Chelsea Football Club today (Wednesday) announced a new environmental policy and pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 10 per cent by 2011.

Chelsea also revealed we would launch a campaign with our fans to encourage them to make their contribution to protecting the environment.

The announcement came at a meeting of the companies involved with the Mayor of London's Green 500 campaign. Chelsea was one of the first ten major companies in London, and the only football club, to join the scheme that brings together London's leading businesses to coordinate and improve carbon reduction programmes.

The meeting was kicked off by the Mayor, Boris Johnson and Chelsea's plans were unveiled by the club's Communications and Public Affairs Director, Simon Greenberg. The reduction will be achieved through a series of measures including the installation of energy efficient lighting at Stamford Bridge and Cobham, encouraging the reduction in the amount of car usage and furthering the use of motion sensors that automatically turn off lights when staff leave offices.

Staff and fans will also be urged to turn off computers and televisions that are not in use and when they leave work or home. 'Small changes can help make a big difference,' said Greenberg.

'This is not about a total lifestyle change, it is about changes in one's routine and day to day life.

'We won't stop flying by plane to away matches or tell our players not to buy a particular car. That is not workable for our business or many businesses.

'But for example just by turning off computers and televisions rather than leaving them on standby we can all help protect the environment and reduce energy bills.

'We will be creating a section on our website where fans can sign up to make these pledges with prizes on offer for those fans making a commitment to make London a more environmentally friendly city.' Chelsea's full environmental policy will be available on www.chelseafc.com soon.

Chelsea's environmental work is part of a wider commitment to the community which saw £4.3m being invested in good causes during the 2006/07 season almost three times the United Nations recommendations.

Nearly £2m has also been raised during the last three years for the club's charity partners, Clic Sargent, the leading children's cancer organisation in the UK, and Right To Play who use sport to help tackle poverty, disease and conflict around the world.

Chelsea's players also recently came top of a survey conducted by the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, which revealed that the squad took part in more CSR related activities than any other Premier League club.