This blog is a little different than usual, as we have given the opportunity to our Office Manager, Danielle Clarkson, to talk about what Desert Vipers’ sustainability journey means to her, and how it affects her day-to-day role. We hope you enjoy this different perspective!
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As the Office Manager of the Desert Vipers, I am honoured to share the profound impact that our mission, to prioritise sustainability within the organisation and achieve net zero by 2040, has had on me personally – as well as its significance for the long-term future of our beloved sport.
Personal Journey and Commitment to Sustainability
When I joined the team for our inaugural ILT20 season, I knew sustainability was central to our identity. It felt wonderful to find a role that aligned with my values. As a mother of three young girls, I had previously explored business ideas like selling recycled swimwear made from plastic bottles and other initiatives to positively impact the planet for future generations. So, when this opportunity arose, I knew it was the perfect fit and it was one of the reasons I applied for the role!
One of the key takeaways from my time with the team so far has been an appreciation of the magnitude of changes needed from the usual way of doing things to reach sustainability goals, which I learnt about through our internal training and discussions with sustainability partners. This journey has been truly eye-opening.
Reflecting on my past roles, where I routinely ordered thousands of plastic water bottles, witnessed daily office food waste, and booked countless unnecessary business class flights, I realise how unaware I was about the consequences of these actions, and the culture of the organisations meant potential changes to the status quo were not explored.
In contrast, learning about sustainability through team training has underscored the value of our sustainability actions and partnerships at Desert Vipers, such as with Bluewater, who have helped us to eliminate all single-use plastic water bottles from our team environment on and off the pitch. Our use of reusable bottles, supported by our forward-thinking team, players, and coaches, became a hot topic for commentators and media coverage in Season 2!
Learning About Climate Change and Resource Management
We are all aware of the recent heavy UAE storms, which caused serious flooding to roads and homes, damaged cars, forced the closure of schools and offices, and shut down public transport systems. Having personally been affected by the storms and hearing of the devastation caused across the country, this further sparked my desire to learn about climate change and the adverse effects it has on our weather and planet. With the support of the team, I have started an online course specifically for sustainability professionals and I am now currently learning about the science of climate change!
One module, ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ (LCA), has been particularly enlightening. LCA is a systematic approach to evaluating the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. This course has deepened my understanding of the intricate details of the supply chain and the long-term environmental effects of each product we use. It has taught me the significance of choosing recycled garments and responsibly sourced materials over cheaper, less sustainable options. At Desert Vipers, our understanding of the lifecycle of products and using our own “Sustainable Sourcing Code” based on a set of six key questions, influences the decision we make when it comes to purchasing materials, helping us to minimise our overall environmental footprint.
Last season, it was a wonderful experience working alongside the management team to convey our message to fans and sustainability-focused businesses, with the highlight being our first dedicated ‘Sustainability Match’. Post-tournament, my role involves gathering supplier information, such as flights taken, hotel bookings, and other data required to track our carbon footprint. We can already see from tracking Seasons 1 and 2 that our efforts are making a tangible difference, and we can clearly see the areas that we need to focus on and improve on to reach our net zero goals. With continued learning, exciting projects on the horizon, and looking ahead to Season 3, I feel honoured to be part of this team, leading and influencing others in the sports industry and beyond to make positive changes.
Regardless of your position, from CEO to Office Manager, we can all take steps now. Whether it is deciding to offer your employees internal training or remembering to use your reusable water bottle (we all have them!), it is time for all of us to play our part.
Sustainability Spotlight – The Plastic Pledge
This week we shine a spotlight on The Plastic Pledge, an organisation in the UAE who are raising awareness about the impacts of plastic waste and mobilising people to take action. Desert Vipers have a partnership with The Plastic Pledge, and we are proud to be partnered with an organisation who is inspiring change across the UAE and beyond.
One of the main ways that The Plastic Pledge have raised awareness about plastic pollution is through their mammoth rowing journeys. In December 2022, Toby Gregory – founder of The Plastic Pledge — embarked on the challenge of a lifetime. He rowed 5,000 km, unsupported and unassisted, across the Atlantic Ocean. Toby used the publicity from the crossing to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and the fight against plastic pollution. Toby and his team are about to embark on another impressive journey: rowing to the Arctic. We at the Desert Vipers would like to wish him and his team the very best of luck on this journey, and look forward to following his progress online! Good luck!
