OXFORD United have committed to halving their carbon emissions within six years after signing the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework.

The initiative has more than 250 signatories, including the likes of European giants Arsenal, Juventus and Liverpool, with the U’s becoming the 13th English team to sign the pledge.

As well as halving carbon emissions by 2030, United are also aiming to be net zero by 2040.

The club’s plans to build a new stadium at The Triangle, south of Kidlington Roundabout, form a significant part of the above commitments.

The U’s say heat pumps would provide an estimated 80 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per year, when compared to gas boilers, while the proposed new ground would have systems to reuse rainwater.

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United chief executive Tim Williams told the club website: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, and football has an important role to play in tackling it.

“Oxford United is committed to improving sustainability in the EFL and are proud to have signed up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

“This is a club-wide commitment across all our operations and we have a clear strategy to ensure we become one of English football’s most environmentally friendly clubs.

“Central to our vision is our plan for our new stadium, which will have sustainability at its core. It will act as a blueprint for future design and transform how modern stadia operate with the future of our planet in mind.”