The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a significant step towards promoting sustainability in the sport by publishing an Environmental Sustainability Plan for Cricket and becoming the first national governing body in cricket to sign up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. The framework encourages sports organizations to make commitments such as halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2040.
By joining the UN program, the ECB joins a list of prestigious members including Gloucestershire and Surrey county clubs, Melbourne Cricket Club, and the Lawn Tennis Association. More than 200 sporting and broadcasting organizations worldwide have already pledged their commitment to the initiative.
Dr Russell Seymour, chair of the British Association for Sustainable Sport, commended the ECB for its commitment to sustainability and emphasized that signing the UN commitment demonstrates leadership and transparency. He also emphasized the importance of taking action to follow through on the commitments made.
To coincide with this announcement, the ECB has released its updated Environmental Sustainability Plan for Cricket, which acknowledges the threat that climate change poses to the sport and commits to reducing environmental impacts. The plan outlines specific targets, including developing an emissions reduction plan, working towards halving emissions by 2030, and achieving net zero emissions by 2040. The ECB will also provide annual progress reports starting from 2025.
In addition to these goals, the plan includes several other sustainability initiatives. The ECB will offset emissions that cannot be reduced, collaborate with venues on climate adaptation projects, and provide guidance and training to enhance drought resilience at grounds and clubhouses. The organization is also committed to promoting sustainable travel and adopting sustainable procurement practices.
ECB CEO Richard Gould expressed his hope that the organization would continue to reduce its impact on the environment and inspire positive change. He emphasized the responsibility of the ECB to consider the environmental consequences of its activities, whether it be traveling for matches or hosting international events.
Kathy Gibbs, sustainability manager at the ECB, highlighted the vulnerability of cricket to climate change and stressed the importance of ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy the sport by mitigating the risks of flooding, drought, pollution, and extreme heat.
Gibbs mentioned that the ECB is building on its past sustainability efforts, which include significant investments in sustainability measures and grants to county teams for various environmental initiatives. She emphasized the key principle of the Environmental Sustainability Plan, which is that every action counts.
The release of the ECB’s sustainability plan follows the introduction of extreme heat regulations after record-breaking temperatures during the 2022 summer. The organization acknowledges the need to adapt to the changing climate and protect the sport for the future.
Overall, this new sustainability plan and the commitment to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework demonstrate the ECB’s dedication to addressing climate change and promoting environmentally-friendly practices within the sport. The organization aims to lead by example and inspire other cricket institutions and stakeholders to follow suit.
