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With European competitions constantly expanding the number of teams participating and the geographical catchment area, Premier League teams' Co2 footprint has naturally increased around European away days. Last season saw the introduction of the Europa Conference League, which meant more teams being invited into competitive European football, and another piece of silverware on offer.
To see how this has affected the Co2 emissions produced by clubs travelling to all corners of Europe for the group stages, OLBG has calculated each clubs’ carbon footprint.
Results are based on 30 people (the approximate size of the playing squad and coaching staff making the journey) travelling to and from the nearest airports based on the fixture.
Here’s how each Premier League club's carbon footprint competing in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League compares…
| Team | Total Miles Travelled | Total Team CO2 Emissions (lbs) | Carbon Footprint Per Journey (lbs) | CO2 Emissions Per Individual (lbs) | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man United | 8,544.00 | 58731.03 | 19577.01 | 1957.701 | Europa League |
| Man City | 4,340.00 | 47308.1 | 15769.36667 | 1576.936667 | Champions League |
| Chelsea | 4,178.00 | 46630.0261 | 15543.34203 | 1554.334203 | Champions League |
| West Ham | 3,966.00 | 44520.3 | 14840.1 | 1484.01 | Europa Conference League |
| Tottenham | 3,856.00 | 42625.4932 | 14208.49773 | 1420.849773 | Champions League |
| Arsenal | 3,798.00 | 40154.12 | 13384.70667 | 1338.470667 | Europa League |
| Liverpool | 3,376.00 | 37961.18 | 12653.72667 | 1265.372667 | Champions League |
Results Breakdown
Manchester United’s Europa League campaign will mean they produce the highest carbon footprint compared to any other Premier League side, thanks to lengthy trips to Real Sociedad, Omina and Sheriff respectively.
Once the group stage finishes, the team alone will have omitted a total of 58731.03 lbs of Co2 emissions, meaning each trip equates to approximately 1957.701 lbs of carbon, travelling there and back. In total, Erik Ten Hag’s men will travel more than 8,500 miles to away games before the World Cup break in November.
World Cup Stadium Insights
The Red Devils arch rivals and neighbors Manchester City were next on the list, but will still omit around 11,000 lbs of carbon less than Manchester United. City will also travel around half of the miles of the Old Trafford outfit, with the Blues’ total adding up to 4,340. Man City manager Pep Guardiola's team will be travelling to Copenhagen, Seville and Dortmund over the course of their Champions League group stage campaign as they attempt to finally win the trophy for the first time in their history.
Chelsea ranked third thanks to their Champions League groups consisting of AC Milan, Dinamo Zagreb and RB Salzburg, giving them a footprint of 15543.3 lbs of carbon per European away trip.
Their overall total was around 12,000lbs less than United’s, due to the relatively short trip to Northern Italy and Austria from London.
West Ham are the only Premier League club taking part in the Europa Conference League this season and place just behind their London rivals, travelling a total of 3,966 miles.
The Hammers fixtures include trips to Anderlecht, Silkeborg and Bucharest, as Moyes’ side looks to secure European silverware after coming desperately close last season.
North London duo Arsenal and Tottenham, with the arch-rivals playing in the Europa League and Champions League respectively this season after a close-fought League campaign for the converted fourth place during the 2021/22 season.
Spurs came out on top but their Champions League group means they do have slightly more miles to travel than the Gunners - 58 to be precise. Tottenham boss Conte’s side go to Lisbon, Frankfurt and Marseille while Mikel Arteta will lead his team to Eindhoven, Bodo and Zurich.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool completed the list and have the least amount of miles to travel by some distance with just 3,376 overall. That is thanks to a Champions League group consisting of Ajax, Rangers and Naples, meaning relatively short trips to Amsterdam and Glasgow for the Reds. On average, each trip will see them produce 12653.72667 lbs of Co2.
