This week, the Sport Impact team had the incredible opportunity to visit Wimbledon—and we were profoundly impressed by just how green this grand slam tournament really is. From cutting‑edge technology to inclusivity and community engagement, here’s what stood out:
Powering the Grounds with Clean Energy
Wimbledon has gone full throttle on renewable energy. The grounds now run on 100% renewable electricity, including onsite solar panels and smart AI enhanced systems that dynamically tilt to optimize sun exposure. Add to that LED lighting upgrades, and you’re looking at a tournament that’s serious about slashing emissions.
A Reusables Revolution
Single use waste is being crushed. Refillable Evian stations—formerly reserved for players—are now available to spectators, eliminating over 100,000 plastic bottles across the fortnight.
Meanwhile, reusable cold drink cups, hot drink tumblers, and wine glasses have been introduced at scale. One provider even washed 750,000 reusable vessels in 2023—a sign of real ambition.
Water & Waste Strategy
Rainwater harvesting now irrigates the courts through a sustainable drainage scheme. Almost all kitchen waste—including coffee grounds and peelings—is composted or anaerobically digested into fertiliser or biogas. And it shows: Wimbledon has maintained zero waste to landfill status at the tournament since 2018.
Greening the Menu
Locally sourced and plant based offerings are in focus. Notable changes include:
- Replacing avocado with British crushed peas (though avocado is still available).
- Introducing vegan cream and plant based sponge cakes.
- Innovative banana skin muffins in the players’ dining hall to reduce food waste.
Expanding Biodiversity
Beyond plastic and energy, Wimbledon is enriching its green space:
- Living walls, green roofs, even bee‑hives dot the grounds.
- Acorns are harvested for replanting, and peat free compost is used across gardens.
- A new “Championing Nature” fund, powered by Emirates and AELTC, is helping wildlife trusts create community projects—bringing children closer to nature.
Decarbonising Transport
Transport still represents the majority of emissions, but steps are being taken:
- EV charging infrastructure is expanding.
- Electric buggies and maintenance vehicles are in full deployment, and a switch to electric staff vehicles by 2030 is in progress.
- Digital ticketing is integrated with public transport, encouraging sustainable travel habits.
- Electric Bikes – The planning and infrastructure behind the availability of electric bikes, particularly the Forest Bikes initiative, was outstanding. It offered a practical, low-impact alternative to taxis and buses, making green transport a convenient and visible part of the Wimbledon experience.
Open, Inclusive Mindset:
At the Sport Impact Summit, we often talk about inclusion not as a side initiative but as a core principle that should run through every facet of sport. That’s why we were deeply impressed by how Wimbledon seamlessly integrated the wheelchair tennis and junior tournaments into the main event this year. Rather than being treated as separate or secondary, these competitions were presented as an essential part of the Championships — celebrated with the same prestige, broadcast reach, and crowd enthusiasm as the rest of the draw.
This approach exemplifies what true inclusion in sport looks like. The atmosphere across the grounds was unified, with fans showing equal respect and admiration for the athleticism, competitiveness, and heart on display — whether watching Centre Court legends or rising stars of the future. The wheelchair matches were a showcase of world-class talent, strategy, and determination, reminding us all that elite sport knows no boundaries.
Wimbledon’s ability to make every participant — regardless of age or ability — feel like they are part of one shared tennis narrative sets a new standard. It wasn’t just about representation; it was about visibility, equality, and experience. The junior players walked the same courts, played in front of large crowds, and got a taste of what it means to be a professional. The para-athletes delivered powerful performances that rightly earned standing ovations, TV time, and media coverage. In every sense, it felt like one Championships.
This kind of inclusive programming isn’t just good for sport — it’s essential for its growth. By breaking down barriers and celebrating excellence in all its forms, Wimbledon not only honours the present but actively inspires the next generation. At the Sport Impact Summit, we’ll continue championing platforms and organisations that understand the power of this inclusive approach — and Wimbledon has just shown the world exactly how it’s done.
Why This Matters
Wimbledon isn’t just acting—or talking green. They’re walking it, embedding sustainability into their operations, community, fan experience, and even menu. The All England Club’s strategy reads like a blueprint:
- Ambitious targets: operational net-zero by 2030, full supply chain neutrality by 2040.
- Education & awareness: Environment Day, sustainable signage, staff training, and digital guidance for fans.
- Scalable model: their reusable cup experiment, once niche, now washed hundreds of thousands of times and normalized.
- Community impact: Championing Nature invests directly in local habitats and engages children in cities across the UK.
Our Impact Team Takeaways – Wimbledon Championships
- High-scale, high-impact: They’re not tinkering—they’re transforming. Wimbledon is delivering meaningful change at a major event level, setting a benchmark for how elite sport can embrace sustainability and social impact without compromise.
- Holistic approach: Energy, waste, food, water, transport, biodiversity: everything is connected. The Championships reflect a full-spectrum understanding of environmental stewardship, with initiatives that go far beyond token gestures.
- Open, inclusive mindset: Inclusion wasn’t a side note — it was core to the experience. By embedding the wheelchair and junior tournaments seamlessly into the main event, Wimbledon showed that elite sport can and should be open to everyone. Spectators engaged just as passionately, proving that inclusivity enriches the experience for all.
- Community at heart: From planting trees to creating immersive nature experiences for young fans, Wimbledon’s efforts extend far beyond the courts. It’s not just about inspiring future champions — it’s about growing a culture of care, curiosity, and shared responsibility.
Final Serve
Visiting Wimbledon was an eye-opener. Sustainability at SW19 isn’t an afterthought—it’s embedded in every layer of planning and execution. For any organisation aiming to go green, here are key lessons:
- Embed goals in core operations and bold targets
- Engage fans and stakeholders as active participants
- Prioritise transparency and evidence of progress
- Invest in community and biodiversity, not just carbon metrics
Wimbledon’s shift proves major events can thrive and conserve. As thought leaders in our own domain, we can champion similarly integrated, ambitious models—starting with our next Wimbledon style sustainable ‘grand slam.’ ‘The Sport Impact Summit’
Stay Tuned!!