Environmental impact and energy management of sports stadia

Worldwide focus on energy has sharpened in the last 15 years. Political, sociological, financial and environmental factors cause concern at various global, regional and domestic levels of authority and within the public’s consciousness. The built environment within the UK is a high energy user and is increasingly regulated within the UK. ‘Energy Management Systems’ allow organisations to understand their energy usage and develop strategies to reduce it. Published data from industry and academia contain data that can be utilised to set benchmarks and gain an indication on proven strategies to reduce energy within particular building types. However, the sports industry seems to have little or no mention in such literature. The finances, brand awareness and infrastructure within sport present an opportunity to not only drive its own energy consumption down, but help smaller clubs, and inspire the viewing public and other industries to bring about change through the implementation of procedures and investment in sustainable technology. The current measures being taken by sporting associations and individual clubs to reduce energy use and carbon emissions are investigated via direct contact and also through analysis of published and gathered data the cost of energy consumption is identified as 0.49%, relative to the financial outgoings of a typical English football club. It is concluded that the drive for sustainability is overly reliant on the individual club and what measures that are put in place are hampered by the increased requirements put upon them and lack of future planning in regards to ownership and payback. The example of USA and Canadian sports associations and franchises should be used as one to strive for with regards to engagement with environmental sustainability and wide reporting of issues and measures through Corporate and Social Responsibility.