Edgbaston staging first sustainable international match day
It's for the Men’s Vitality IT20 against New Zealand today
Edgbaston Stadium are staging the first sustainable international match day, for England's game against New Zealand today.
The aim is to drive down emissions and the match’s carbon footprint, whilst aiming to raise sustainability awareness amongst fans and the wider community.
It’s the first sustainable game of its kind in UK cricket and will see a focus on cutting emissions across all scopes of the ground’s footprint.
Spectators are encouraged to use public transport and the Club is working with National Express West Midlands to provide additional services and free travel for ticket holders on the company’s buses across the region.
There will be a free National Express West Midlands shuttle from Birmingham New Street station, plus wider sustainable transport options made available, including extra cycle racks.
More volunteers will be positioned on walking and cycle routes to direct people to the ground and there will be improved signage from the city centre.
The stadium has also secured a mix of solar, wind and hydro power for September, to ensure preparation days, matchday and clean-up days for the IT20 are covered by locally sourced renewable energy.
Spectators will also be able to ride energy bikes at the stadium, to help power machinery and food will be sourced from the stadium's allotment.
Warwickshire and England cricketer Chris Woakes says it's an important step: " We also need to do our piece, climate change is having an impact on the world and specifically on cricket.
"Anything that we can do to help improve that and create a better future for us all is an amazing thing."
Edgbaston’s Sustainability Manager Lydia Carrington said the stadium is committed on a path towards a Net Zero future.
She said: “It’s part of our Edgbaston 4 Sustainability pledge because we want to operate the most sustainable cricket stadium in the UK.
“There will be improved recycling facilities at the game, and increased vegetarian and vegan food, plus we’re working with the ECB to minimize the environmental impact of players."