Lord's targets Net Zero with new sustainability drive

MCC, owners of the ground and custodians of the laws of the game, is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The adoption of the strategy, which includes a programme of degasification at the stadium, comes after the club signed up to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action framework in 2022.

Lord’s already sources 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources and has sent no waste to landfill since 2010.

Stuart Dunlop, MCC’s sustainability and accessibility manager, said he hoped the move would lead the way within cricket and provide a template for others to follow.

“I would like to think we’re a little ahead of the curve. We were one of the first sports clubs to sign up to the UN framework and we believe our goals are suitably ambitious,” he told the PA news agency.

“We are the home of cricket and we like to be pioneers. Moving to the future I see all sports clubs doing this.

“What I would like to see is us being seen as a role model for smaller cricket clubs and sports clubs across country and world to follow.

“There’s a lot still to learn but it’s about holding yourself to account. We are really at the start of a journey but we hope to make a positive impact. We are all here to enjoy this sport and this is the way forward.”

Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who attended a sustainability presentation at Lord’s alongside Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins during this summer’s Ashes, backed the move.

“Climate change is one the biggest issues facing our sport and our planet, so it is vital that MCC, as the guardian of the global game, continues to lead the debate in this area and this strategy is a step in that direction,” he said.

“Sport, and society more broadly, needs to do more to combat the huge threat posed by climate change and in my role as a member of the MCC World Cricket committee, I’m keen to play whatever part I can to help shape and influence the debate in our sport.”

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