Worcester Warriors will demonstrate that a large sporting event can be run sustainably when Saracens visit Sixways on Saturday April 30 for the club’s first #converttozero match.
The Gallagher Premiership match will showcase Warriors’ commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible consumption and also help to educate supporters about the changes they can make to help tackle climate change.
Warriors will encourage supporters to travel to the match by public transport wherever possible or to car share with additional buses on the Sixways Shuttle service, reduced on-site car parking and collaborating with Saracens to offer their supporters travel by electric coaches.
Locally sourced or vegan food will be available on the day and Warriors will work closely with the club’s partners and sponsors to showcase their green credentials in all advertising.
The matchday programme will be become an online-only production for the Saracens match.
“As a Premiership club we are in a position to lead change by setting an example and educating the large audience we can reach,” said Gené Willis, Warriors Sustainability Lead.
“We aspire to educate not just our staff and players, but also our supporters and the wider community on the importance of sustainability and how to achieve it.
“Small changes can have a big impact. If every visitor to the #converttozero match takes away at least one small, achievable idea to implement in their own lives then collectively we can make a difference.”
Warriors are already the first professional rugby club in Europe to sign up to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action. As a signatory to the UN Framework Warriors are part of the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, and are committed to reducing Green House Gas emissions by at least 45 per cent by 2030 and be net zero by 2040 and publishing an annual emissions report.
“The planning and delivery of this sustainable match will provide real-world learnings and data that can be shared,” Willis said.
“Using the knowledge, evidence and ideas gathered we can shape a blueprint for how rugby clubs and sports venues in general can reduce their carbon footprint on match days.
“Crucially, this event will also demonstrate to fans that an amazing matchday experience is possible in a sustainable way.”
