (on every menu), kiosks and for its staff.
- Player vegetarian/vegan food options include Sweet Potato and Soy “Beef’ Pie, Hunters Style Quorn Fillet, Med Veg Tomato and Basil Pasta, Piri Piri Quorn Fillet and Rice.
- Hospitality vegetarian/vegan food options vary each home matchday. Previous offerings included: Country Vegetable Soup, Vegan “Fishless” fillet, Vegan Treacle Tart, Leek and Potato Soup, Vegan Caramelised Biscuit Cheesecake, Roasted Butternut Squash & Coriander Soup, Mixed Vegetable Tagine, Vegan Chocolate and Coconut Tart, Carrot & Coriander Soup, Vegan Cottage Pie, Vegan Mango & Coconut Cheesecake, Roast Tomato & Red Pepper Soup, Roasted Vegetable Lasagne and a Vegan Chocolate & Orange Tart.
- Vegan options within kiosk menus include a Vegan Roll and a Buttermilk Choc Bar.
- Food is sustainably sourced through Bidfood and Tamar Fresh.
Biodiversity
- No information provided.
Education
- As a signatory to the Network Net Zero Community which is aligned to the United Nations’ Race to Zero initiative, early activities at the club include providing education to all staff and players on how to preserve the environment.
- During the initial induction of new employees, a travel pack is provided to each member of staff.
- The Travel Plan representative introduces the Travel Plan to new and potential employees and explains the aims and objectives of the Plan during interviews, to ensure that travel options and the strategy are publicised from the outset.
Communication and Engagement
- The club and the Argyle Community Trust’s Environmental Plan can be found on the website here https://www.pafc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/environ_v6.pdf
- Holds a bi-monthly working group on sustainability and climate change with all staff & players.
- To promote the use of public transport, the club provides information on public transport services in the area, routes and fares and encourages participation in national events such as the ‘TravelWise Week’. This information is provided to all employees in the travel packs handed.
- The club and the Argyle Community Trust announced the launch of its inaugural Energy and Environmental Plan on Earth Day 2022, which will serve as the blueprint for Argyle’s journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Argyle Community Trust encouraged its fans to take climate action by supporting Plymouth Argyle in Planet League Cup competitions.
- To promote car sharing, the club sends internal communications to all staff advising of Plymouth and Devon’s liftshare car share database (https://liftshare.com/uk/community/devon) and other key initiatives.
- To promote a greener culture at Home Park, Argyle and the club’s Official Sustainability Partner Biffa place educational materials around the stadium on match-days as well as through the club’s social media channels.
- The club has an objective to create a culture in which all of the club’s stakeholders, particularly staff, understand and are committed to creating sustainable improvements.
Additional information
Information sourced directly from Plymouth Argyle F.C staff, website and third party websites
Information updated 07 March, 2023.