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Liverpool 2022

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Policy and Commitment

  • The Red Way, the Club’s holistic sustainability programme, was launched in January 2021, details of which are published on the Club’s website
  • The Planet aspect of the associated strategy for The Red Way covers all sustainability impacts – from pollution, waste, supply chain environmental impacts, carbon emissions and biodiversity.
  • The Club became a signatory to UN Sports for Climate Action framework (S4CA) in 2021 and in 2022 committed to the higher ambition level of this framework. A carbon emission inventory across all 3 Scopes including fan travel to UK home and away matches has been completed, and the Club is now also reporting annually to the UN on progress against their associated action plan
  • To see full breakdown of club Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions please see Overview and Highlights Report on main club website here
  • The Club has implemented an energy management system, and independent certification has been retained to ISO50001 standard since 2020.
  • The operational framework/sustainability management system underpinning delivery of The Red Way has been certified to ISO20121 by external auditors, BSI,

Clean/Renewable Energy

  • The Club sources electricity and gas for all UK operated sites from 100% renewable sources (Sport Positive verified)

Energy Efficiency

  • The Club has an operational energy management system in place, certified to ISO50001, which additionally demonstrates ongoing compliance to ESOS.
  • This management system covers all UK operated sites.
  • Energy at Anfield Stadium, Academy & AXA Training Centre sites is managed through comprehensive Building Management System (BMS) software, providing insights to proactively manage consumption across these facilities.
  • The Club’s Merchandising team continue to work closely with factories supplying product to our retail operation, ensuring progress is being made to reduce energy consumption or transition to more energy efficient systems. The Club is also working with suppliers more widely to improve efficiencies on energy, water usage and to reduce waste. Energy efficiency is also promoted through the washing instructions detailed on garment labels for LFC Product i.e., advising to reduce temperature to 30c, where hygienic

Sustainable Transport

  • Liverpool FC has sustainable transport policies for staff and team travel, with use of decision-tree documentation for conditions on when each form of travel is used, prioritising lower carbon options (Sport Positive verified)
  • Managing transport and carbon emissions is part of The Red Way strategy. The transport emissions reduction strategy is driven by the objectives set out in The Red Way and is now embedded using LFC’s Sustainable Travel Policy. In terms of emissions, these are tracked in the carbon emissions inventory, and the reduction plan for fans, staff and team travel is part of the carbon reduction strategy.
  • The carbon emissions resulting from travel (staff, fans, and teams) are measured in the carbon emissions inventory and part of the overall carbon management plan, with reduction targets aligned, as a minimum, to S4CA and Race to Zero.
  • A detailed Transport Strategy was developed in Nov 2020, which was published as part of the Anfield Rd stand expansion project. This strategy will be implemented and monitored under the planning conditions for the extension of the stadium including increasing the cycle hub and bus capacity.
  • Public transport is visibly advocated. There’s a free cycle hub at the stadium, walking routes are signposted, casual match day staff receive free bus travel to and from work each matchday, EV charging points are in place at the AXA Training Centre, and there is a cycle to work scheme for staff.
  • There are two team buses in use. In alignment with LFC procurement policy, a full assessment was undertaken to replace the coaches with a more sustainable solution. In December 2022, the buses switched from using Diesel fuel to Hydrotreated-Vegetable Oil, reducing the team’s road transportation emissions by approx. 90%. For flights, there is commitment to decarbonise the fuel through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (directly or indirectly in the planes, where availability allows). This will result in a reduction of c. 80% of emissions, with any residual emissions being offset.
  • Supporter (fan) travel is measured and reported as part of the carbon strategy, an online survey was undertaken in August 2020 asking season ticket holders, match attendees and hospitality members how they typically travel to Anfield. The type/mode of travel has also been assessed during the development of the transport strategy, as well as previous economic impact reports, which have been published externally on the Liverpool City Council website
  • In most recent fan travel survey (November/December 2022) – the results of which are publicly available in the ‘Our Planet’ section here (link to https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/theredway) – 67% currently travel by car or taxi with just 3% walking and 11% using public, club or fan group arranged transport. Future practical reduction plans will aim to reduce the number of fans travelling by car, instead using local public transport links, walking and other low-carbon alternatives such as cycling

Single Use Plastic Reduction/Removal

  • Single use plastic reduction/removal is included within waste management strategy developed as an outcome of the implementation of the LFC sustainability management system, The Red Way strategy, and the sustainability policy
  • Waste audits across all key LFC sites are continuously undertaken, with external specialist assistance where required, identifying all waste streams and the potential reduction options, which include single use plastics
  • Associated targets for overall waste reduction, including the reduction of single use plastics, have therefore been incorporated within future operational planning
  • Retail/merchandise procurement – proactive strategy to reduce packaging on all products to reduce plastic and cardboard is being implemented e.g., avoiding individual plastic bags for items coming into the Distribution Centre, removing acetate from packaging. Looking at closed loop recycling for clothes hangers
  • Use of reusable ‘bottom-up’ cups at Anfield, avoids plastic waste – hand back rates for reusable cups have increased from 20% at the beginning of 2021 to 98% at the end of 2022
  • New partnership launched in Sept 2021 with SC Johnson to collect plastics and recycle these into new bottles for their products

