More Than A Sport – RFL and RL Commercial launch Environmental Sustainability Strategy

The Rugby Football League and Rugby League Commercial this week launch the sport’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy – More Than A Sport – which commits to advocate for and embed the importance of addressing climate change across Rugby League, and to achieve Net Zero by 2040.

The RFL is already partnered with BASIS – the British Association for Sustainable Sport – and a signatory of Sport England’s Going for Green pledge, and as part of the strategy, has joined the UN’s Sport for Climate Action Initiative, and the Sport for Nature Framework.

In a joint introductory statement to the Strategy, Tony Sutton, the RFL’s Chief Executive, and Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, said:

“Environmental sustainability is embedded in Rugby League’s 2022-30 strategy More Than A Sport, recognising that the grassroots of our sport underpin everything, and that communities where Rugby League is played are more likely to be adversely affected by climate change.

“The well-being of our players, fans, clubs and the wider community is intrinsically linked to the health of our environment, and we have a responsibility to lead by example.”

The strategy has been developed following an environmental sustainability audit conducted by BASIS over the last two years, covering the professional and community game, and selecting asset-owning clubs to evaluate their current activities and engagement levels.

This led to the RFL and professional clubs establishing the groundwork for individual action plans – and under the Club Grading that has been developed as part of the sport’s long-term strategic partnership with IMG, clubs have been required to produce an environmental sustainability action plan to meet minimum standards.

Following further research projects in collaboration with the University of York in 2023 and 2024, the More Than A Sport strategy identifies three areas of responsibility – the RFL as a National Governing Body, the RFL and RL Commercial as organisations/employers, and as owners of major events.

There will be a focus on four of the 17 goals in the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030: responsible consumption and production; climate action; life on land; and partnerships for the goals.

Tony Sutton added:

“Having signed Sport England’s Going for Green Pledge in July 2024, we have already committed to finding ways to be greener in our work.

“As part of the strategy, we have also signed the UN’s Sport for Climate Action Initiative, and the Sport for Nature Framework.

“The former commits us to promoting greater environmental responsibility, reducing overall climate impact, educating for climate action, promoting sustainable and responsible consumption, and advocating for climate through communication.

“The Sport for Nature Framework involves protecting nature, avoiding damage to natural habitat and species, and restoring and regenerating nature wherever possible. I’ve been inspired by visiting the West Hull community club, who do such a range of outstanding work but whose commitment to nature is genuinely trailblazing – in Rugby League and beyond.”

The strategy contains three foundational pillars – integrating, acting and advocating the strategy to embed change internally and across the sport; and three strategic priorities.

The first of these surrounds Net Zero – balancing the sport’s level of carbon emissions with the amount restored. Rugby League has committed to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions over the five years to 2030, and to achieve Net Zero by 2040 – with sustainable travel solutions identified as a key priority in this regard.

The second strategic priority is headed “Try-scoring Resources” – involving responsible energy consumption, integrated environmental decision-making, and the implementation of sustainable procurement processes, across the sport.

The third is headed “Converting our Practice” – notably, the creation of a Rugby League Sustainability Network, to provide training programmes, resources and toolkits to the Rugby League community.

The strategy also recognises the importance of working closely with Rugby League’s commercial partners, including Sky Sports. In the last year, RL Commercial have formalised Northern as sustainable travel partners for Rugby League, while egg are now the sport’s first clean energy partner, and Smart Energy GB are more visible than ever through video refereeing decisions at Betfred Super League fixtures on the big screen.

Tony Sutton concluded:

“Rugby League in England has a strong story to tell in terms of environmental sustainability, both in terms of the negative climate impact relative to other sports, and the progress we have already made in reducing that.

“But we recognise the opportunity and priority to go much further. This strategy will be the key document in delivering that.”

Read the full RFL Sustainability Strategy here.

View the RFL Sustainability web page and find out more information here.