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Background
The Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA) is a key player in the West Midlands' football scene, overseeing the governance and administration of the sport across the 3 main cities like Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton. With a large network, comprising of over a thousand clubs, 5,500 teams, and around 100,000 registered players, BCFA is not only significant in size but also in influence within the UK football community.
The Challenge
As part of their broader mission to drive social cohesion and community involvement, BCFA recognized the need to integrate sustainability into their operations. This led to the launch of their pioneering "Save Today, Play Tomorrow" initiative in 2021, aimed at educating and empowering grassroots football clubs to transition to a low-carbon future. A critical aspect of this initiative was to address the carbon footprint of BCFA's events, especially their prestigious County Cup finals.
Choosing Carma: The Ideal Partner
When it came to selecting a partner for carbon contributions, BCFA was meticulous. They needed a partner who was not only credible but also aligned with their values of transparency and community engagement. After extensive research and recommendations from their third-party carbon verification partner, BCFA chose Carma, a leading tree and kelp planting app renowned for its integrity and effectiveness in managing carbon contributions.
Carma stood out as an ideal partner for several reasons:
- Credibility: Carma's track record of delivering on its promises gave BCFA confidence that their carbon contribution efforts would be both impactful and verifiable.
- Transparency: The user-friendly dashboard provided by Carma allowed BCFA to visually track and report on their carbon contribution activities, ensuring complete transparency with their stakeholders.
- Alignment with Values: Carma’s mission to make environmental responsibility accessible and actionable resonated strongly with BCFA's goals of fostering a cleaner, greener game.
Implementation: A Seamless Process
BCFA's journey with Carma began with a thorough analysis of the carbon footprint associated with their County Cup finals. This involved collecting data on travel, food, water, waste, and energy usage across 15 finals, held at locations including their own facility and professional stadiums like Poundland Bescot Stadium and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux.
The findings revealed that these events collectively generated around 106 tonnes of CO2. With Carma’s expertise, BCFA was able to offset these emissions in a responsible and impactful way. The seamless integration of Carma's tools allowed BCFA to focus on their core activities while confidently knowing that their sustainability goals were being met.
Impact: Positive Reception and Broad Benefits
The impact of BCFA’s partnership with Carma extended beyond just environmental benefits. For the professional clubs involved, such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, the initiative provided valuable insights into how they could improve sustainability across all their events, not just football matches.
For the grassroots clubs, while their primary focus remained on the sport, BCFA’s clear and transparent communication—facilitated by Carma's tools—helped them understand the importance of sustainability. The process did not disrupt the enjoyment of the events and instead added value by positioning BCFA as a leader in responsible sports management.
Overcoming Challenges with Carma's Support
Promoting sustainability within grassroots football presents unique challenges, particularly in regions where economic and social issues take precedence. However, with Carma’s support, BCFA was able to approach this delicate situation strategically. By initially highlighting the cost-saving benefits of sustainable practices, BCFA gradually introduced broader climate-related topics, ensuring that the message was both relevant and well-received.
Future Outlook: Expanding the Impact with Carma
Looking forward, BCFA is optimistic about expanding their sustainability efforts in partnership with Carma. They envision a future where all county football associations adopt similar strategies, driven by the success of initiatives like "Save Today, Play Tomorrow." With Carma by their side, BCFA is well-positioned to engage the millions involved in grassroots football in meaningful conversations about climate action and sustainability.
Conclusion: Carma as a Catalyst for Change
BCFA’s experience with Carma underscores the power of choosing the right partner in the journey towards sustainability. Carma not only provided the tools and credibility needed to achieve BCFA’s goals but also empowered them to lead by example in the sports community. This partnership is a testament to how innovative solutions like Carma can catalyse significant positive change, making sustainability a tangible and achievable goal for organisations of all sizes.
By aligning with Carma, BCFA has not only reduced their environmental impact but has also set a precedent for how sports organisations can integrate sustainability into their core operations—demonstrating that with the right partner, even the most ambitious goals are within reach.
"Carma have a been a huge support to Birmingham County FA as we looked to navigate our way through the complex world of offsetting residual carbon. Their convenient app makes it easy to track and offset our emissions, giving us the confidence to know we are making a difference to the planet in a credible way. I highly recommend Carma to any organisation looking to make a positive environmental impact."
-Richard Lindsay
Sustainability & Business Insights Manager
Interested in enhancing your businesses sustainability strategy? Contact Carma today.
