Labour member praises Ben Mee's climate stance

A local Labour councillor is among the voices applauding Ben Mee’s commitment to carbon neutrality following the defender’s signing from Burnley.

The 32-year-old was announced as Brentford's fourth major addition of the summer last Friday and, in a message on Twitter, the England man vowed to offset the environmental impact of his arrival.

Tony Louki, a Hounslow councillor whose Osterly and Spring Grove ward includes the Bees’ Jersey Road training ground, welcomed the defender’s commitment.

Whilst also urging him to adopt simple daily practices of walking, cycling or taking public transport, to reduce his impact on the climate.

“Fair play to Ben Mee,” he said “I know he’s got a couple of kids and if he cares - and I believe he does - about their future and everybody else’s he’ll find a way to get to the training ground without polluting too much.

“We’re very proud to have a Premier League team in the borough and we have discussions with them often so let’s see how they change.”

Carbon offsetting is the process of compensating for carbon dioxide emission, arising from industrial or other human activity, by participating in schemes designed to make equivalent reductions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Practices usually involve the planting of trees, a tactic adopted by Sky who made headlines in September 2021 when they delivered the world’s first net zero carbon football match - at an elite level - between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Mee, who spent 11 seasons with the Clarets, said upon signing for the West London club: “I’m conscious that transfers rack up a lot of air miles and driving miles as well, so I am looking to offset my emissions for this transfer.

“I’m not perfect but I want to do my bit to try and make this transfer carbon neutral.”

Though there were the trademark social media detractors, many praised the defender for leading the conversation on climate change in football.

Mee’s declaration comes just a week after the UK experienced its hottest ever day with temperatures rising as high as 40C.

The unprecedented spell of searing heat resulted in stretched fire services attending to wildfires which have ravaged many parts of the capital and its surrounding areas.

In light of this, Councillor Louki was also keen to highlight some measures taken by the council in conjunction with Brentford football club,

“We recently agreed a planning application for some refurbishments down at the training ground,” he added. “Which includes electric points for cars and even a pedestrian gate for anybody who wants to walk down from Osterley station or anywhere else.

“I would welcome [Mee] to come and live in Osterley and Spring Grove ward, which is the greenest ward in the borough.

“It’s also the largest and probably the most sporty as well.”