Following a clear commitment to tackle climate change, Aberdeen FC has appointed Manchester based consultancy, Positive Planet, as its first net zero advisory partner.
The club has set a target of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and recently added its signature to the UN Sports for Climate Change framework, underlining its intent to become carbon neutral.
Positive Planet, a consultancy which helps organisations achieve their sustainability goals, will work with the club over three seasons to develop a strategy to ensure it can live up to this commitment.
This sustainability strategy will be informed by the club’s current carbon footprint. Positive Planet will provide an independent measurement of the current emissions and then, working closely with all parts of the club, from stadium and football operations, commercial and corporate hospitality through to fan engagement and travel, develop a plan to reduce its impact on the environment. The plan will comprise short, medium and longer term goals which will be validated by the Science Based Target Institute.
The organisation has agreed to offset the associated costs in exchange for becoming an official club partner with a programme of commensurate benefits.
Founder of Positive Planet, Stephen Henry, said: ‘As a passionate football supporter, I am very aware of the influential role football clubs can play in the communities they serve. I have worked closely with clubs from Premier League teams to grass roots football clubs – successfully helping them to get leaner, cleaner and greener.
‘We started Positive Planet with the aim of building the UK’s largest community of responsible businesses and organisations taking actions to reduce their emissions. We partner with organisations who can have a broader impact than simply reducing their own emissions and we are delighted to add Aberdeen FC to this community.’
Positive Planet provides solutions for businesses and organisations who are looking to take responsible action to reduce their climate impact. The consultancy has a suite of business applications which are designed to simplify their pathways to net zero. From carbon footprint measurement, emissions reduction planning, employee training and stakeholder engagement and programme delivery, it delivers innovative ways to turn intent into impact.
Commenting on the partnership, AFC’s commercial director, Rob Wicks, added: ‘Following a competitive tender process, we appointed Positive Planet to carry out this vital work. It presented the most compelling proposal which offered the expertise and experience we need coupled with an attractive, cost effective way to deliver our goals.
‘The company recognises that our internal and external stakeholders, including our supporters, will be key to our success and will involve them and, where necessary, give them the skills and understanding to make change that help us all protect the planet.’