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SUSTAINABILITY

Climate change poses a serious threat to cricket across the world. MCC is committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 working under the Club’s Batting for a Better Future campaign.

Batting for a Better Future is MCC’s sustainability-focused campaign. It aims to promote and highlight the Club’s uniquely independent position in cricket so that we can do our part to address the challenges that climate change poses.

The British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS) - of which MCC is inaugural member - said in its Hit for Six report that "Cricket will need to ask itself if it is doing enough to help halt climate change," and MCC firmly believes that urgent climate action is greatly important. 

Of the challenges facing us today, climate change is among the most significant, and MCC is very aware of the impact climate change can have on cricket. Examples include the increase in the number of rain affected matches, changes to how pitches are managed, damage to facilities and the impacts on players and spectators of extreme heat.

Working alongside our partners Net Zero Group – Sustainability Simplified, the Club has launched our updated Carbon Impact Report. This provides a more comprehensive carbon footprint, including our Scope 3 mapping, and outlines achievements across the year and plans for the future.

Read Carbon Impact Report

Since becoming the first UK sports venue to appoint a full time Sustainability Manager in 2009, MCC has taken a number of steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions – many of which are laid out below.

A JOURNEY TO NET ZERO CARBON

Read the Net Zero strategy

MCC partnered with Net Zero Group to launch its Net Zero Strategy – A Journey to Net Zero Carbon – in September 2023, in order to set out the steps to reach its target of net zero by 2040, if not earlier. 

The strategy sets out an ambitious programme of measures and targets as the Club continues to be a leading voice and influence within cricket amid the response to the threats posed to the future of the sport by climate change.

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BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
READ OUR ESG REPORT HERE

Energy

A critical aspect of how MCC can become more sustainable is controlling and monitoring the energy used at the Ground. By taking action in the key areas highlighted below, the Club can not only save on costs but significantly reduce our carbon footprint.  

  • Green House Gas Emissions have decreased by 81% since 2010.
  • Electricity consumption has been 100% wind-generated since 2016.
  • Ground Sourced Heat Pumps are in place to heat and cool Warner, Compton and Edrich stands, which account for half the Ground’s capacity, from entirely zero-carbon sources.
  • 34% decrease in the use of gas since 2010.
  • The redeveloped Tavern and Allen Stands will be heated and cooled by solar panels.

  • Building Management Systems (BMS) now embedded in Warner, Compton and Edrich stands, Pavilion, Indoor Cricket Centre, Media Centre, and Thomas Lord Suite.
  • Through the introduction of BMS, the Club are saving approximately 18,000 kWh per month compared to the previous year.
  • Continuing at the same rate will save approximately 40 tonnes of carbon per annum.

Waste and recycling

Lord’s is a 17-acre estate which can accommodate upwards of 32,000 people during the height of the cricketing summer. Given the scale and the volume of waste produced, a significant waste management and recycling operation is in place at the Ground.  

  • No waste has been sent to landfill since 2010.
  • Waste production has reduced by 13% since 2010.
  • Grass waste from the main pitch and Nursery Ground is composted.
  • General Waste is sent to our Energy Recovery Facility which helps power homes in communities across London.

  • Approximately 53% of waste is currently recycled with plans in place to increase this number significantly.
  • No plastic straws and bags are used.
  • Dry Mixed Recycling goes to our Material Recovery Facility, with the plastic further separated and reprocessed into pellets in our Plastic Recycling Facility.
  • Glass is taken to a facility which turns the small fragments into aggregate for road surfaces or larger pieces potentially into new materials.

  • 2 million fewer pieces of single-use plastics have been used since 2019, when re-cup scheme was introduced.
  • Cups can be washed and reused over 100 times, while the robustness of the cup gives a better drinking experience.

Transport

Ensuring safe and sustainable travel to Lord’s is a key focus for MCC. This has been achieved through collaboration with Westminster City Council and Transport for London, including a campaign discouraging private car journeys and administering parking restrictions in St John’s Wood on major match days.  

  • All sustainable methods of travel for visitors are outlined on the Getting to Lord’s webpage
  • Spectators’ use of Public transport increased from 47% in 2010 to 89% of those attending matches at Lord’s in 2022.

  • Staff use of public transport has increased to 86% in 2022.
  • Created 40 bike parking racks at Lord’s.

Other key areas

Sustainability at Lord’s crosses over several departments, and the whole Club focuses on becoming more sustainable. Notable areas to mention include:  

  • 30 water bottle refill stations have been installed at Lord’s since 2017.
  • Spectators are encouraged to bring their own refillable bottles to top-up on water throughout their day, preventing the usage of single-use plastics.

  • Green Walls on Warner and Compton stands with bird and bat boxes boost biodiversity and support over 12,000 plants and invertebrates.

  • The Ground’s team work hard to control and limit the use of water where possible.
  • The first of many fully electric lawnmowers has recently been introduced.
  • No pesticides or fungicides are used when managing both the main field and the nursery ground.

  • Catering department focuses on locally sourced produce.
  • Unused edible food that meets all health and hygiene requirements is donated to the local community through partnerships with food redistribution charity The Felix Project.
  • Food Waste goes to anaerobic digestion, meaning it is broken down into renewable biogas. The remainder of the food is recycled into fertiliser.

UN Sports for Climate Action

MCC is a proud signatory to the United Nations (UN) Sports for Climate Action Framework. This commitment ensures the Club will be an advocate for climate action, taking greater environmental responsibility in the community as an educator for a sustainable future. 

UN Sports for Climate Action Framework targets include achieving a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, before reaching Net Zero GHG emissions by 2040.

Reports

ESG REPORT Carbon Impact Report Journey to Net Zero Carbon

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Sustainability Strategy