London Marathon Events (LME) continues to move towards net zero emissions for its events. It has contracted CUR8, the London-based carbon removal marketplace, to remove just over 280 metric tons of CO2 in 2023 to offset emissions from its events. LME plans to continue using carbon removals in 2024 and beyond as part of its climate commitment.
According to the announcement, LME is shifting from an offsetting to a removals model for climate mitigation to align with the legal and scientific definition of net zero, which requires organizations to physically remove emissions that cannot be eliminated from operations.
CUR8 has been selected after market research that showed its carbon removal portfolio had strong scientific rigor. Some of the events organized by London Marathon Events are TCS London Marathon, Ford RideLondon, Swim Serpentine, The Big Half, Vitality Westminster Mile and Vitality London 10,000.
In September, the 2023 TCS London Marathon became the first major UK mass participation event to be awarded Gold certification by the Council for Responsible Sport in recognition of its work on environmental and social impact initiatives.
“We’re delighted to be working with London Marathon Events. Under the leadership of Kate Chapman, their Head of Sustainability, LME has made great progress in reducing the environmental impact of events – and has publicly committed to do so much more.
As with our work in the music industry, the cultural power of sport has an important job to do in demonstrating and normalizing a genuine pathway to net zero – deep emissions cuts partnered with durable carbon removals for residual emissions. In time we believe the world will expect and prefer cultural events that don’t harm the atmosphere,” commented Mark Stevenson, co-founder and chief impact officer at CUR8.
Relevant: CUR8 Helps O2 Arena Stage First “Carbon-removed” Concert In London
CUR8, as one of the market leaders in offering high quality carbon removal credits, has previously provided carbon removals for landmark Royal events like HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II and large-scale music events like the British Summer Time and All Points East.
It also announced in September it will provide carbon removals to O2 Arena for The 1975’s headline shows in February 2024. It will be the world’s first-ever carbon-removed arena event. The O2 Arena is also the first venue operator to calculate and compensate for its emissions.
