London Marathon charges overseas runners £26 'climate fee' as part of net zero push

The London Marathon aims to become net zero by 2030. Photo: John Sibley/Action Images

London Marathon to be charged £26 'climate levy' levied on all overseas runners and used to remove carbon from the atmosphere as part of plans to make the race 'net zero' by 2030.

Announcing a new partnership with carbon removal company CUR8. London Marathon Events will use the money to remove 280 tonnes of CO2 this year and ultimately aims to reduce carbon emissions by 800 tonnes per year through removal and reduction.

Travel by international participants accounts for more than 90 percent the marathon's carbon footprint, and organizers have said they want to balance supporting the «global marathon community» with protecting the environment.

“The LME is changing. from an offset model to an absorption model for climate change mitigation to meet the legal and scientific definition of Net Zero, which requires organizations to physically remove those emissions that cannot be eliminated from operations,” the statement said.

“We run for clean air.” The London Marathon, a signatory to the UN Sport for Climate Change Framework, has committed to reaching net zero by 2040, but is also aiming to accelerate that target by a decade.

In April there were fears that the race could be attacked by environmental protesters, but after face-to-face discussions between Extinction Rebellion and event director Hugh Brasher, campaigners offered to help protect the more than 48,000 participants from disruption.

“ The London Marathon is unique,” ​​Brasher said. “We are running for clean air. This is very important in what we do. The environment is part of our DNA.”

The London Marathon has taken other environmental measures in recent years, including the use of electric vehicles, a switch from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil generators and closed-loop recycling.

A 'climate fee' of £26 for all international participants was introduced in 2023 and forms part of the £146 entry fee for international participants in 2024. The fee for UK runners is £69.99. The climate fee is calculated as the average of the various distances and travel modes used by international participants to attend the event.

CUR8 uses various methods to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, such as improving soils and planting forests.

Kate Chapman, head of sustainability at London Marathon Events, said the partnership with CUR8 was a “landmark moment.”

“This work is critical to achieving our Net Zero goal,” she said. “We are committed to both inspiring activity and innovation in the sustainability of mass events, which is important both to our participants and to our goals as a company.”

In September, the 2023 London Marathon became the first major The UK mass participation event will be awarded Gold certification by the Council for Responsible Sport in recognition of its work on environmental and social initiatives.

London Marathon Events also organizes Brighton Marathon Weekend, Ford RideLondon, Swim Serpentine, The Big Half , Vitality Westminster Mile and Vitality London 10,000.