Forest Green Rovers: The Greenest Football Club in the World
In celebration of Earth Day, we’re spotlighting a club that’s truly redefining what it means to go green in football. Forest Green Rovers is widely regarded as the greenest football club in the world. This small English club has gained global recognition for its groundbreaking sustainability initiatives. The team’s eco-friendly practices – from renewable energy use to vegan policies – show how football can lead on environmental responsibility.
Renewable Energy and Carbon Neutrality
Forest Green Rovers (FGR) runs on 100% renewable energy, much of it generated on-site. To begin, the stadium’s roof harnesses the sun’s power through solar panels. Charging points for electric cars are provided at the stadium to encourage sustainable travel. Additionally, the club operates a park-and-ride scheme to cut matchday car emissions. These and other green initiatives helped FGR become the first football club to achieve carbon-neutral certification under the UN’s Climate Neutral Now initiative. FIFA also recognised the team’s efforts to tackle climate change, and named FGR as “the world’s greenest football club”.
Vegan Policies and Plant-Based Diets
A cornerstone of FGR’s ethos is its 100% vegan policy. In 2015, the club removed all meat and dairy from its menus, making it the world’s first vegan football club (officially trademarked by The Vegan Society). Players, staff, and fans enjoy plant-based meals on matchdays – from vegan pies to meat-free burgers. This move wasn’t just for show. It was driven by the hefty environmental impact of livestock farming and a desire to offer healthier, cruelty-free food. The team also found that a plant-based diet can improve player performance and well-beingg. FGR’s bold stance on veganism has inspired many supporters to embrace plant-based lifestyles, reinforcing the club’s influence beyond the pitch.
Eco-Friendly Kits and Green Merchandise
Forest Green Rovers has innovated by developing eco-friendly kits and merchandise. Traditional polyester football shirts shed plastic microfibers, so FGR switched to sustainable materials. Recent jerseys have been made using bamboo fibers and recycled coffee grounds, drastically cutting plastic use. For example, FGR designed the 2022/23 home kit using fabric made from used coffee bean waste. For the away kit, the club blended in 50% bamboo fibers to reduce synthetic materials. They also replaced traditional plastic shin pads with bamboo alternatives, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable gear from head to toe. By removing virgin plastics from its kit and retail items, the club reduces waste and sets a new standard for sustainable sports apparel.
Green Stadium Initiatives
FGR’s home ground, known as The New Lawn (currently The Innocent New Lawn through a green partnership), is a showcase of sustainable technology. The pitch is organic, kept lush without any chemical pesticides. A solar-powered robot lawnmower, nicknamed the “mow bot,” trims the pitch using GPS to cut the grass with zero emissions. Forest Green Rovers also installed a comprehensive water recycling system that collects rainwater from the stands and pitch, then reuses it for irrigation. The club converts waste cooking oil from concessions into biofuel. On top of that, they have eliminated all single-use plastics from the stadium.
Forest Green Rovers is looking to the future with bold plans for a new all-wooden stadium called Eco Park. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the stadium will be the first modern football venue built almost entirely from timber. Forest Green Rovers demonstrates that even a small club can make a big difference through sustainability. Its initiatives in renewable energy, vegan practices, eco-friendly kits, and green stadium operations have earned praise from FIFA and the UN, and serve as an inspiration for sports teams globally. In an era when climate action is urgent, FGR stands out as a pioneering champion of change – truly living up to the title of the greenest football club in the world.
Curious about another great example of sustainability in football? Discover how Liverpool FC is going green with their ‘Red Way’ initiative.