Waste Management

  • In 2021, we had zero waste to landfill, and a 25% reduction in overall waste was achieved in the 2021/22 season compared to the 2019 baseline
  • A waste management strategy has been developed as an outcome of the sustainability management system implementation
  • As part of this process, waste audits across all key LFC sites are continuously undertaken across all waste streams, with external specialist assistance where needed.Consequently, potential reduction options are continuously being explored
  • Associated targets for overall waste reduction have been incorporated within future operational planning. The related targets for the next couple of seasons are as follows:
    • 10% reduction in overall waste (tonnes) annually
    • 60% waste recycled, composted, anaerobic digestion (food)
    • Zero waste to landfill (noting, construction projects have their own waste targets)
  • Retail/ merchandise procurement – proactive strategy to reduce packaging on all products to reduce plastic and cardboard is being implemented

Water Efficiency

  • Comprehensive water management programme underway with significant investment in reducing and reusing water at Academy, AXA Training Centre and stadium.
  • Academy and AXA Training Centre have a Waste2Water facility
    • Equipment is washed off on a purpose-built apron which drains into a sump. This dirty water is filtered to remove solids (typically grass cuttings) then treated in the Waste2Water tank with bacteria, and the water is then able to be reused for washing again
  • Weather station in place, which monitors rainfall and evaporation
  • Irrigation is carefully planned according to need, based on current rainfall and humidity to ensure the grass gets the required amount of water, but avoiding excess consumption, and minimising run-off (and potential pollution)
  • Moisture and salinity monitoring probes have been installed on the pitches at Anfield, the AXA Training Centre and the Academy. This enables the Grounds Management team to optimise and minimise irrigation, along with usage of fertiliser
  • 100% of water use for irrigation at the AXA Training Centre comes from the borehole and 75% at the Academy. This minimises mains water consumption. as much as possible.
  • Borehole extraction is monitored as part of the Environmental Agency extraction permit. Mains water use is metered, therefore monitored
  • All new developments have water efficient taps and facilities installed as part of the overall resource management policy that’s being implemented as part of The Red Way strategy

Plant based/low carbon food

  • All catering outlets, for staff, players, and visitors offer vegetarian and vegan options as standard
  • There are allotments at The Academy and within close proximity to Anfield Stadium. In-season vegetables being grown at these sites are being used by the chefs and used as part of the pastoral education of the young players to show how in-season, low carbon food is grown and then used as part of a healthy balanced diet. This also links with the nutritional advice provided by the teams’ nutritionists
  • All food for catering is sourced locally (Northwest England) to support the local economy and reduce food miles
  • Through LFC’s partnership with Quorn, meat-free matchday pies were launched at the beginning of 21/22 season. Sales of Quorn product for 21/22 season have led to an 86,500kg reduction of CO2e emissions from lower carbon meals
  • Additional highlights:
    • Employee meals are almost 40% vegetarian
    • Matchday Hospitality are achieving 30% vegetarian
    • Kiosk pie orders are 15% vegetarian / vegan
    • New unit on Skerries opened last year, in Feb 22, are vegan only

Biodiversity

  • Biodiversity is part of The Red Way sustainability strategy, with a commitment to enhance the biodiversity both on LFC sites and, where possible, out with LFC sites too
  • From The Red Way Overview and Highlights Report, ‘As part of our commitment to increase the biodiversity across our sites each year, in 2021/22 we completed a thorough assessment of the pre-existing biodiversity in those spaces and have set out an ambitious 5 year biodiversity action plan
  • The Club has supported local tree planting programmes, through its carbon neutrality commitment for scope 1 & 2 emissions
  • Key highlights / metrics:
    • At Academy over 900 trees, hedges, bushes, and wildflower plugs have been planted as well as vegetable raised beds, with chefs using the produce in-season, including: tomatoes, leeks, onions, celery, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, radish, carrots, beetroot, celeriac, herbs, chillies, and peppers. Pear, apple, cherry, and plum trees have also been planted
  • Additionally, there are 3 bug houses, a hedgehog house, 4 log piles, 8 bird boxes and 8 bird feeders, and we are working with the local Hedgehog Society to help protect hibernating hedgehogs
  • Improvements to biodiversity at LFC sites was a priority during 2022. The Anfield allotments were built/refurbished in the summer of 2022 and an in-depth biodiversity report was undertaken in November 2022 to reveal that, from Sept – Nov 2022:
    • the apple tree alone has provided approx. 35kg of apples, which have been used in LFC’s kitchens
    • 126m2 of growing crop has been planted
    • 153m2 primed for 2023 sowing
    • 66m2 spring bulbs planted
    • 48m2 wildflowers seeded
    • 38m2 fruit orchard trees planted
    • Approx 600 seeds have been sown in 20 raised beds and direct into the ground
  • There are currently programmes in place for local veterans to come and engage with the biodiversity at LFC, helping with planting, education, and social aspects

