Wimbledon was the latest sporting event to be attacked by Just Stop Oil. The organization claims to be an environmentally friendly group, trying to spread the word about sustainability. The All England Club was the most recent, in a long list of events targetted by the group across the UK.
Climate activists disrupted the match between Grigor Dimitrov and Sho Shimabukuro. They ran onto the court and threw environmentally friendly orange confetti and a jigsaw puzzle. The match was halted to clean up the mess.
The recent incidents raise an important question- how environmentally friendly are these big sporting events and what steps have been taken to mitigate the pollution they cause? According to Wimbledon’s official website, they acknowledge their role to create “a climate-resilient estate for the future and using our influence to support this important cause.”
What are their aims and how do they intend to achieve them? The Club wants to leave a positive mark. They claim they want to reduce emissions from their operations to ‘net zero’ by 2030 and become fully resource-efficient.
The Club has taken measures to increase energy utilization and negate emissions through carbon compensation. Wimbledon buys renewable electricity to operate and use high-efficiency LED lights on the grounds. Electric lawnmowers and other horticultural devices are used for ground maintenance. Solar panels have been installed in strategically important points.
Wimbledon also introduced reusable cups to tackle plastic waste. In order to get one of these cups, you need to deposit £1 ($1.28), which can be reclaimed when you return the cup or be donated to the Wimbledon Foundation. So far, the Foundation has raised £130,649 ($167714.77).
Why are people protesting at Wimbledon?
Fans had not taken the match interruption well. A lot of fans were annoyed and as the protestors were being removed by security, they were booed. What fans should be concerned about, however, is whether Wimbledon delivers on its lofty promises of sustainability.
Despite all the reusable cups, the Club has come under fire for selling packaged bottles and drinks. Here’s what some of the fans are saying online-
Back to #Wimbledon tennis today to highlight @evianwater ‘s 2 billion bottle plastique mountain! One fancy refill machine for the players won’t fool anyone. Your owners @Danone are being sued for #plasticpollution pic.twitter.com/AnGkGg7xzs
— Plastics Rebellion (@PlasticsRebel) July 9, 2023
Greenwashing at its finest https://t.co/ToQhgS0tRB
— Jacquie Loughrey (@JjlougsJacquie) July 9, 2023
Exactly right… but people are more concerned about the interruption of sports 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/Aw0MPOHwv1
— Eduardo (@tribalistaed) July 9, 2023
Just Stop Oil has also found some support in light of recent weather extremes.
‘The Sufragettes did far more than anything Just Stop Oil do… people look back and think – whatever the tactics, the injustice was far more evil. How is this going to look in 30 years?’
.@OwenJones84 discusses the Just Stop Oil protests at Wimbledon and the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/PwoxzR72cy
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 6, 2023
Yes, but don’t disrupt Wimbledon 🎾 for a few minutes 🥂🍓💄💅🏻👠#ClimateActionNow #JustStopOil pic.twitter.com/BOqCTV1E6l
— Monts 🌴🌏 (@jardinmondial) July 7, 2023
We are sitting on the cusp of a climate catastrophe. As citizens of the world, we do have a responsibility towards our planet. We should hold people accountable for their actions. Change may or may not happen but for the sake of humankind, let us hope it does.