Manchester United scores ISO double

Manchester United has achieved certification against the new international sustainable events standard, ISO 20121, less than six months after attaining ISO 14001

The club’s ground, Old Trafford, is one of the first major sporting arenas in the UK to achieve the London 2012 inspired standard, which was launched last month to coincide with the run up to the Olympic games.

Similar to 14001, the new standard follows a management system approach but with the focus on identifying and managing the environmental impacts of events.

Achieving certification against 20121 fulfills the club’s goal to hold the “sustainability treble” of 20121, 14001 and the Carbon Trust Standard.

“Sustainability is something about which we care passionately and it’s a great achievement to be setting the standard in the events sector,” said Michael Bolingbroke, Manchester United's chief operating officer.

“Everyone at the club worked incredibly hard to ensure that this certification was achieved and we look forward to continuing our efforts in this field.”

The club has been working with the Carbon Trust and its supply chain to improve its environmental impacts for a number of years and was among the 22 organisations that shared the number one spot in the first Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency scheme league table published last year.

When celebrating its 14001 certification in February the club confirmed that its sustainability efforts had saved it more than £500,000.