The CRed (Carbon Reduction Programme) inspired Save Your Energy for the Blues campaign, run with energy giant E.ON, Ipswich Town Football Club and Ipswich Borough Council, has won a prestigious Sponsorship Industry Award. And it all comes down to three boffins sharing a pint!
Against stiff opposition from BT and British Gas, the project, which culminated in Ipswich Town Football Club becoming the world's first carbon neutral football club, won the Charity, Community and Environment Award presented by Richard Williams, Director of Enterprise at the National Council of Volunteer Organisations.
CRed Programme Manager, Dr Simon Gerrard, said: "It is particularly satisfying to be recognised for this unique project. Most organisations achieve carbon neutrality through activities such as tree planting. We helped inspire several thousand football fans to make carbon reduction commitments and by tracking and monitoring progress we were able to offset the remaining carbon dioxide once the football club had reduced as much as it could first."
The original idea of involving football, and particularly the allegiance fans have to their local club, to inspire action on carbon reduction came about through a discussion in an Ipswich pub. Having formulated the notion over a pint, Dr Matthew Ling from Ipswich Borough Council and Cred's Simon Gerrard and Marcus Armes progressed the venture through funds awarded through defra Climate Challenge Fund. The total carbon dioxide savings amounted to 3,600 tonnes, which offset the club's annual emissions with around 300 tonnes to spare.
The Save Your Energy for the Blues campaign ran for the 2006-07 season. The principle behind it of engaging fans in attitude and behaviour change has been taken forward in a partnership between the UEA based CRed Programme and E.ON for the whole of the FA Cup. The carbonfootyprint.com campaign is aiming to create a carbon neutral FA Cup competition including armchair fans watching on TV. Part of that project is the creation of a prototype carbon league which it is hoped will be rolled out next year for all clubs. With around 60-70% of emissions arising from travel, getting fans to consider alternative forms of travel including car sharing, bus and train travel is an important factor in reducing carbon emissions.