Liverpool Football Club (LFC) has claimed the English Premier League (EPL) title for the 2024-25 season, continuing its impressive form on the field. Off the pitch, the club is also making waves as a leader in sustainability efforts, positioning itself as one of the greenest football clubs in Europe.
As fans cheer their goals and victories, the club is also scoring major points in its mission to cut carbon emissions and adopt environmentally friendly practices. Through ‘The Red Way‘ strategy, Liverpool aims to reduce its environmental footprint and set new standards for sustainability in the world of elite football.
The Red Way: Liverpool’s Blueprint for Sustainability
Liverpool FC’s journey to sustainability officially began in 2021 with the launch of The Red Way. It is the club’s award-winning strategy to minimize its environmental impact.
The plan focuses on three pillars: people, planet, and communities. It aligns with 16 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. On the environmental front, Liverpool has set clear targets:
- Halve operational carbon emissions by 2030
- Achieve net zero by 2040
- Achieve carbon neutrality in merchandising by 2030
In its 2023–24 Red Way report, the club outlined key achievements:
- 96% of all energy at club sites came from renewable or low-carbon sources
- Football operations emissions were 100% offset
- Overall carbon emissions fell 12.5% compared to 2022–23
- A 15% reduction in emissions from its 2019–20 baseline
In transportation, LFC invested in Sustainable Aviation Fuel to eliminate all emissions from domestic flights. Its team buses are powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, cutting emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel.
The club worked on biodiversity and planted over 1,000 trees and hedges. They also added honeybee habitats with 60,000 bees. Plus, they grew half a tonne of food for their kitchens.
The legendary Anfield pitch is now fully recyclable. Old turf is repurposed into benches and other materials for community projects like the orchard at the AXA Training Centre.
The club’s operations have been recognized through ISO certifications:
- ISO20121 (sustainability management)
- ISO45001 (health and safety)
- ISO50001 (energy management)
Liverpool has committed to global efforts by signing the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and the UN’s Race to Zero. They pledge to cut emissions in half by 2030 and aim for net zero “as soon as possible.”
A Game-Changing Collaboration: Direct Air Capture with 1PointFive
In 2025, Liverpool strengthened its sustainability efforts. It partnered with 1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental that focuses on Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology.
Under this collaboration, LFC calculates the carbon footprint of its merchandise — from production to delivery — and purchases carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits to offset those emissions.
DAC is a cutting-edge solution that removes CO₂ directly from the atmosphere. Liverpool’s purchased credits are tied to STRATOS. This facility will be the largest DAC in the world that can capture 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
According to LFC Chief Commercial Officer Ben Latty:
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at the club. Through The Red Way, we are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and driving positive change for our people, planet, and communities.”
This innovative step positions Liverpool as one of the first clubs to embed carbon removal directly into fan merchandise. Beyond offsetting, it also encourages supporters to make carbon-conscious choices, deepening fan engagement on climate action.
How Liverpool Compares: Sustainability Efforts of Rival Clubs
Liverpool FC is seen as one of the leaders in football when it comes to protecting the environment. But Liverpool is not alone. Two of its biggest Premier League rivals, Manchester City and Arsenal, are also working hard to make their clubs more environmentally friendly.
Manchester City’s Sustainability Initiatives
Manchester City has added many green actions to its Etihad Campus. Like Liverpool, it signed the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and promised to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.
The club uses 100% renewable electricity in its stadium and buildings. It has installed over 10,000 solar panels at the City Football Academy and the Joie Stadium. Man City is also strong in waste management. It sends zero waste to landfills and recycles over 90% of waste on matchdays.
To cut travel emissions, the club encourages fans to take public transport or bike to games. The club’s buildings use energy-saving lights and water-saving systems. In 2023, Manchester City won the Sustainability Team of the Year award at the Football Business Awards for all these efforts.
