UAE cricket team Desert Vipers set up willow plantation to offset carbon footprint

A Dubai cricket team are planting a willow tree for each of their players as part of their plan to promote environmental awareness within the sport.

Desert Vipers, who were runners up in the first DP World International League T20 earlier this year, are undertaking a number of sustainability-related projects.

In July, the Vipers published an audit of their carbon emissions after their first season in the new T20 league in the UAE.

The franchise’s total carbon emissions amounted to 570 tonnes. Around 125 players participated across the league in its first season, only 24 of whom were locally based.

As such, flying players in for the event from around the world had a substantial effect. The Vipers audit showed that travel accounted for 423 tonnes of their own carbon emissions.

Goods and services including hotel and transportation in the UAE accounting for about 114 tonnes, with air conditioning coolant contributing to approximately 32 tonnes.

In response to the calculations, the franchise have partnered with a number of different sustainability organisations.

The franchise and its partners will be investing in "cricket-themed carbon credits representing the team’s entire season one footprint".

Another of their projects is to plant trees. So the likes of Alex Hales, Wanindu Hasaranga and Rohan Mustafa will each get their own willow tree, planted at a farm in Essex in the UK.

Each tree takes around 15 years to mature and makes around 50 cricket bats. Twelve trees have been planted so far – one each for the match day players plus one sub – while the franchise hope their corporate partners will also participate in the scheme.

Sean Morris, the chief executive of 1.5 Sport, who are the Vipers’ sustainability partners, thinks the