Forest Green Rovers have received a special award from the United Nations (UN) that recognises the League Two side as the greenest football club in the world.
Rovers received the award at the UN ‘Momentum for Change’ climate action event in New York over the weekend.
The club have been working with the UN in the hope of going carbon neutral this season and as such, were one of 15 companies/initiatives bestowed with gold certificates in the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ category.
#greensports leaders @FGRFC_Official receive @Momentum_UNFCCC Award during NY Climate Week.
Congrats @DaleVince @HelenTaylor_eco @willguyatt – keep on leading the way!#cwnyc pic.twitter.com/xndkAqPOYO
— Claire Poole (@claireypoole) 27 September 2018
As you’re probably aware, the project of chairman Dale Vince, Rovers offer a fully vegan matchday menu, play on an organic pitch, reuse rainwater collected from their stadium room, generate their own solar power and have a number of electric car charging stations dotted around their facilities.
They also have a rather nifty little solar-powered robotic lawn mower that takes care of their horticultural chores…
Speaking after the UN event, Rovers chairman Vince said (quotes via Gloucester Gazette):
We’re pretty chuffed to have this recognition from the United Nations for our work in promoting sustainability through sport.
Plenty of people doubted we could make this improbable combination of a football club and the environment work, but it’s proven to be a powerful combination.
We’ve created a new kind of football club and a new kind of fan, people who are fans of football and the environment.
Pies also have it on good authority that the bhaji burgers served outside The New Lawn are rather splendid despite not having any bacon in them.
Wonders will never cease.