How green are Premier League clubs?

Arsenal’s operations director Hywel Sloman told BBC Sport: “We should be doing the right thing, acting in the right way and leading.

“Those have been our values since 1886 and those should be our values in all that we do. I think that’s really important. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world who look to what we do every single day.

“If we can be an example in this area, I think that’s a great thing.”

Asked if fans care about sustainability, Sloman said: “I think they do. Our fans want to be proud of Arsenal.

“I also think it’s a generational thing. I think every generation is significantly more environmentally aware than that last one – so I think we have a responsibility to our younger fans to actually ensure that we are providing that role model and that leadership for them.”

Manchester City’s head of sustainability, Peter Bradshaw, said: “Sustainability is important to Manchester City because, first of all, it actually makes good business sense. It’s the right thing to do in terms of where this football club came from – the community – 125 years ago.

“It’s about how to behave properly, engaging local people – and how thinking about the environment and social values really makes a difference to people’s lives in this city.

“The next steps are interesting because there is huge importance and huge focus on climate change in the way we need to operate as a nation, and as communities. The next steps are to to keep looking at these things to make sure that we continue to act responsibly.”

In a statement, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “As a club we have always taken our responsibility to care for our environment seriously.

“We have demonstrated this with the environmentally sensitive development of our training centre, where we have preserved historic hedgerows and planted for the future and which will see us adding an Environmental Centre and Nature Reserve there too.

“I am delighted that we have now brought our values to the new stadium to both play our part in the reduction of single-use plastics and raise awareness of the importance of doing so.”

A Manchester United spokesperson said the club is “committed to reducing its environmental footprint wherever possible.

“As an indication of this, the club is certified to the Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon which recognises the achievement in managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“We will continue to look for ways to be a positive influence and encourage sustainable practices.”

A Premier League spokesman said: “Progress is being made and clubs are implementing new and more efficient ways of operating – such as reducing single-use plastic in stadia, reviewing suppliers and contractors and looking at energy sources and modes of transport used.

“The Premier League and our clubs play a huge role in communities both locally and globally and so it is important we encourage fans to make everyday changes to create a real difference.”

The organisation highlighted its Premier League Primary Stars programme, which helps educate children on plastic pollution.

The spokesman added: “Lots of progress has already been made but there is more to be done and we are committed to raising awareness of sustainability and encouraging positive action.”