Sustainable Transport & Solar: Manchester City Football Club
Football has a high engagement with its fans and has the potential to have a positive impact on communities and the planet.
Manchester City Football Club has reduced its carbon emissions by 25% across the 2024/25 season, with its Scope 1 and 2 operations carbon neutral.
It is committed to becoming carbon net zero by 2030 by making changes across priority areas of its operations.
The club has published its 21st annual Sustainability Report which details its environmental commitments.
Manchester Cityâs water conservation efforts
Manchester City Football Club has joined with its official water technology partner Xylem to advance water sustainability.
The partnershipâs objectives are to reduce potable water consumption and minimise storm and foul water discharge into the public system.
The club installed a rainwater attenuation system at the City Football Academy in 2014 for the purpose of potable water abstraction.
The system helps collect, reuse and recycle up to 140,000 cubic metres of water each year, which significantly reduces the reliance on potable water supplies.
Manchester City upgraded the infrastructure of its facilities by installing flow and level sensors, enhancing water meters and introducing a digital monitoring system.
This system provides live data which shows a complete view of the irrigation system, enabling smarter water use and improved operational efficiency.
The club helped global water awareness with its Water Champions Project, delivered by City Football Foundation.
The initiative supported ten community-led water improvement projects in communities struggling with water challenges including accessibility, quality and pollution.
It helped educate communities in water conservation efforts and water safety measures and as a result of the programme, more than 9,000 people benefitted directly.
Generating solar power
The club aims to reduce its energy use from its day-to-day operational use of electricity, gas and other fuels.
Rooftops of the City Football Academy have been fitted with solar panels which have generated more than 800,000kWh in its first three months, enough to ensure the clubâs Studio One TV facility is entirely self-sufficient for over a year.
Manchester City trades procured energy throughout the year, with all its energy being 100% renewable.
Its gas consumption was reduced by 160,000kWh in 2024/25 compared to the previous season.
Roel de Vries, Chief Operating Officer at City Football Group, says: âThrough our social value commitment, our respect for a healthy and accessible environment and sustainable, economic growth we will seek to play our part and where appropriate to lead the way in sustainability in football, sport, entertainment, events and hospitality.
“Sustainability at Manchester City is embedded in the work of everyone, it’s a bedrock of our values and it drives efficiency, responsible change and development, it promotes our vision, innovation and opportunity and helps to plan responsibly for the risks.”
Sustainable transport options
Travel to and from home matches at the Etihad Stadium produced 3,406 tonnes of carbon across the 2024/25 season.
The club promotes alternatives to car travel, with bike racks at the stadium and electric bikes available around the city and stadium.
It has created an initiative to encourage fans to walk to matches instead of driving.
The initiative includes selfie frames along walking routes to encourage social media participation and ensuring that the route is well-lit and signposted so it can be used by fans in all seasons.
The club also provides a matchday bus network which operates across 83 stops in areas with a dense population of Season Ticket holders.
All of the matchday buses are fully accessible for wheelchair users and are used by an average of 1,580 fans every matchday.
Danny Wilson, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, says: “Match days at Manchester City embrace the whole experience of every visitor.
“Travelling to and from the Etihad Campus, be that under their own steam, using public transport, matchday services or active travelling - by foot or pedal - is a key part of everyone’s visit.
“With so many different needs, we are challenged to find practical, fan-focused solutions for travel, accessibility and parking, with meaningful, smart information to support best options.”