Exeter City is proud to announce that we have been awarded Silver EFL Green Club status.
EFL Green Clubs is a League-wide voluntary scheme, delivered in partnership with GreenCode, that supports EFL Clubs to improve their environmental practices and operations. It first launched in 2021 and was updated for the 2024/25 season to introduce a new assessment cycle that awards participating Clubs with a status of “Participant”, “Bronze”, “Silver” or “Gold”.
The refreshed scheme presents a more rigorous assessment process that requires participating Clubs to exceed standard sustainability measures, meaning all levels of the award represent a concentrated effort to implement environmentally sustainable practices at the Club.
Over the last eighteen months or so, the club has given significant thought not only to how we can improve the sustainability of our operations but also to how we can better highlight some of the excellent work that was already being done. Crucially for us, as a fan-owned club, we want to inspire supporters to protect their local environments too – whether through their local businesses or in their own homes. We also have to be smart about how we spend our finances, and we believe we are doing exactly that when it comes to environmental sustainability.
The big ‘win’ that everyone points to is the solar installation on top of our training ground. Since its installation at the end of March, we’ve already saved almost 2,300kg of CO₂ emissions and thousands of pounds in energy costs. This project was part-funded by Devon County Council through their Green Grants scheme and is an excellent example of how we are working smarter to reduce our environmental footprint. Another key step is our partnership with Switch car rental, which has seen much of our fleet transition to battery electric vehicles. We’re also working with Exeter-based environmental consultants, BCR Associates, to better understand our carbon footprint and use data to identify where we need to focus our efforts.
Beyond specific initiatives, the culture of the club has undergone subtle but meaningful shifts. People within the club’s workforce are thinking more critically about where things come from, and where they end up. Our Gen Z fan group, among others, is holding us to account for the impact we have and pushing us to improve.
The club has also been doing excellent work in several areas for years. None more so than in our waste processing. We have a tireless team of volunteers who sort waste after every match to ensure the maximum amount possible gets recycled by Exeter City Council at their new materials reclamation facility just a few miles away. Our Cans4City programme has been running for many years and, since July 2020, has recycled over 3 million cans from fans and local businesses. Revenue from this scheme supports excellent causes across the city and the club’s operations, from benches made out of recycled plastic in our fan zones to donations to charities close to Grecians’ hearts.
Speaking about the award, City's Sustainability Officer Travis Bramley added: "We’re absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Silver in the Green Clubs Accreditation, but we’re by no means resting on our laurels. We look forward to working towards the Gold award, protecting our local environment, and encouraging our fans to do the same."
Chief Operating Officer, Justin Quick said: "The club is grateful to all the staff, volunteers and supporters who have worked towards achieving the silver status. Sustainability Officer Travis Bramley, has helped by building on the great work in place particularly the fantastic volunteers.
"The installation on the solar panels at the Cliff Hill Training Ground is just one example of how we continue to develop more sustainable ways of working as a business. Thank you to supporters, volunteers and staff in their efforts which have made this award possible."
EFL Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinator, Ben Fisher said: “Everyone at the EFL is delighted to celebrate Exeter City's commitment to environmental sustainability and it is brilliant to have GreenCode on board to help us support the Club at each stage of the assessment cycle. The Club has worked hard to reduce their carbon footprint and make a positive impact on their local environment, and thoroughly deserve to be recognised for their efforts.
“EFL Green Clubs is one of several ways in which the EFL supports Clubs to improve their sustainability practices. Throughout the season, we also deliver a full training and support package that enables us to share best practice across the League and to collectively tackle shared challenges in this area.”
Dale Vince, Chairman of FGR and founder of the Greencode said: “It’s great to see the progress EFL clubs the are making on the vital issue of sustainability. The beauty of GreenCode is that it’s both achievable and impactful for clubs of all sizes. Together we’ll show that sport and the environment are a winning combination.”
EFL Green Clubs currently has 36 EFL Clubs signed up to the scheme, which is delivered in partnership with GreenCode, the environmental accreditation organisation run by the Green Britain Group. The assessment cycle takes place across two seasons with a development season during which Clubs identify key priority areas and begin to implement environmental sustainability measures and protocols, such as a published environmental policy and a baseline carbon footprint.