BRIGHTON and Hove Albion are one of the greenest football clubs in the world.

Eco waste collection company Divert has revealed the top six clubs when it comes to sustainability and “green credentials”.

Albion came in fourth place in the global list.

Divert spokesman Mark Hall said the multi-billion pound football industry is in a unique position to promote good causes and “needs to start wearing its green credentials on its sleeve”.

“From partnerships with airlines, to kits that exploit foreign workers, too many football clubs pay lip service to being green,” he said.

“And we can see the worst offenders right now, as top clubs jet off for long-haul pre-season tours.”

Forest Green Rovers, who recently won promotion to League One, are officially the greenest football club.

The Gloucestershire-based side are the world’s first vegan football club and are recognised by both the UN and FIFA as the greenest football team in the world.

Owner Dale Vince, who owns environmentally friendly energy company Ecotricity, introduced solar panels at the stadium, a fully organic pitch and a vegan ethos that bans red meat products from the club.

Even their green-coloured strip is made from recycled plastics and coffee grounds.

Tottenham Hotspur came in second place, while Arsenal came in third.

Albion ranked fourth due to their relatively new out-of-town stadium, where the club has a focus on renewable power, locally sourced refreshments and cutting down on single-use plastics.

Spanish side Athletic Bilbao are fifth on the list, followed by Manchester United.

Mr Hall added: “Most clubs are now publishing their green policies as they realise that tens of thousands of fans descending on the stadium by car, drinking out of plastic cups, and eating meat-based snacks is very un-green indeed.

“And the Premier League sustainability table, now in its third year, is not only making those left behind think twice, but it’s also educating fans to act more responsibly.”