Edgbaston lands sustainability awards after Go Green Game success

Edgbaston has landed three prestigious sustainability awards following a summer that saw the stadium host the country’s first ever sustainable Major Match.

The Club was named Team of the Year by judges at the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) Awards in recognition of its England vs New Zealand Go Green Game.

It was the first sustainable game of its kind in UK cricket and saw a focus on cutting emissions across all scopes of the stadium’s footprint.

With spectator transport contributing around 80 per cent of match-day emissions, Edgbaston joined forces with National Express West Midlands to offer free bus travel for ticket holders to and from the ground for the 3 September IT20.

More spectators than ever before used public transport to reach Edgbaston for the game – and it’s resulted in Edgbaston also winning the BASIS award for Partnership of the Year.

Dom Jordan, General Manager BASIS, said: “Our awards celebrate the vital sustainability work going on the sports sector and recognises the organisations, teams and individuals who excel and drive sustainability change.

“We had a record number of nominations this year, the competition was stronger than ever, making it even more of an achievement for Edgbaston to walk away with two coveted awards.

“Given the location of Edgbaston Stadium away from major public transport networks, spectator travel has been the largest sustainability challenge.

“Other organisations might have despaired and declared the issue insurmountable due to infrastructure constraints – but Edgbaston initiated a series of projects and partnerships to meet the challenge.

“As a result of the partnership with National Express West Midlands, spectators are moving to public transport in impressive numbers.”

More than 3,600 fans arrived on a free shuttle bus service from New Street station – with around 2,400 on the return leg – while almost 1,000 fans travelled for free on other National Express West Midlands services.

During the Go Green Game:

• Edgbaston was powered exclusively by wind, hydro and solar energy.
• Grounds staff used electric mowers and rollers.
• Food packaging was made from compostable seaweed.
• Spectator 4 and 6 cards were printed on seed paper that fans were encouraged to take home and plant to grow wildflowers.
• No red meat was served in the stadium.
• Spectators played their part by signing up for stints on pitch-side energy bikes which, when pedalled, charged up Edgbaston’s electric road sweeper.

The Go Green Game is another step towards Edgbaston’s commitment to become a carbon Net Zero business by 2030 which is part of its Edgbaston 4 Sustainability pledge.

Tim Bullock, Head of Strategic Partnerships at National Express, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with Edgbaston Stadium and their Go Green Game was a fantastic opportunity to increase people’s consideration of public modes of transport.

“It was great to see so many fans using our services to reach the stadium on the day and we hope more people are feeling encouraged to switch to our sustainable modes of transport to get around.” 

Edgbaston also won an International Silver Green Apple Environment Award in the Carbon Reduction category for its Edgbaston 4 Sustainability campaign at the prestigious awards ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament.

The award – run by the Green Organisation to promote environmental best practice around the world – also entitles Edgbaston to represent the UK in the Green World Environment Awards next year.

Edgbaston’s Sustainability Manager, Lydia Carrington said: “We’re really pleased by how the day went and we’re now analysing all emissions data from the game to see how much we saved compared to our baseline footprint from a match in 2022.

“I am so proud of the team at Edgbaston for showcasing all the fantastic work we are doing and delighted this has been recognised by BASIS with these two awards and with the Green Apple award.”