Real Betis Balompié Certified with ECO20 Seal for Renewable Energy

Real Betis Balompié Certified with ECO20 Seal for Renewable Energy

The football team becomes the first in Spain to receive solar self-consumption and CO2 emission reduction certification for its photovoltaic plant at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol in Seville.

Real Betis Balompié marks a new milestone on its path towards sustainability by becoming the first football team in Spain to certify with the ECO20 seal the self-consumption of renewable solar energy and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions avoided in the atmosphere.

The club has obtained the environmental award in its Silver category, which accredits a percentage of solar energy use of between 50 and 70%. The electricity comes from the photovoltaic plant at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol (Seville), implemented as part of the team’s Forever Green sustainability programme.

The ECO20 seal is the only one in Europe that guarantees that the origin of the electricity consumption of a company or entity comes from solar energy in direct self-consumption, which allows the use of clean and non-polluting sources to be valued.

More than 61 tonnes of CO2 avoided

The photovoltaic installation at the Real Betis Sports City is made up of 1,260 SUNO® brand solar panels, with a total power of 401 kWp and an annual production capacity of 616 MWh.

From July 2022 to March 2023, the football team avoided the emission of 61.06 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere with its solar self-consumption plant, a figure equivalent to the planting of 366 trees.

Obtaining the ECO20 seal allows the sports club to give a positive differentiation to its activity, in addition to accrediting its progress in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN’s Agenda 2030 in the fight against climate change.

The certification process for obtaining the distinctive has been carried out by the specialised consultancy ECOQuality, together with the auditors of OCA Global, an accredited entity for certifying energy management systems and guaranteeing the level of solar self-consumption and reduction of CO2 emissions.

Zero CO2 Future

“For Real Betis it is essential to have this type of recognition that certifies our commitment to the environment. We are working, not only to raise awareness among our fans and encourage other entities to join the fight against climate change, but also to take measures within the Club to reduce our negative impact on the planet as much as possible. We are going to continue taking decisions and acting in order to become carbon neutral in the near future.”

Rafael Muela, manager of the Real Betis Foundation

“We applaud the involvement of Real Betis Balompié in the effective reduction of CO2 emissions through a solar plant of unique dimensions in Spanish sport. By obtaining the ECO20 seal, the Club is sending out a message that it is possible to help reduce climate change in all areas, including sport.”

Fran Martín, Head of ECOQuality

“The value of sustainability and the reduction of CO2 emissions with actions such as the one carried out with the installation of the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol show the effort and the enormous interest of the team and the Real Betis Balompié sports community in the importance of reducing the environmental impact.” […] “The enormous involvement of the entire committee is highly commendable, and from OCA Global our most sincere congratulations for obtaining the ECO20 seal. It will undoubtedly help not only to make visible the sustainability and the efforts of Real Betis Balompié, but also the importance of meeting the objectives of sustainable development where all entities and companies must collaborate.”

Inés Collado Egea, Head of Sustainability at OCA Global

About Forever Green

Forever Green has been working for more than two years now in the fight against climate change, an effort that has made the club one of the most committed football clubs in the world to the environment. This effort has made the club one of the most environmentally committed football clubs in the world and the most sustainable team in LaLiga according to a study carried out by Holaluz. In addition, Brand Finance recently ranked Real Betis as the second most sustainable European club for, among other initiatives, its Forever Green programme.

Since the birth of Forever Green, 80 entities have joined the platform and 88 actions have been developed, such as the cleaning of natural spaces, the installation of a fleet of scooters and electric bicycles for the club’s employees, as well as promoting their use by fans through discounts and recycling and awareness campaigns. Forever Green has become known worldwide, reaching 598 million people in 75 countries.

About ECOQuality

ECOQuality is an environmental consultancy that promotes and certifies the direct self-consumption of solar and other renewable energies in companies. It helps organisations to integrate sustainability criteria into their business strategy, with the aim of reducing their dependence on non-renewable energy and reducing their carbon footprint.

ECOQuality is the only renewable energy consultancy in Europe with its own benchmark for the certification of self-consumption of electricity from renewable sources, a benchmark on which the ECO20® label for clean energy use and carbon dioxide emission reduction is based.

About OCA Global

OCA Global is a consulting and certification company that develops projects all over the world, offering innovative services and solutions to address the most urgent global challenges facing the planet, promoting sustainability in companies, ensuring commitment to the main standards of quality, safety, health and environmental management.