Study Highlights Grassroots Football’s Role in Combating Climate Change

Key Takeaways

University of Bath students collaborate with Bath City FC to explore low-cost decarbonization options for community football.
Initial measures have already reduced emissions by 4% and saved £1,250 annually by replacing floodlights with LED systems.
A longer-term plan could cut emissions by 75% and save over £500,000 in 15 years through phased energy efficiency and renewable initiatives.

Community Football’s Role in Climate Action

The University of Bath, in partnership with Bath City FC, is pioneering a project that aims to reduce carbon emissions within local football clubs. As criticism of international football’s carbon footprint grows, this initiative showcases how grassroots teams can contribute to climate change mitigation.

Researchers utilized actual data from Bath City FC to identify affordable, practical strategies for decarbonization and highlight long-term investments that could overhaul energy usage in local clubs. Their initial recommendations led to the club replacing outdated floodlights with energy-efficient LED systems, achieving a reduction of approximately 1.25 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equating to about 4% of the club’s total energy-related emissions. This change has also resulted in annual savings of £1,250.

Building on this groundwork, a team of third-year Electronic and Electrical Engineering students has produced a comprehensive plan to further reduce emissions. Their roadmap suggests that Bath City FC could achieve up to a 75% decrease in carbon emissions while saving more than £500,000 over a 15-year period. This will be accomplished through a phased approach that integrates energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy generation.

Oliver Bostock, a PhD researcher at the University of Bath, explained the unique energy profile of football clubs, noting that while they consume significant amounts of energy on matchdays, their lower weekly usage presents a noteworthy opportunity for implementing green technologies. By harnessing these technologies, clubs like Bath City FC can not only lower their own emissions but also contribute energy back to the local grid during off-peak times.

The project began as a student-led feasibility study with Bath City FC, a community-owned club based in Twerton. Its scope has now expanded to a broader initiative focused on empowering smaller organizations to transition to low-carbon energy systems. The multidisciplinary student team has developed a pragmatic roadmap tailored to the financial realities faced by such clubs. Their recommendations include sequential adoption of technologies like battery energy storage systems, solar panels, air source heat pumps, and electric vehicle chargers.

PhD researcher Nico Ostler Baraona acknowledged the significant challenge posed by the upfront investments required for new infrastructure. However, he emphasized that the solutions identified through this project are both realistic and achievable, offering a pathway for smaller clubs to implement necessary changes.

Professor Furong Li, academic supervisor for the initiative, praised the students’ commitment and energy, noting that the project has evolved from a basic study into a meaningful collaborative effort that could generate impactful decarbonization solutions.

Furthermore, Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, highlighted the vital support from Bath City FC’s leadership, which has facilitated the students’ engagement with real-world challenges. The initiative aims not only to benefit the club but also to deliver lasting value to the broader community in Bath.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand their work through a Vertically Integrated Project, further strengthening ties between the university and local organizations while promoting the adoption of low-carbon energy systems. This project exemplifies the potential for grassroots football clubs to address environmental concerns and contribute positively to the sustainability discussion at the community level.

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