The EFDN celebrates International Mother Earth Day
The EFDN have been celebrating their green activities and initiatives this International Mother Earth Day, to promote and raise awareness of environmental protection all around the world. As well as, identifying how we can recover from the effects of COVID-19, in terms of climate action!
Earth Day is a yearly event celebrated worldwide. On the 22nd of April each year, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in the United States in 1970, the event quickly gained much support and became international in 1990. Since then, Earth Day events are celebrated in more than 193 countries each year and coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.
April 22nd also provides an opportunity to reflect upon the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development stated that sport is an important enabler of sustainable development.
At EFDN, we believe that football is a powerful tool that can tackle challenges entailed in each SDG, especially in having affordable and clean energy, achieving responsible consumption and protection and climate protection.
Below, are some great examples of how we can be more green and tackle climate change, bearing in mind actions which can aid the environmental recovery from COVID19:
HIBERNIAN FC
Hibernian FC is the Greenest Club in the whole of Scotland and are in the top 3 green football clubs in the UK!
By the end of 2020, almost 100% of all matchday waste will be recycled. Vegan options are currently available in the stadium’s kiosks, further plant-based options are being added and all single-use plastics across catering are being removed, including; straws, sauce sachets, stirrers and food containers. You can read more about how our member club, Hibernian FC are carrying out their green activities here.
Back in February, Leeann Dempster, The Hibernian FC CEO, announced their ‘Greenest Club In Scotland’ pledge, she said, “We believe the power and appeal of football in Scotland can help provide leadership and momentum. Let’s tackle climate change.”
🔙 | @LeeannDempster launched our Greenest Club In Scotland pledge in February.
🗣 "We believe the power and appeal of football in Scotland can help provide leadership and momentum. Let’s tackle climate change.”
➡ https://t.co/KdjdVTnYbC
➡ https://t.co/m5mGutwnla#EarthDay pic.twitter.com/MNeK3Nyqk2— Hibernian FC (@HibernianFC) April 22, 2020
Through this pledge, the club is:
- Employing consultants to provide a specialist, accurate and independent picture of our current carbon footprint – including all aspects of our activities including supporter travel to Easter Road Stadium
- Looking at a renewable generation at both the Hibernian Training Centre and Easter Road Stadium as well as better managing energy use
- Building in renewable energy sources to future development plans
- Moving to more sustainable stadium and training centre lighting using LED
- Working with partners to create EV charging points at ERS and HTC
- Investigating the potential of rainwater harvesting
- Building in further improvements to our waste management systems – already operating at zero to landfill.
- Working with Circular Edinburgh on actively engaging in the circular economy – through innovating to keep goods and materials in active use rather than the current linear economic model of make, use and dispose
- Working to eradicate single-use plastics at ERS
- Looking to potential carbon offsetting opportunities at HTC, as well as community gardening, bee-keeping and shared composting opportunities
- Seeking to create partnerships with public transport providers to encourage more fans to leave their cars at home when they travel to matches at Easter Road
Read more about the club’s pledge here.
United Nations
Even though students are learning remotely they can still celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd of April. Click here to access the United Nation’s easy lesson, that will get students talking with family members about the environmental changes they’ve noticed happening in their communities and work together to create a positive climate action.
Children may be out of school due to #COVID19, but there are still many ways for them to continue learning.
Wednesday's #EarthDay is an opportunity for them to find out more about the climate crisis & become inspired to take #ClimateAction: https://t.co/aUlL2XblK1 via @UNICEF pic.twitter.com/09KMZ8GIF4
— United Nations (@UN) April 22, 2020
Global Goals UN
This Earth Day, Antonio Guterres who is the Secretary-General of the UN, has set out 6 climate-related actions to recover better from COVID-19.
These are:
- Green transition
- Green jobs
- Green economy
- Invest in sustainable solutions
- Confront all climate risks
- Cooperation
For #EarthDay, @antonioguterres has set out 6 climate-related actions to recover better from #COVID19:
1. Green transition
2. Green jobs
3. Green economy
4. Invest in sustainable solutions
5. Confront all climate risks
6. Cooperation#ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/VR0rP5sTBV— Global Goals (@GlobalGoalsUN) April 21, 2020
Hibernian FC – Football: More than a Game
