Powered by Ecotricity Business: Leeds Rhinos – Becoming a sporting green powerhouse

“As a club, we’ve got to do our best to tell those stories, to practice good leadership and to set a good example,” says Jamie Jones-Buchanan, CEO of Leeds Rhinos. “Leadership is about leading, and sustainability is a chance to show what that looks like in practice.”

Across the AMT Headingley Stadium, sustainability is already visible in everyday operations. Solar panels generate clean power, rainwater is reused to flush toilets, a borehole reduces reliance on mains water for pitch irrigation, and food waste is processed on site rather than sent to landfill. Even the grounds team has gone electric, with mowers that cut emissions as well as grass.

For players, staff and fans, these initiatives make sustainability tangible. They show that small, practical changes, when added together, can make a real difference.

“We were looking for organisations with the same ethics and values as us. People who want to drive a greener, cleaner Britain,” he explains. “With the Rhinos, they already had a sustainability vision they wanted to move forward. Supplying the stadium with 100% green electricity and supporting their wider strategy just made sense.”

Since January 2024, Leeds Rhinos have been powered by 100% renewable electricity from us at Ecotricity. But the partnership goes far beyond energy supply. We act as a trusted advisor, helping the club understand where emissions sit across operations and how they can be reduced over time.

“It’s like having your own sustainability consultant on tap,” says Sue Ward, Operations Director at Leeds Rhinos. “Yes, we’re procuring 100% renewable energy, but the advice and consultation we’ve received has been just as valuable.”

“That game gave us a chance to understand fan behaviour, particularly how people travel to the stadium,” says Rushton. “It’s about measuring, learning and then improving.”

The results are helping the club address emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 with the club aiming to net zero in their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and have a 37% reduction in their Scope 3 emissions by 2050. Importantly, these efforts are communicated in plain language, showing fans that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated.

On the pitch, players are also playing their part. Ash Handley, Leeds Rhinos player, sees sustainability as simply the direction the world is moving in.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” he says. “I’ve got an electric car and an air source heat pump at home. Around the club, more lads are choosing electric cars and getting involved.”

Handley also highlights how fans are responding. “People are using public transport more, we have biodegradable cups at the stadium, and you can feel that the club is trying to do things properly.”

From a commercial perspective, the partnership with Ecotricity strengthens the club’s brand and opens new opportunities. Ben Turnbull, Business Development Manager at Leeds Rhinos, describes it as a clear win-win.

“On the community side, it enables educational outreach and greener facilities,” he says. “From a business perspective, it strengthens our reputation and shows how sport can be a powerful platform for sustainable innovation. Social impact meets smart business.”

“Visiting Forest Green Rovers was one of my highlights of 2025,” says Jones-Buchanan. “Seeing what’s possible, from vegan food to supply chains, was eye-opening. Collaboration like that brings sustainability to life.”

Sue Ward agrees. “They’ve been such an inspiration. They introduced us to initiatives like Pledgeball and shared so much knowledge. You don’t have to do everything at once; but making better choices, bit by bit, really adds up.”

For Jones-Buchanan, it comes back to influence and storytelling. “We’re a stage. A place where people gather. If we can show what sustainability looks like—at work, at home, in everyday life—then we can shape habits and behaviours for the better.”

Our partnership with Leeds Rhinos shows what’s possible when heritage meets innovation. It proves that sustainability doesn’t have to be complex or costly; and that, with the right guidance, every organisation can play a part in eliminating fossil fuels.

Get a quote today to join the Leeds Rhinos in driving forward our mission to eliminate fossil fuels,