Wimbledon expands renewable energy ahead of 2023 championships

Wimbledon tennis championships is expanding the use of renewable energy and reducing plastic waste and water usage as it aims to meet its sustainability targets.

In an update on plans for the 2023 Grand Slam event, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said it was working with partner Evian to develop the pilot of an on-court refillable water solution to reduce waste and the use of plastics. Players will be provided with reusable bottles that they can refill during their time at the championships.

Officials said another initiative is to connect its renewable electricity supply to facilities in The Queue, allowing it to accelerate the phase out of generators used during the event.

In the area of food and beverage, all food menus for all guest groups will have low CO2 dishes highlighted to help guests make environment-positive choices if they wish.

The AELTC will again host its Environment Positive Panel on Thursday, July 6, and take the opportunity to highlight this theme throughout the day.

AELTC said: “Our commitment to becoming Environment Positive by 2030 remains in sight and we are pleased to introduce a number of initiatives to help us reach our sustainability ambitions.”

Wimbledon officials also gave an update on the progress of its Wimbledon Park Project, which would see the construction of a new Parkland Show Court and the development of community facilities. It said the proposals, which were submitted in 2021, remain with Merton and Wandsworth Councils, but a planning committee date is yet to be confirmed.

AELTC said: “Our ambitions for the project are two-fold: a once-in-a-generation opportunity to safeguard The Championships for the future, as well as creating year-round benefits for our local community, including significantly increasing access to green space with a major new park for London.

“Since submitting our application in July 2021, we have engaged extensively with the local community, including hosting guided tours of the proposed new community parkland in recent months now that golf has ceased on the land.

“In addition to the new 23-acre community park, benefits will also include: desilting the Wimbledon Park lake for its health, biodiversity and enjoyment for future generations; construction of a boardwalk around the lake; nature trails alongside many other environmental and social benefits; and the extension of our community tennis programmes to provide access to the grass courts for the local community.”

The development would be situated on land the AELTC purchased from Wimbledon Park Golf Club for £65m (€77.5m/$88.4m) in 2018 and it is hoped the Parkland Show Court will be ready for play by 2030.