A Japanese professional football club, Shimizu S-Pulse, signed a contract on January 25, 2008 with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to purchase carbon credits from Arapucel Indiavai, a Brazilian electric power company that is participating in a small hydroelectric power generation project in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Through this UN-approved contract, the Japanese government will be awarded the credits. S-Pulse is the nation's first professional sports club to enter into such a contract.
The football club will purchase 1,800 carbon credits to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by its energy consumption, waste generation and shuttle bus services during its home games at Nihondaira Stadium in Shizuoka City for the next five years. This time period corresponds with the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period from 2008 to 2012.
In addition to the purchase of carbon credits, S-Pulse intends to set up a project team to promote ecological measures in their Stadium. For example, they plan to promote recycling paper cups, encourage spectators to bring their own cups and chopsticks, support environmental education by making and distributing an "S-Pulse Eco Book," conduct ecological charity events and "eco-games," introduce an "eco-sponsor" system, take energy-saving measures at its headquarters and replace their company-owned cars with eco-cars.
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