World Environment Day 2021 Highlights

World Environment Day 2021 Highlights

The days leading to today has witnessed EFDN organise a set of valuable resources that include some of the best sustainability practices from the 100+ member network, top resources for organizations to take inspiration from, a special framework called ‘Green Jogging’ by Toulouse FC, Greenfoot’s green energy crowdfunding programme, the SDG Striker initiative and innovative sustainability labels and green initiatives in the football world.

Here are some of World Environment Day’s main highlights:

Best Sustainability Practices

The shortlist of the best sustainability practices from EFDN’s member network possesses some of the most creative practices adopted by our footballing fraternity. They range from an initiative to plant trees for every academy player graduating to the first team to jerseys being produced from 100% recyclable polyester and plastic bottles – offering a whole new perspective on waste management. It features the likes of some of the biggest and greenest football clubs in the European region such as Liverpool FC, Real Betis, VfL Wolfsburg and Southampton FC. Read more on the best adopted practices here.

Best Resources

Inspiration is extremely important to go far in whatever sector an organization functions in and it is no different in football. Some of the very top bodies in the sport have started initiatives that can serve as a huge source of inspiration for football clubs, organizations and governing bodies to come forward with original ideas and be a pillar in the area of environmental sustainability. UN’s Sports for Climate Action framework has witnessed the onboarding of several football clubs from the EFDN member network such as Juventus, Southampton and Hibernian. FIFA on the other hand has come forward to make next year’s World Cup in Qatar as carbon neutral and sustainable as possible. Find EFDN’s best resources here.

Toulouse FC’s ‘Green Jogging’ Initiative

Toulouse FC is paving the way to a more environmentally sustainable future among football clubs in France with creative initiatives, with the help of external stakeholders such as Zero Waste Toulouse – a subsidiary of Zero Waste France. The ‘Green Jogging’ initiative carried out by the club’s foundation serves as an inspiration to carry out productive projects that helps with the betterment of the environment and surroundings. Know more about ‘Green Jogging’ here.

GREENFOOT Webinar

An unique opportunity to get fans and supporters of sustainability involved in CSR & environmental awareness has emerged with GREENFOOT. The project aims to formulate a crowd funding strategy for the rejuvenation of football buildings including stadiums, training facilities, club headquarters etc. with the implementation of renewable energy and green measures. This allows the fans to support their local clubs for a cleaner environment, offsetting carbon emissions and thus contributing to the welfare of the planet. Sign up for the webinar here.

SDG Striker

With the motto of ‘scoring goals for sustainability’, SDG Striker is leading an initiative co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. UN’s Sustainable Development Goals takes the center-stage here with the aid of grassroots sports organizations. Issues and topics such as climate change, responsible energy consumption, energy efficiency, renewable resources etc. are addressed and the project has begun with pilot programs in association with the football federations of Portugal, Scotland and Norway. Read more on SDG Striker here.

Best Eco-Labels & Initiatives

Sustainability labels have paved their way into the world of football with an increasing number of organizations coming along with eco-friendly type of certifications and labels to reward green initiatives by football clubs and bodies. EFDN’s shortlist of the best sustainability labels and green frameworks include a far-reaching project by Meatless Farm in cohorts with Real Madrid, Olympique Lyonnais becoming the first football club to attain the Fair Play for Planet (FPFP) label and an initiative by Arsenal FC to offset aluminum waste at sport venues, among several others. Find out more here.