The Premier League has committed to reducing emissions from across its operations (scopes 1, 2 and 3) in pursuit of its target to reach net zero by 2040.

Emissions calculation methodology

The Premier League's emissions calculation methodology is aligned with the guidance set out by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The League works with independent experts to collect and analyse emissions data and to identify opportunities to improve the accuracy and reliability of data sources.  

Emissions are measured according to the operational control approach as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The League prioritises the collection of activity data and calculates associated emissions using relevant emissions factors from the UK Government. Where activity data is not available, we use spend-based data sourced from internal accounting systems combined with corresponding spend-based emissions factors from trusted sources.  

The League's footprint is categorised by scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from our owned or controlled assets, such as the combustion of natural gas in our offices. 
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity. 
- Scope 3: Indirect emissions from across our value chain - most notably our supply chain, our events, Premier League Productions, and business travel. 

Each year, the League undertakes a data quality assessment, which guides our transition from using spend-based data to more reliable activity data. As the quality of our data improves, historic emissions (including baseline year emissions) are liable to change in accordance with the baseline retrigger policy below. 

Our carbon footprint 

Season 2023/24

The Premier League's total carbon emissions increased by 1% in the reporting period (2023/24), compared to the previous Season (2022/23). This increase is due to a greater supply chain spend. The emissions intensity of the Premier League's operations decreased by 13% over the period. 

The Premier League's carbon footprint calculation for Season 2023/2024, covering the reporting period from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024, has been independently verified through a comprehensive GHG inventory verification report, providing limited assurance. This verification was conducted against key standards including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard, Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Scope 2) Guidance, Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Guidance, and ISO 14064-3: Greenhouse gases - Part 3: Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions. The process encompassed a review of documented evidence provided by the Premier League, evaluation of data, methods of collection, aggregation, analysis, and review of GHG emissions data for the reporting period, and auditing of sample data used to determine emissions. 

Baseline year re-calculation 

In accordance with guidance from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, we have developed a baseline retrigger policy. This outlines our approach to reviewing our baseline emissions on account of methodological or structural changes. Our threshold for significance is a change that increases or decreases baseline emissions by 5% or more, which may be attributable to: - 
- Structural changes, for example; mergers, acquisitions or outsourcing / insourcing of emitting activities. 
- Methodological changes, for example; updates to the accuracy of emissions factors or data sources and quality.