Tottenham Hotspur Becomes First Premier League Club To Join UN-Backed Sports For Nature Framework

Tottenham Hotspur has reinforced its reputation as the Premier League’s greenest club by becoming the first to join the UN-backed Sports for Nature Framework. This initiative aims to drive transformative, nature-positive action across the sports industry by 2030 and beyond, encouraging organisations to champion nature conservation and restoration efforts.

By joining the Framework, Tottenham Hotspur has committed to:

– Protecting nature and minimising damage to natural habitats and species.

– Restoring and regenerating nature wherever possible.

– Understanding and reducing risks to nature within its supply chains.

– Educating and inspiring positive action for nature within and beyond the sporting community.

The club has already implemented two award-winning Biodiversity Monitoring Systems – marking a first in the sports industry – which track pollination and bird activity. These systems enable the collection of crucial data, providing insights into current biodiversity levels. This initiative was recognized at the BASIS Sustainable Sport Awards 2024, where it won the Biodiversity Project of the Year award for its collaborative efforts.

Tottenham Hotspur has also distinguished itself as a club for animal lovers by establishing the first-ever Official Supporters’ Club for dog owners. Additionally, it has partnered with All Dogs Matter to help find permanent homes for abandoned dogs.

Executive Director Donna-Maria Cullen commented on the club’s commitment, stating, “We have long been recognized as the Premier League’s greenest club for our efforts in minimizing carbon emissions across our operations. It is now time for us to make a firm commitment to nature and protecting the ecosystems we cannot live without.

“Becoming the first signatory in the Premier League of the Sports for Nature Framework allows us to demonstrate clear action across all three pillars of the UN’s definition of sustainability set out at COP29 – People, Climate, and Nature.

“The work does not stop here, and we look forward to further implementing the four key commitments we have made through the Framework across everything we do.”

Nature-based solutions – centered on conservation, restoration, and ecosystem management – have been identified as key contributors to carbon uptake and storage, providing up to 30% of the required reductions needed to keep global temperature rise within 1.5°C by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Tottenham Hotspur has been at the forefront of environmental action in football, having joined the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework in 2021. The club has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and halving its carbon footprint by 2030.

Furthermore, Tottenham Hotspur continues to promote biodiversity and nature conservation across its facilities. At its Training Centre in Enfield, the club has planted hundreds of new and semi-mature trees, established a wildflower meadow, created two wildlife ponds, and installed over 540 bat houses and 25 bug hotels. These initiatives further cement the club’s role as a leader in sustainability and environmental responsibility within professional sports.