As our photograph shows, Saturday saw us launch our Carbon Champions project as part of Green Football Weekend – Defend Where Football Lives.
Football doesn’t just live in stadiums. It lives in our streets and our parks, our pitches and playgrounds. These are the everyday spaces where people come together to play, connect and belong. Whether playing or watching, when extreme weather like flooding, heat or wildfires disrupts a match, it’s not just the 90 minutes that’s lost. It’s seeing mates. It’s a weekly run-out. It’s that chance to switch off. But changing climate puts that at risk. The routines, the relationships, the sense of belonging – it depends on the places where we experience the game we love.
To mark the launch of our Carbon Champions project, we are pleased to welcome our first Carbon Champions from Stopsley Community Primary School to Kenilworth Road. They will be around the ground today, speaking with fans about the steps Luton Town is taking, as well as what supporters can do to help tackle climate change and protect the future of the game.
The Carbon Champions project, funded by London Luton Airport’s Greener Futures Fund and supported by Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation, aims to inspire young people across Luton to take the lead on climate action projects focused on the places they care about.
Working with local schools and youth groups, we will deliver engaging sessions that equip young people with the skills, confidence and support needed to design and lead their own initiatives. These projects may include promoting active travel, reducing food waste, cutting down on single-use plastics, or creating zero-waste events.
Luton Town FC Community Trust will mentor each group, providing guidance, resources and practical support to help turn ideas into action. The project will culminate in a celebratory showcase at a Luton Town home match, where participants can share their achievements with families, fans and the wider community.
Through this project, we aim to contribute to carbon reduction while building environmental awareness and youth leadership across Luton.
