Plymouth Argyle’s players have yet to return home after their FA Cup match against Manchester City on Saturday, as the club continues its commitment to environmentally conscious travel. Instead of flying back, the team will stay on the road to face Hull City on Tuesday evening. This decision reflects a broader initiative to reduce football-related carbon emissions, which are significant—Premier League clubs alone generate 56.7 tonnes of CO2e per season, with 85% of emissions linked to air travel. Plymouth is among 14 clubs that have signed a new charter pledging to adopt greener practices.
“It does feel big,” says Katie Cross, CEO of Pledgeball, an organization promoting sustainability in football. “When we launched this in 2023, only six clubs were involved. The goal was to reduce domestic flights in English football, and we needed it to grow organically.” Cross highlights that the participation of 14 clubs, including several in the Championship, demonstrates the growing importance of sustainability in the sport—driven largely by passionate individuals within these organizations.
Plymouth Argyle, under chairman Simon Hallett, has been a leader in this movement. Cross describes the club as “amazing in terms of culture,” with a unique revenue model that prioritizes values over commercial gains. Over the past two years, the club has nearly halved its emissions through initiatives like installing solar panels, harvesting rainwater, and switching to digital ticketing and electric vehicles.
Christian Kent, Plymouth’s head of conferencing and events, emphasizes the importance of small, consistent steps. “If Formula 1, one of the biggest polluters in sport, can aim for net zero by 2030, football can do the same,” he says. For Plymouth, sustainability is a core value that starts at the top, with Hallett and CEO Andrew Parkinson fostering a culture that permeates the entire organization.
Captain Joe Edwards, who joined the club six years ago, has embraced this ethos. He acknowledges the logistical challenges of playing for a club based in Plymouth but sees them as part of what makes the club special. “We know we’re affecting the carbon footprint, so we want to take responsibility and play our part,” he says. The team’s decision to stay up north between fixtures, despite the costs, is a testament to their commitment.
However, not all players find extended travel easy—especially those with families. Edwards, a father of twin boys, notes that his children’s education on environmental issues has deepened his own commitment. “When you have a young family, you want the safest and cleanest environment for them,” he says.
Plymouth does occasionally take flights but strives to limit them. “We don’t need to fly to every game,” Edwards explains. Cross, meanwhile, highlights the broader issue of short-haul flights in football, which she describes as a “bizarre situation.” She believes that visible actions, like reducing flights, can have a powerful impact on fans and the sport as a whole. “Over 80% of fans are concerned about climate change,” she says. “They want their clubs to act but feel hesitant to speak up.”
Cross emphasizes that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. “We don’t need everyone to be perfect. What we need is for everyone to do what they can,” she says. Players like Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong, who openly discusses the challenges of reducing emissions within the football system, serve as role models.
The Sustainable Travel Charter has already seen significant uptake, with clubs like Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, and Forest Green Rovers joining Plymouth in committing to greener practices. Cross hopes this will create a “new norm” in football, much like the smoking ban transformed public spaces. “Very quickly, it could become the standard,” she says. “Clubs like Plymouth are showing there’s another way.”
For now, supporters can watch Hull City vs. Plymouth Argyle live on Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app on Tuesday night, as the team continues its pioneering journey toward sustainability.
