Liverpool eco consultancy Carbon Happy World provides Dubai-based cricket team Desert Vipers with the full scope of its carbon footprint. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool green tech venture Carbon Happy World has helped Dubai-based Desert Vipers to become the first cricket team in the world to measure its carbon footprint.

Carbon Happy World is a city centre-based consultancy that helps clients calculate their carbon emissions and then works with them to develop a comprehensive decarbonisation programme.

At an event at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Desert Vipers publicly disclosed their carbon emissions data for season one of the ILT20. 

Total emissions amounted to 570 tonnes, with travel accounting for 423 tonnes, goods and services including hotel and transportation in the UAE accounting for about 114 tonnes, and air conditioning coolant contributing to approximately 32 tonnes.

This data was obtained by undertaking a comprehensive carbon-calculation. This is an extensive carbon footprint audit facilitated and implemented by Carbon Happy World of their operations during season one of the ILT20.

This process helps map out an organisation’s activities contributing to carbon emissions. In the case of Desert Vipers, this meant all business activities, such as travel, accommodation, kit, merchandise, and even video calls.

Once the activities were mapped, they extended this assessment to Desert Viper’s supply chain. All the data collected from their suppliers were carefully checked, organised, and then fed into the Carbon Happy World Tracker.

Carbon Happy World managing director Gary Adlen said: “To be the only cricket club in the world to fully measure and publish its carbon footprint has to be commended.

“It takes courage and perseverance in being an early adopter, to gather the data, speaking and explaining to suppliers and stakeholders alike the importance of undertaking such an exercise. 

“Your bold steps towards reducing emissions and promoting sustainable practices demonstrates leadership and a genuine concern for the planet’s well being.”

The firm will now work with Desert Vipers on the carbon reduction plan and will provide ongoing monitoring. It has committed to a five-year 50% reduction plan.

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“We believe that climate change is an existential threat to our sport,” added Desert Vipers chief executive Phil Oliver.  “At the Desert Vipers, we have made sustainability one of our core values and we have a responsibility to be role models both on and off the pitch.

“Our sustainability strategy started by commissioning Carbon Happy World to calculate the carbon emissions footprint produced by the team for our first season of ILT20.

“We look forward to working with them on our plans to reduce our emissions and so play our part in reducing the effects of climate change.”