Arsenal FC’s Green Efforts
Arsenal FC is another club known for its green leadership. It was the first Premier League club to put in a large battery storage system at its Emirates Stadium. This system stores extra renewable energy for later use.
The club aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. It has an interim goal of reducing Scope 1 and 3 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 emissions intensity by 52% by 2030, versus 2021 levels.
Like Manchester City, Arsenal uses 100% renewable electricity to power its Emirates Stadium and low-carbon gas to lower emissions. It has installed a 3MW battery storage system.
The club has cut down on single-use plastics in food stands, drink areas, and its shops. It also runs projects like tree planting and wildlife protection to help nature near the club.
Between 2019 and 2023, Arsenal cut its operational emissions by 20%. It signed the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework too. Through its “Arsenal for Change” campaign, the club encourages fans to take part in environmental activities.
All three clubs show a strong commitment to protecting the environment. Liverpool stands out because it uses carbon removal technology in its merchandise and leads in biodiversity work. Manchester City is strongest in waste management, while Arsenal leads in energy storage and community nature projects.
Overall, here is how the three Premier League clubs compare in terms of the following environmental metrics.
A Growing Collective Responsibility in Football
Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal’s initiatives reflect a larger shift: elite football clubs are starting to recognize their role in fighting climate change.
Beyond clubs, fans, governing bodies, and sponsors are pushing for greener practices. The Premier League launched a Sustainability Strategy in 2023 and recently published an update. This plan urges all 20 clubs to cut emissions, reduce waste, and engage with communities.
The Sports Positive League Table ranks Premier League clubs based on sustainability. It helps set standards and boosts competition in ESG practices. Liverpool has consistently ranked in the top three, alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.
Beyond the Premier League, the push for greater environmental responsibility in football is becoming a global movement. Clubs worldwide are stepping up. They aim to cut emissions, reduce waste, and support sustainable practices on and off the field.
In Germany, VfL Wolfsburg stands out as a leader in sustainable football. The club, owned by Volkswagen, has been carbon neutral since 2012. This makes it one of the first in European sports to adopt large-scale environmental initiatives.
Wolfsburg uses 100% renewable energy, and they harvest rainwater to irrigate the pitch. The club also offers eco-friendly transport for fans and staff.
In the Netherlands, Ajax Amsterdam has embraced renewable energy and circular economy principles. The Johan Cruijff Arena is Ajax’s home stadium. It uses solar panels, wind energy, and a 3-megawatt battery storage system. This system is one of the largest in Europe and runs on recycled Nissan Leaf car batteries.
The arena’s green design includes LED lights, water-saving tech, and waste separation systems. These features help cut down the environmental impact of major sports events.
Moving to North America, Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) has made strong commitments to sustainability. The club offsets travel emissions for the team. It also promotes zero-waste matchdays at Lumen Field. Plus, it partners with local groups for urban reforestation and community solar projects.
Sounders FC helped start MLS WORKS Greener Goals. This league-wide initiative focuses on making American soccer more environmentally friendly.
Even smaller clubs are stepping up. In England’s League Two, Forest Green Rovers has been widely praised as “the greenest football club in the world”. The club has set a global standard for sustainable sports infrastructure. Their fully vegan stadium menu, organic pitch, and solar-powered stadium lead the way.
These examples show that Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal are part of a much broader shift. More clubs are using new solutions and sharing best practices. This helps football make a bigger impact on climate action.
A New Competition Off the Field
As Liverpool FC chases silverware on the pitch, it is also chasing leadership in sustainability off it. With bold targets, innovative partnerships, and award-winning initiatives under The Red Way, the club is setting standards that go beyond football. And as its Premier League rivals also raise their ESG ambitions, the competition for sustainability leadership is only set to grow.
Winning matches is important. But setting a strong example in the fight against climate change? That could be one of the most meaningful goals of all.
- FURTHER READING: How Soccer’s Carbon Footprint Adds Up: A Closer Look at the Global Game Called Football
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