Bristol City Women have retained their title of Champions of the Pledgeball League for the 2023/24 season, further solidifying their position as pioneers of sustainability in sport. This prestigious achievement for the Women’s team recognises the incredible efforts made by the club and their fans to take action to #ProtectWhereWePlay through the Pledgeball initiative.
As a result of this win, the club have also bagged themselves £15,000 worth of sustainability consulting from global sustainability company RSK.
The Pledgeball League is an initiative that invites football fans to make environmentally conscious pledges supporting their favourite clubs. The actions collectively contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of entire fanbases, something that has a huge impact: did you know that 1 Ashton Gate’s worth of fans switching to a green energy supplier equates to taking over 3320 cars off the road and if all the their X (formally known as Twitter) followers use an eBike instead of driving for journeys around the city, it will equate to taking 2696 cars off the road. Thanks to the significant engagement of their supporters who pledged to save 65,831kg CO2e, equating to 15.7 cars off the road.
Bristol City Women’s match against Birmingham City saw fans pledge to save a whopping 168,627 kg CO2e which is the equivalent to taking 40 cars off the road!
Peter Smith, Head of Change and Sustainability at Bristol City said: “We’re delighted that our fans have won yet another Pledgeball trophy. The club is working hard to reduce our impact but it’s wonderful to see fans making positive change in their everyday lives too.
“Extreme weather caused by climate change is a major threat to sport. Over 62,000 amateur football matches are now postponed every year in the UK due to the weather. Professional sport is also being impacted – in the last 18 months we’ve had US Open tennis games postponed due to extreme heat, F1 races cancelled due to flooding and Olympic triathlons moved due to water quality. Sport at all levels relies on the environment.”
As part of the wider Bristol Sports Group, Bristol City Women has taken the lead in sustainability, demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. As the only EFL club with Green Code status, Bristol City has pioneered several initiatives that showcase its dedication to tackling climate change locally and nationally.
Katie Cross, CEO of Pledgeball, said, “Congratulations to the title holders! This win is remarkable and means so much to the entire Pledgeball community. Bristol City Women fans are once again leading the charge, and as pioneers, the impact they have had beyond the club and the city is incredible. Thank you for your support.’
Bristol City Women’s triumph in the Pledgeball League reflects the broader sustainability commitment of the entire Bristol Sporting Group. The club’s leadership has earned them the 2023 EFL Green Club of the Year and 2022 Football Supporters’ Association Climate Action Award.
Key Sustainability Initiatives:
● Carbon Reduction: 750m2 of solar panels power Ashton Gate, 50% of matchday food is sourced locally, and 11 plant-based options are offered. EV charging points and heat pumps are also installed at the training grounds.
● Waste Management: Zero-to-landfill policy at Ashton Gate and the training grounds. Leftover food is donated to homeless shelters, and materials are repurposed, like benches made from recycled matchday cups.
● Water Conservation: Low-flow taps and sensors help save water. A 2024 urinal upgrade is expected to conserve 18 million litres annually.
● Biodiversity: Ashton Gate features wildflower areas, while the training grounds have vegetable plots, habitat piles, and wildlife-friendly installations. Fans receive wildflower seeds at selected matches.
● Air Quality: Cycling to matches increased by 21%, while matchday bus travel expanded by 33%, transporting fans over 400,000 km.
Bristol City Women’s victory in the Pledgeball League showcases their leading role in sports sustainability, inspiring action across the community and reducing environmental impact at every level.
