With climate change threatening the global game’s very existence, clubs and fans across the world are taking action to reduce football’s carbon footprint. But is the sport doing enough to fight the biggest threat to humanity since the ice age? Read more :สัมผัสประสบการณ์คาสิโนออนไลน์เว็บตรงที่สุดของความสนุก – www.ufabet.partners

At the grassroots, clubs are reducing their emissions through renewable energy, rainwater recycling and repurposing old footballs. Others are going further by becoming a carbon-free team (e.g. Forest Green Rovers), using a bio-fuelled stadium, or even running entirely on wood. Some teams are even reducing their waste, such as Southampton FC through the Halo Effect, which has reduced single-use plastic at the club and reused furniture in schools.

Green Goals: The Role of Football in Addressing Climate Change

These efforts are being supplemented by a growing number of clubs joining the UEFA’s Green Football initiative, and by government-led initiatives like subsidising public transport to matchdays. However, governments must also put in place legislative measures that set a sustainable baseline for the game, regulating fossil fuel financing and setting environmental standards for carbon, sponsorships, waste management and education across all levels of the game from grassroots to the elite level.

Governing bodies should also make it mandatory for clubs to include emissions from their fans, rather than sticking their heads in the sand and saying it’s not their problem. They should also prioritize data collection so that all clubs, from the top tier down to the grassroots, can understand how they can take cost-effective and immediate actions to cut their emissions. In addition, they should support their clubs in developing more long-term strategies that entail fundamental changes to the way the game is conducted and may result in greater emissions reductions or climate-resilient operations (higher impact).