Exeter City is proud to announce that we have joined Pledgeball's Sustainable Travel Charter, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
This innovative charter, a collaborative effort of Pledgeball, the Football Supporters Association (FSA), and clubs such as Millwall, aims to transform the landscape of football club travel by advocating for more environmentally conscious transportation choices.
The Sustainable Travel Charter challenges established ideas that flying to fixtures should be the norm, addressing fans’ concerns over short-haul flights in professional football. Premier League clubs, on average, generate 56.7 tonnes of CO2e per season due to travel, with approximately 85% of this footprint attributed to team flying.
Today, Exeter City joins clubs such as Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Mansfield Town, and Swindon Town to endorse The Charter. With this, Exeter City recognises the importance of leading by example and contributing to broader efforts to address climate change within the football community.
The Sustainable Travel Charter, created by Pledgeball, the FSA, and club representatives, provides a framework for making more sustainable travel decisions for football clubs. It considers issues such as player security, health and wellbeing, travel time, and upcoming matches.
Katie Cross, CEO of Pledgeball, emphasised the significance of the Charter, stating, “The charter confronts an alarming norm: transportation choices that impact the very things we value, such as clean air and favourable playing conditions. As more clubs join in, including Exeter City, this reflects a collective resolve to end these harmful practices. Our growing momentum will likely inspire other clubs to join forces with us, and we are in the midst of discussions with several others to encourage widespread adoption.”
The Sustainable Travel Charter also encourages clubs to opt for commercial flights over chartering private planes, as the former option significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with travel.
Exeter City’s CEO Jeremy Tipper said: "We are really excited to announce our commitment to Pledgeball's sustainable travel charter. By embracing sustainable travel practices we not only contribute to a greener future but also demonstrate our club's commitment to being a positive force within our community and beyond.
"I seriously urge other clubs to commit to considering sustainable travel and signing up to this charter."
Exeter City's Sustainability Officer Travis Bramley added: "I'm thrilled the club has chosen to sign the travel charter. It's a fantastic first step towards taking ownership of our environmental footprint and shows the club's future commitment to environmental sustainability.
"I also really hope that our fans and partners will see the signing of this document and also consider their travel footprint and if a more sustainable alternative might exisit."
Ashley Brown of the Football Supporters’ Association said: "While player travel may not constitute the most significant part of a football club's carbon footprint, adopting more sustainable travel options can lead to immediate emissions cuts for clubs aspiring to
make a difference in climate action. The Charter serves as a guide for clubs to reduce the number of flights and emphasises the importance of transparency, as clubs currently do not have reporting requirements for their travel activities."
For more information and for clubs to endorse the Sustainable Travel Charter, contact
info@pledgeball.org. To access the Sustainable Travel Charter, please click here.