Leicester Nirvana FC won the prestigious Partnership of the Year Award at the BASIS Awards for their trailblazing collaboration with De Montfort University (DMU) and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Academic Impact Hub. Together, they are driving Leicester Nirvana’s ambition to become the UK’s first grassroots football club to achieve net zero carbon emissions. This partnership is unique, not only in the UK but globally, as DMU is one of just 17 universities worldwide hosting an SDG Academic Impact Hub. The club has leveraged this partnership to educate and engage its ethnically diverse community in environmental sustainability and the SDG agenda.
The Challenge: Measuring and Reducing Carbon Emissions
Leicester Nirvana FC’s mission to become a net zero football club required a thorough assessment of its carbon emissions across all operations. This groundbreaking collaboration allowed the club to pioneer the measurement of its environmental impact and identify areas for improvement.
- Findings: The club’s assessment revealed that energy use, particularly gas and electricity, accounted for 70% of emissions, while travel emissions, mainly from players and their families, contributed 27%. This data was compiled through a comprehensive travel survey completed by club members to accurately calculate their overall carbon footprint.
- Action: Leicester Nirvana’s proactive approach to evaluating its emissions set a new standard for amateur sports clubs, demonstrating the potential for grassroots organisations to take meaningful steps toward sustainability.
Sustainable Impact
Leicester Nirvana’s partnership with DMU has led to several significant sustainable outcomes that highlight the club’s leadership in environmental stewardship:
- Carbon Emission Reduction: By identifying key emission sources, Leicester Nirvana can now take targeted action to reduce its environmental impact. This includes exploring ways to reduce energy consumption and promote more sustainable travel practices among its members.
- Community Engagement: The club’s “Green Goals” event, part of the Leicester Business Festival, allowed Leicester Nirvana to share its findings with local stakeholders, inspiring other clubs, businesses, and organisations to take part in the net zero agenda. This open exchange of information has raised awareness and fostered collaboration within the community.
- SDG Integration: The involvement of DMU students in club activities, such as presentation days and the women and girls football festival, has helped spread awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These fun, interactive initiatives have empowered both players and fans to embrace a culture of sustainability.
Leicester Nirvana has demonstrated environmental accountability through the creation of a net zero policy and net zero strategy, both of which directly align with the UN SDGs. These efforts culminated in the release of the groundbreaking report, “Embedding SDGs Across Grassroots Football.” This report highlights the club’s focus on reducing carbon emissions and inequalities, positioning Leicester Nirvana as a role model for other grassroots clubs across the UK.
Positive Impact on Sport
The Leicester Nirvana-DMU partnership has had a transformative impact on sport, particularly in demonstrating the role that sustainability practices can play within grassroots football:
- International Collaboration: Leicester Nirvana’s work in sustainability has gained interest worldwide. Universities from Africa, Spain, and Germany have reached out to DMU, seeking to be part of the project. Additionally, the club has formed a sustainability partnership with German club SG Eintracht Pietz in Berlin and met with FC Internationale Berlin, which shares a commitment to eradicating racism in football while promoting sustainability.
- Global Recognition: Leicester Nirvana’s efforts were presented during the third Football for the Goals members’ meeting in January 2024, which included updates to UN regional directors from across the world. This exposure has helped elevate the club’s profile, positioning it as a global advocate for sustainability in football.
- Wider Sports Community Engagement: The club’s environmental leadership has led to Leicester Nirvana featuring in key publications such as the Football and Climate newsletter, where their article became the most read of the year, and the Global Sustainable Sport newsletter, which reaches over 2,000 subscribers. These features have broadened the club’s reach, solidifying its reputation as a climate champion in football.
Education and Empowerment
Leicester Nirvana’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the club to the wider community. Through partnerships with DMU and the UN SDG Hub, the club has been actively involved in raising awareness about the intersection of sport and climate action.
- Knowledge Sharing: The club regularly presents at various forums, including a Sported webinar where they shared their sustainability journey with member groups across the UK. Additionally, their local FA has requested permission to circulate Leicester Nirvana’s report to other County FAs to encourage more clubs to follow their blueprint.
- Empowering Members: By engaging its members in sustainability initiatives and educating them about the SDGs, Leicester Nirvana is nurturing a generation of players and fans who are environmentally conscious and committed to taking action. The club is empowering its community to become ambassadors for environmental leadership, promoting sustainable practices not only within the club but also beyond.
Leicester Nirvana’s Legacy: From Poverty to Empowerment
Leicester Nirvana’s sustainability journey is deeply rooted in its history. Established in the early 1980s in one of Leicester’s most deprived areas, the club overcame significant socio-economic and racial challenges to become a beacon of empowerment for its community. The partnership with DMU and the UN SDG Hub highlights the incredible distance the club has travelled, from its origins in poverty to becoming a leader in sustainability.
Today, Leicester Nirvana is at the forefront of sustainability in football, having:
- Presented their findings to the United Nations
- Delivered interviews and podcasts on the subject of sustainability in sport
- Developed and published comprehensive reports on how grassroots football can contribute to the UN’s SDGs.
Conclusion
Leicester Nirvana FC’s partnership with DMU and the UN SDG Academic Impact Hub represents a pioneering effort to drive sustainability within grassroots football. Their ambition to become the UK’s first net zero grassroots football club, combined with their efforts to reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness about environmental responsibility, has set a new standard for sports clubs nationwide and globally.
This collaboration has not only had a profound impact on Leicester Nirvana and its community but has also established the club as a leader in the global movement toward sustainability in sport. By generously sharing their findings and experiences, Leicester Nirvana is helping to inspire and advise other clubs and organisations, creating a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship in football.
