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Wrexham AFC Under Fire for Short Flight to Wycombe Match Amid Environmental Concerns
Wrexham Football Club, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds, has drawn criticism from an environmental campaign group after the team opted for a short flight to Wycombe for a recent League One fixture. The Welsh side, in pursuit of promotion, secured a 1-0 victory against their rivals at Adams Park. However, the mode of transport has sparked debate regarding environmental responsibility in football.
Environmental Campaign Group Highlights Wrexham’s Flight
Fossil Free Football, an environmental advocacy group, has brought to light that Wrexham chose to charter a flight for their journey to Buckinghamshire, instead of utilizing a coach for the relatively short distance. This decision has been called into question given the club’s public commitment to sustainability.
Details of Wrexham’s Travel to Wycombe
The team’s transportation involved a Blue Islands private jet, which reportedly traveled from Jersey to Hawarden Airport to collect the Wrexham squad. From there, the aircraft flew approximately 150 miles south to Oxford Airport, closer to Wycombe. Following the match and an overnight stay, the jet, after returning to Jersey, flew back to North Wales to transport the team home.
Wrexham’s Sustainable Development Goals and UN Commitment
Notably, just four days after this trip, Reynolds and officials from Wrexham AFC journeyed to New York to reaffirm their dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This campaign encompasses 17 objectives aimed at creating a more sustainable and equitable world, focusing on areas such as cleaner air, safer cities, equality, and improved employment opportunities, as outlined on the UN’s official website.
Club’s LinkedIn Post Promotes Sustainability
In a LinkedIn communication, Wrexham AFC emphasized its commitment to making a positive impact both on and off the field. They highlighted their collaboration with the United Nations’ Football for the Goals initiative to promote the #GlobalGoals. The club encouraged fans and the global football community to participate in the #Actnow campaign, aiming to collectively build a better world.
However, this post followed shortly after the team’s short-haul flight to Wycombe, a journey that involved approximately 1,155 miles of flight time over five hours, including legs to and from Jersey without the team on board.
Time Saved vs. Environmental Impact
Reports indicate that opting for air travel saved Wrexham approximately 90 minutes in travel time compared to a coach journey, factoring in ground transportation from Oxford Airport to Adams Park.
Fossil Free Football’s Statement on Environmental Concerns
Fossil Free Football voiced their concerns to The Mirror concerning the environmental consequences of such flights. Peter Crisp, representing the group, stated that football at all levels is increasingly vulnerable to severe weather events like increased rainfall and flooding, directly linked to fossil fuel combustion. He argued that there is no justification for short-haul, highly polluting, and avoidable flights within the sport.
Crisp further emphasized that if fans are capable of traveling several hours to matches by coach or train, then football teams like Wrexham should also adopt more sustainable travel options, particularly given their public messaging around positive impact and sustainability through their United Nations affiliation.
Environmental Cost of Short-Haul Flights
According to environmental experts cited by The Mirror, short-haul flights can inflict 25 to 30 times more environmental damage compared to equivalent journeys made by coach, underscoring the significant carbon footprint associated with air travel for short distances.