Liverpool Football Club
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021-2023, 2022-2023)
Reporting Period: 2021-2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:160,147 tCO2e (Scope 3 in 21/22)
Scope 1 Emissions:285 tCO2e (21/22)
Scope 2 Emissions:0 tCO2e (21/22)
Scope 3 Emissions:160,147 tCO2e (21/22)
Renewable Energy Share:100% (electricity)
ESG Focus Areas
- People
- Planet
- Communities
Environmental Achievements
- Implemented 100% clean energy at all LFC sites, preventing 2,636 tonnes of carbon emissions
- 98% hand-back rate for reusable cups on match days (up from 20% in 2021)
- Switched to 100% carbon neutral, recyclable, and degradable sugarpoly packaging bags, removing over 1.6 million non-degradable virgin plastic products
- 60% reduction in carbon emissions across fuel and electricity since 2019
- 90% reduction in carbon emissions from team buses using HVO fuel
Social Achievements
- LFC Foundation contributed £80.17m to the Liverpool City Region (social return on investment of over £16.36 for every £1 invested)
- Awarded Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion standard for the fifth year running
- 14,874 total training hours delivered between June 2021 and May 2022
- LFC Foundation MOVE Programme worked with over 140 young people, providing more than 250 group and one-to-one sessions
- Successful implementation of the Creative Works programme with the LFC Foundation resulting in 30 graduates and 1 job offer
Governance Achievements
- Only Premier League Club to be ISO20121, ISO50001 & ISO45001 certified
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net zero by 2040
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce operational carbon emissions by 50% by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- By 2025, 100% of club operations to run on low carbon and clean energy sources
Environmental Challenges
- Significant carbon impact of fans (travel and streaming)
- Reducing overall waste
Mitigation Strategies
- Initial estimate of carbon impact of virtual fan impact using data from The Carbon Trust
- Working with SC Johnson to reduce overall waste by 10% every season
- Promoting active and sustainable travel options
- Engaging with suppliers to align with LFC net zero targets
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Working with partners to align with LFC net zero targets and improve sustainability standards
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: ISO20121, UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, UN Race to Zero
Certifications: ISO20121, ISO50001, ISO45001
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 14 UN SDGs
Awards & Recognition
- SEAL Environmental Initiative Award
Reporting Period: 2022-2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:75,142 tCO2e/year (including 12,915 tCO2e from fan travel)
Renewable Energy Share:94%
ESG Focus Areas
- Our People
- Our Planet
- Our Communities
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved carbon neutrality across scopes 1 and 2 for the third consecutive year (PAS 2060 verified).
- 94% of club operations run on clean energy.
- Increased recycling rates of plastic bottles at Anfield from 25% to 90%.
- 90% of LFC Distribution Centre packaging and materials aligned to sustainability guidelines.
- Reached 90% waste recycled, composted, or anaerobically digested; 100% diversion from landfill.
- 35% of products in the LFC Retail range eliminated non-sustainable materials and packaging.
- Reduced team flights by 37% compared to the previous year.
- Converted LFC team buses to 100% HVO biofuel, reducing emissions by up to 90%.
Social Achievements
- Achieved Advanced Level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.
- Supported over 123,000 people through LFC Foundation programmes.
- LFC Foundation contributed over £87.68m social value, generating £13.36 for every £1 spent.
- 768 people attended LFC Foundation employability programme sessions.
- Increased fan awareness of The Red Way by 5% from 2021/22.
- Engaged with 316 Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs.
Governance Achievements
- First and only Premier League club certified to ISO 20121 (sustainability management system) for two years in a row.
- Maintained ISO 45001 (health and safety) and ISO 50001 (energy) certifications.
- Established Sustainability Steering Committee chaired by the Commercial Director.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Medium-term Goals:
- 50% reduction in annual carbon emissions by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
- 10% reduction in overall waste annually.
- 100% of operations running on clean energy by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- Reducing emissions across the supply chain and in areas outside of direct control.
- Securing sustainable aviation fuel for domestic and international team flights.
- Engaging with all 3,000+ suppliers on their sustainability commitments.
Mitigation Strategies
- Implementing a plan to engage with the supply chain on climate ambitions.
- Surveying suppliers to determine their sustainability ambitions and commitments.
- Initiating energy and carbon management plans.
- Improving measurement of emissions and practices around colleague and team travel.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Sustainable Procurement Code
- Semi-announced factory audits (Licensing)
- REACH documents compliance (Licensing)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, PAS 2060, ISO 20121, ISO 45001, ISO 50001
Certifications: ISO 20121, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, PAS 2060
Third-party Assurance: BSI
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 14 UN SDGs
The Red Way is aligned to 14 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Home kit bear made from 100% recycled materials
- Cycling jersey made from recycled yarn
- Wooden toys
Awards & Recognition
- Sustainability award winner at the Football Business Awards 2023
- Best Sports Community Scheme (LFC Foundation)
- Environmental Initiative Award and Sustainable Product Award at SEAL 2022 Business Sustainability Awards
- Ranked as the most sustainable football club in Europe’s top 5 leagues