Tennis and Sustainability by Kim Fiske

🎾 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 – 𝗪𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗻

Did you know that tennis is the fourth most popular sport in the world, with approximately 1 billion fans? You may not be aware that I play tennis and am also an avid fan, to the point of fanatical. So, when Wimbledon starts next week, the excitement begins. This made me wonder what the club has committed to in providing a positive environmental impact during the fortnight of the Championships. In 2023, 𝟱𝟯𝟮,𝟲𝟱𝟭guests streamed through the gates, with 𝟰𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬 spectators at any time. 𝟱𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 tennis balls were used during the championship period; the tennis ball production is a most eco-friendly process. 🎾

The club is producing “𝗔𝗰𝗲𝘀” to provide a sustainable championship. Serena Williams served 102 aces in 2012!

🌳 If you would like support in 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, contact us for a 30-minute call to discuss how we can introduce 𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗛𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 into your organisation. Book an Appointment today https://calendly.com/kimfiske-hr4consulting

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗡𝗲𝘁 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/sustainability.html
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
🎾 We buy renewable electricity to power our operations.
🎾 We measure and report our operational emissions.
🎾 We generate renewable electricity onsite with solar panels on our Clubhouse and maintenance buildings at our Community Tennis Centre at Raynes Park, on our main site in our Indoor Covered Courts building, in our Technology Services Room, and in the Media Pavilion.
🎾 We have embarked on a lighting upgrade programme, installing high-efficiency LED lights around our estate.
🎾 We use electric lawnmowers and horticulture equipment around the Grounds
🎾 We have electric vehicles for year-round use, including our staff minibus, and all buggies used on-site are electric.
🎾 We use electric buggies to transport guests during the Championships and year-round use electric maintenance buggies.
🎾 We embarked on a programme to ‘mothball’ areas of the estate to save energy.
🎾 We showcase the very best seasonal ingredients from across the British Isles, including plant-based options, on all our menus.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
🎾 None of our day-to-day business or Championships waste goes to landfill
🎾 Recyclable materials are separated from general waste, which generates electricity for the National Grid
🎾 Food waste is collected for anaerobic digestion, producing high-quality fertiliser for agriculture and horticulture purposes
🎾 Provide clearly signposted recycling facilities throughout the Grounds for guests
🎾 Promote a culture of reuse, reducing single-use plastic waste by providing reusable cups for all drinks served both year-round and during The Championships
🎾 Provide reusable water bottles and on-court refills for players
🎾 Provide multiple water refill points and encourage guests to bring refillable bottles with them
🎾 Garden waste is used to create mulch used around the Grounds
🎾 Stringer’s plastic bags were removed
🎾 We have completed the construction of a building, the Technology Services Room, which has been designed and constructed to be dismantled, retaining resources used in its construction.
🎾 Major project construction waste diversion from landfills exceeds 95%
🎾 Established a sustainable urban drainage scheme at our Community Tennis Centre at Raynes Park
🎾 Reduced plastic packaging from our retail operation, for example, the Wimbledon towel, which is wrapped with an FSC card band

𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻
🎾 We prioritise planting and horticulture across the site
🎾 We showcase ‘heritage’ varieties in our food and drink offering
🎾 We introduced a living wall on No.1 Court, which incorporates flowering plant species to encourage pollinators
🎾 We planted living roofs on the Technology Services and Broadcast Pavilion roofs
🎾 Wildflower banks make a beautiful backdrop to the player practice courts at Aorangi and at the newly completed Indoor Tennis Centre
🎾 We harvested 10,000 acorns from veteran oaks in Wimbledon Park which are growing in nurseries for replanting
🎾 Donate plants to local community groups
🎾 We introduced bee hives at our Community Tennis Centre at Raynes Park
🎾 We have a Centre Court themed ‘bug hotel’ in The Queue
🎾 Introduced plants in indoor areas enhancing working environments year-round for AELTC staff and members
🎾 We hold regular nature weekends and walks for community and neighbours on our parkland site
🎾 We partner with The London Wildlife Trust, collaborating to enhance biodiversity and ecology
𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
🎾 Ensure all staff have sustainability awareness sessions as part of their briefings.
🎾 In 2019 we showcased our early thinking on our commitment to the environment with a public exhibition space in our Grounds during The Championships.
🎾 We signed up to the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework with a public press conference alongside the other Grand Slams in Paris – find out how we are working to the framework’s principles here.
🎾 Wimbledon Broadcast Services is a member of the BAFTA Albert Sustainable Sports Broadcasters Consortium and WBS content is albert certified each year
🎾 In 2021 we held our first Environment Day, teaming up with the COP26 team, the BBC and the Met Office.
🎾 In 2022 building on Environment Day we introduced an ‘Environment Positive Every Day’ theme, providing information to guests about Wimbledon’s actions and encouraging everyone to take environment positive actions.
🎾 In 2023 we held a high-profile panel discussion about the role of sport and athletes in mobilising climate action. Read more here.