Education

  • Players have been educated and engaged in various environmental campaigns/initiatives, particularly those delivered with LFC’s Partners, including the SC Johnson’s ‘Goals for Change’plastic upcycling initiative at Anfield, Quorn’s ‘Meat free Matchdays’ advocating meat-free diets, and as part of Nike’s ‘Move to Zero’ where club kits are produced from plastic bottles. For example, Players have been educated by Mona Nemmer, Head of Nutrition, on the importance of a balanced diet & sustainable protein sources, along with the benefits of Quorn for the cookery series, Red Recipes
  • Players have also been briefed and educated on the impact of meat production, & positive impact of plant-based food in comparisons, to the environment
  • Through LFC Foundation, fans have been involved in Planet Super League, via the Primary Stars programme. Additionally, through the schools’ project, #iwill youth social action, several project groups have chosen to investigate and learn more about reducing plastic waste and tackling pollution levels
  • Increasing awareness and education around key sustainability elements within the LFC workforce have been a key focus. For example, LFC partners, Standard Chartered, Carlsberg, Cadbury’s, EA Sports, Sonos, and Quorn, provided some great prizes to reward staff for learning and engaging in sustainability focussed daily quizzes. Our Partners will also be involved in our upcoming staff event this Spring 2023 at Anfield Stadium
  • Part of the development of the sustainability management system, and The Red Way strategy implementation, has been engaging internally with employees and upskilling on the sustainability/ climate change impact of their role
  • The development of a communications and engagement programme for The Red Way includes all employee training, recruitment and on-boarding to ensure all employees are aware of The Red Way, along with the implications for their role
  • Full-time and part-time staff already use online training modules in Flow for mandatory sustainability related training
  • There are allotments at Academy and at Anfield which are used for training with Academy members on diet and food sourcing. These are also used for growing vegetables which are then used by the chefs
  • At The Academy, the allotment is used extensively by the chefs. It is also being used as part of the pastoral education of the young players at Academy, to show how food is grown and then used as part of a healthy, balanced diet. This links with the nutritional advice provided by team nutritionists
  • The Club’s Red Neighbours programme has integrated environmental sustainability education into its work with local schools
  • Staff and casual workers received introduction to The Red Way
  • Functional specific detailed training has also been delivered i.e., how to build / implement sustainability criteria into departmental plans

Communication and Engagement

  • The Club’s sustainability policy/efforts are continuously reviewed, refreshed, and available on the club’s main website
  • The club actively engages fans towards positive behavioural change that reduces environmental impact in their own lives – examples include:
    • Reduction in meat consumption through promotion of Quorn, meat-free matchdays and meat-free pies
    • Minimising waste, particularly plastic through campaigns and improved signage
  • The club’s Red Neighbours programme has integrated sustainability into its work with local schools, as well as community groups
  • Through LFC Foundation’s schools project, #iwill youth social action, several project groups have chosen to investigate and learn more about reducing plastic waste and tackling pollution levels
  • Several campaigns being delivered with LFC’s partner SC Johnson to educate and raise awareness to the issues of single use plastic. The overarching objective of the partnership is to increase recycling rates by creating a unique closed-loop system that ensures all bottles collected at Anfield Stadium are being upcycled. This is resulting in considerable increases being realised in recycling rates for plastic bottles at Anfield Stadium, and has been shortlisted at this year’s Sport Industry Awards within Purpose Driven Partnership
  • The Club have also been involved in supporting the recent Green Football Weekend
  • Through LFC Foundation’s work, as part of Premier League Inspires, all participants involved created some amazing projects in response to the theme of “protecting the planet”. One of the pupils from the winning team then then went onto win an award for their social action project at the 2022 Foundation Community Awards

Sustainable Procurement

  • LFC has a sustainable procurement policy, and specific ESG supplier manual for LFC Products, which includes environmental, corruption, modern-day slavery, human trafficking, child labour and more
  • Home Bear – Won SEAL Innovative Product Award 2022:
    • 100% recycled materials
    • 59% less energy used to make recycled polyester
    • 14 recycled bottles go into the fibres
    • Certified by Global Recycled Standards
    • 70,000 bottles saved if they match last year’s sales

Sponsorship and Ownership

  • OWNERSHIP
    • Ownership: 100% by Fenway Sports Group
    • Information: Fenway Sports Group Holdings, LLC (FSG), is an American multinational sports holding conglomerate who own Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, Premier League club Liverpool F.C., and the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins. FSG was founded in 2001 as New England Sports Ventures (NESV) when John W. Henry joined forces with Tom Werner, Les Otten, The New York Times Company, and other investors to successfully bid for the Red Sox. NESV formally announced its name change to Fenway Sports Group in March 2011
    • Country: USA
    • Source of Income: Investment management/sports investment
    • Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenway_Sports_Group
  • SPONSORSHIP
    • Click link here for more information on your club’s sponsors and sustainability efforts. Scroll along the sheet to find your club, they are in alphabetical order

Information sourced directly from Liverpool F.C. staff
Information updated 14th March 2023
To see information from 2021, click here