Ecotricity – the world’s first green energy company has a mission to fight climate change by giving people a green energy alternative. They are tackling the climate emergency head on across three key areas of the economy that generate the most carbon emissions: energy, transport and food – which make up 80% of everyone’s carbon footprint. Their belief is that these are three pillars where everyone can make changes to fight the climate crisis.

This mission is epitomised though their plans for the new home of Forest Green Rovers, for which we are providing Cost Consultancy services. Recognised as the world’s greenest football club where they plan to carry on their vision by building a state-of-the-art timber stadium, the lowest carbon football stadium in the world.

What Makes Forest Green FC Stadium Sustainable

• BREEAM Excellent rating has been set as the minimum energy reduction target with aspirations to be the first stadium to incorporate a BREEAM Outstanding level of design.
• The structure comprises Glulam beams and cross-laminated timber which are highly sustainable and dramatically reduce the carbon footprint in comparison to a similar steel or concrete structure.
• Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUD) system: the roof of the stadium seating areas can capture rainwater, which will be filtered, stored, and recycled to minimise energy use and maximise the production of renewable energy.
• The pitch irrigation systems will make use of the rainwater harvesting yield to reduce reliance on mains water supply. A water borehole will supplement mains water demand for periods of drought.
• The alternative materials to conventional stadiums have been selected to reduce embodied carbon footprint, with redeployable elements such as modular, repetitive, reusable, lightweight terraces, roof membrane, timber decks.
• Energy efficiency strategies include high efficiency LED lighting, heat recovery ventilation systems, maximum natural daylight together with low carbon energy sources.
• Aspirations to target UKGBC Net Zero Carbon verification in design, construction and in operation. This is achieved through reducing upfront carbon emissions through the design and construction process below industry agreed targets, and then offset at practical completion.