A Real Match: Saving Energy at Football (Soccer) Clubs
The Situation
The Green Club believes that sports associations that care for the environment should make sure they have a green (club)house. Energy costs make up an average of 20% of their budget, making it the largest cost they have. The Green Club, an initiative of the KNVB (the Dutch football federation) and Anthesis, previously Climate Neutral Group, was created to change this. The goal? Help sports clubs to make their facilities more sustainable.
Our experience has shown that it is possible for the Green Club to make sports clubs more sustainable within one year. An average club can save as much as € 7,000 annually on their energy bill. That equals 42,000 kWh of electricity and 2,600 m3 of gas.
The Green Club’s Five Step Plan
The Green Club helps sports clubs become financially stronger by permanently reducing their energy costs. To make this as simple as possible, they have developed a straightforward five-step plan:
- Providing energy advice
- Creating an action plan
- Selecting the best-value options
- Offering financial advice
- Supporting implementation
The process begins with The Green Club providing an overview of the club’s current energy situation along with expert advice on potential improvements. Together with the club, they then draw up a tailored action plan and explore financing solutions. The Green Club sources the best available deals for common sustainability measures, but clubs are free to choose other (local) options. They also apply for relevant subsidies and identify any tax benefits. If needed, The Green Club supports the implementation of the selected energy-saving measures.
To determine which sustainability measures are appropriate, an initial energy scan is carried out to establish a baseline. This allows clubs to see which sustainability measures are possible, what they will cost, what savings they will bring, and how long the payback period will be. These measures might include upgrading field and track lighting, improving heating, or generating energy through solar panels.
Next, The Green Club develops the action plan (step 2), setting out the recommended measures and securing approval for the necessary investments within the club. There is also the opportunity to select the best-value options (step 3), with The Green Club assisting clubs in requesting local quotations. They also offer financial advice (step 4), helping clubs apply for loans or guarantees through the Sports Guarantee Fund Foundation. Finally, The Green Club supports the implementation (step 5), ensuring the chosen energy-saving measures are successfully carried out.
Our Solutions
The project started in 2017 with a pilot involving 30 member sport clubs and the Dutch provinces of South Holland, Gelderland and Overijssel. It then rolled out nationally. It was successful and other sports associations (including Rugby Netherlands, KNBSB (the Dutch baseball and softball federation), and the Water Sports Association) quickly joined.
After 2021, Anthesis will guide the KNVB into new areas of sustainability. There are many more options for making football associations more sustainable: think of having more sustainable transport, waste separation as a revenue stream and natural gas-free sports associations in the future.
“With the expertise of Anthesis [previously Climate Neutral Group] and the KNVB network, the Green Club has been rolled out into a successful sustainability program for many sports clubs in the Netherlands”, says the KNVB.
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