Parcel delivery giant DPD is a dedicated Forest Green Rovers partner.
The partnership brings together two brands committed to sustainability. DPD’s stated aim is to be the most sustainable delivery company in the UK, while Forest Green Rovers have been recognised by global footballing body FIFA as the greenest football club in the world.
DPD, which has over 3,800 electric vehicles on the road in the UK, has been the club’s parcel delivery partner for the past two seasons, delivering replica kit and merchandise for fans.
As a sponsor, DPD’s logo and branding has appeared on the back of players’ shirts since the 2023-24 season, and perimeter advertising and hospitality packages are also included.
A Shared Sustainability Focus
Forest Green Rovers (FGR) is known for being the only vegan football club in the world and in 2017, FGR chairman Dale Vince was appointed as a Climate Champion for the United Nations who also recognised FGR as the first Carbon Neutral football club in the world as part of the UN Climate Neutral Now pledge. The club’s green initiatives cover every aspect of its operation, including energy, transport, food, waste, and supporting nature and biodiversity. Going forward, the club has planning permission to build a sustainable Eco Park complex which will include a new 5,000 capacity, state-of-the-art wooden stadium, and training facility.
By the end of 2024, DPD had achieved an impressive 47.5% reduction in measured carbon emissions compared to their 2020 baseline. A focus on increasing all-electric deliveries in the final mile and utilising lower carbon alternative fuels in the middle mile are two key contributors to this decarbonisation achievement. Across the DPD network, buildings are powered by solar panels and renewable electricity, while 100% of waste avoids landfill. Recycling initiatives generate cash for the innovative DPD Eco Fund which awards funding to projects benefiting the community and the environment.
Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability DPDgroup UK, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering up with Forest Green Rovers. The club has been such a leader on sustainability, not just within sport, they have shown all organisations what is possible. We are proud to be their delivery partner and just as proud to see our name on their shirts next season. Together we are reducing emissions and investing in sustainable innovations. We wish them every success on and off the pitch in the next two seasons and hopefully together we can continue to raise awareness of what can be achieved.”
Forest Green Rovers chairman, Dale Vince, added: “Transport is one of the big three drivers of the climate crisis - and a focus of our work at FGR. Delivering stuff is a key part of that and it’s fantastic to see the work DPD are doing, specifically the electrification of parcel deliveries. This is how we get to a Green Britain - and at the same time clean up the air that we breathe. As a club we’re very excited to have the opportunity to work with DPD.”
Details on all of DPD's sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated DPD sustainability website, sustainability.dpd.co.uk.
