London Marathon Events (LME), a leader in mass-participation sports and a pioneer in carbon removal investments, has signed its third partnership with CUR8 to purchase 1,935 tonnes of carbon removals. This move bolsters LME’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2030 and reinforces its position as a sustainability innovator in the sports industry.
The agreement includes carbon removals from six projects managed by CUR8, such as Carboneers, a biochar initiative in India; InPlanet, a Brazilian enhanced rock weathering project; and 1PointFive, which is focused on direct air capture technology. CUR8 will use its Credit Management Platform to oversee the carbon removals, which involve CO₂ being removed from the atmosphere and stored for hundreds or thousands of years.
LME’s sustainability initiatives began in 2022 when it redirected its £26 international participant levy toward carbon removal projects rather than traditional offsets. This latest purchase builds on that approach, focusing on reducing emissions through permanent carbon removal.
“Our vision is to drive positive change in environmental sustainability through our own actions and inspire our stakeholders and partners to do the same. We all need to take action now, and it is good to see many more major sports events organisers investing in carbon removal through CUR8 as part of the journey to net zero,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of LME.
In addition to purchasing carbon removals, LME continues to launch initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint across its portfolio of events, which engage 200,000 participants annually. These efforts include replacing diesel fuel with electric vehicles and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) generators, giving participants the option to plant a tree instead of receiving a finisher t-shirt, and promoting carbon-efficient travel.
Marta Krupinska, CEO of CUR8 said, “We’re in a race against time to stop climate change, and all of us are involved. This deal, which will directly engage hundreds of thousands of people in that fight, reflects that. London Marathon Events has consistently shown dedication, commitment and innovation, helping to scale a carbon removals market set to be worth a trillion dollars and setting an example for sports organisations worldwide through its long-term commitment to removals. Its events attract millions of spectators from all over the world and a fast-growing number of participants want to continue to enjoy great events while minimising their climate impact. LME is making this possible.”
