Photo Credit: ICC
FOLLOWING MCC’S SIGNING OF THE UNFCCC SPORTS FOR CLIMATE ACTION FRAMEWORK, THE MCC WORLD CRICKET COMMITTEE (WCC) RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF IT FOR THE WORLD GAME AND APPLAUDED THE ROLE OF SPORTSPEOPLE LIKE PAT CUMMINS IN DRIVING AWARENESS OF SUSTAINABILITY.
As a thrilling men’s Ashes series drew to a close this week, the WCC was pleased to confirm its support of the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework, highlighting the importance of work in this area and hearing from Pat Cummins on why sustainability is important to him, and why it is such a key discussion for cricket to be having.
In October 2022, MCC became a signatory of the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework, which aims at supporting and guiding sports clubs/bodies in achieving global climate change goals.
During the recent WCC meeting at Lord’s, the committee heard from MCC Estates Director Robert Ebdon and MCC Sustainability and Accessibility Manager Stuart Dunlop on the sustainability journey MCC has been on since 2009 and how signing up to the UNFCCC Framework is the latest critical step in its commitment to climate action.
They also revealed the blue riband piece of work commissioned by MCC, its Net Zero Carbon Strategy, which will be launched later in the summer. The committee were taken through the strategy, which highlighted some of the landmark sustainability achievements to date for Lord’s, but also its future commitment, including the creation of a sustainability app that will track players’ and supporters’ carbon footprint in any of the ways they engage with cricket and steps on how to make a difference.
MCC embarked on its sustainability journey in 2009 when it became the first UK sports venue to appoint a full time Sustainability Manager. Methods such as no waste being sent to landfill, using 100% renewable energy and the removal of single-use plastic at the Ground sit amongst the extensive work the Club is doing in this area.
The committee recognised the work done by MCC and, critically, the importance of clubs and sporting organisations better understanding the framework’s value and urging the game of cricket to take more responsibility and accountability for its action on sustainability.
Cummins spoke to the committee about how his own sustainability journey had started at his local cricket club, and as he learned more on the subject, it became clear how serious it was not just for cricket but for society in general. Every club has a footprint, and there are opportunities for clubs to lessen their carbon footprint, and save money in the long term.
The committee concluded by recognising the importance of tackling the climate crisis as a global cricketing community and how engaging with projects such as the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework can positively impact the work clubs and bodies are undertaking in their own sustainability journeys.
” I THINK [MCC] SIGNING UP TO THE UNFCCC SPORTS FOR CLIMATE ACTION FRAMEWORK IS A REAL SHOW OF INTENT”
Speaking after his appearance at the World Cricket committee, Pat Cummins, said: “Over the last five years, I’ve tried to educate myself about sustainability. Hearing greats of the game talk about sustainability [at WCC] and how important it is, shows how much they care about the future of the game. I think [MCC] signing up to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework is a real show of intent and highlights that there are opportunities to make a difference. It’s great that this has been part of the conversation and hopefully it will help educate people.”
WCC Chair, Mike Gatting, said: “The committee is very supportive of sportsmen and women like Pat who want to use their platform to stand up and speak about key issues. The UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework is an important piece of work, which we encourage cricket clubs and bodies to engage with and understand as they go through their own sustainability journey. The climate crisis affects us all, and we must educate ourselves to make positive and impactful change.”
United Nations Climate Change Communications Lead, Danielle Magalhaes, said: “In October 2022 Marylebone Cricket Club were officially recognised as a signatory to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework and the UN is greatly encouraged by the recent discussions on sustainability between the MCC World Cricket committee and notable cricketers such as Pat Cummins.
“Cricket as a sport is already facing the impacts of a changing climate, and sustainability is high on the agenda at MCC. By following the five core principles of the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework MCC, the World Cricket committee and Pat are advocating for climate action. It’s exciting to see MCC’s sustainability journey to date, and we look forward to the release of their Net Zero Carbon Strategy later in the summer.”
The full list of committee members is as follows:
Mike Gatting – Chair
Suzie Bates
Clare Connor
Kumar Dharmasena
Sourav Ganguly
Jhulan Goswami
Heather Knight
Justin Langer
Eoin Morgan
Ramiz Raja
Kumar Sangakkara
Ricky Skerritt
Graeme Smith
