World Environment Day 2021: Discover resources

World Environment Day 2021: Discover resources

As we get closer to the World Environment Day on the 5^th of June, there are ample resources out there for football organisations and clubs to take inspiration from – to improve sustainability awareness and environmental initiatives that can propel them to greener heights. With the aid of EFDN’s rich database of resources, here is a shortlist of the best ones to help organisations meet their goals:

UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992 and has since seen 165 states become signatories. The UN Climate Change framework has transitioned its sights to the sports sector with the involvement of high-profile football organisations and clubs. Along with organisations like IOC, NBA and BBC Sport, several members of the football family are part of the framework that include EFDN members such as Juventus, Southampton, Hibernian, and Real Betis among others. Participants of the project commit to a set of five principles that are to reduce climate impact, promote environmental sustainability, educate for climate action, responsible consumption and advocate for climate action through communication. Interested organisations can sign up here.

15th EFDN Conference – GREENFOOT

The next ten years will determine if we meet the 1.5 degree global warming target or not. Sustainable actions in football can have a massive positive impact on the environment. Perhaps most importantly, clubs and associations can inspire their fans and community to take action alongside them. A major tool for teaming up directly with fans and community members is crowdfunding. This presentation on Crowdfunding and Sustainability in Sports describes the current status of crowdfunding in sports and details large-scale sustainability actions in football that are being pursued through publicly funded projects. Download the presentation here.

Are you interested in using crowdfunding to finance your CSR projects? Sign up for our free online webinar on 8 June, 2pm here.

15th EFDN Conference – Real Betis: Forever Green

Rafael Muela Pastor from Real Betis Balompie presented ForeverGreen. It is the sustainability platform that uses the power of the most popular sport on the planet to help saving it and it is to make the millions of fans of today, the allies to fight against climate change tomorrow. Real Betis offer more eco-friendly mobility alternatives to their fans, to have the greenest fans of the world of tomorrow. They promote the use of public transport, electric bikes, cars, motorcycles and scooters.

FIFA

In recent years, FIFA has taken important steps in contributing to the overall aim of global sustainability. Since 2009, the organisation has been estimating the global carbon footprint of different regional and continental competitions to better understand the effect of gas emissions that are attributed around large events. Mobility and transportation has been the major cause of total estimated emissions that have rapidly increased over time, taking into consideration the three World Cups since the estimation began. FIFA has committed to a carbon neutral and sustainable World Cup in Qatar next year by liaising with the Local Organising Committee ‘with the implementation of sustainable building standards, waste and water management practices and low-emission solutions’. Read more on FIFA’s sustainability framework here & here on the strategy undertaken for next year’s mega event.

Sport for good – Environmental Action Toolkit

According to the United Nations, climate change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment. The scientific community reached a near consensus on human-induced climate change in the early 2000s, and the consensus has grown since.

Evidence of climate change is already apparent in the hotter global mean temperature, rising sea level, warming ocean (which is making storm activity, such as hurricanes and typhoons, more frequent and severe), extended droughts, wildfire activity, and more.

In recognition of the urgency and importance of addressing climate change across all sectors, Laureus has committed to doing its part, and has signed on to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Sport for Climate Action Framework.

Laureus has launched a new Sport for Good Environmental Action Toolkit to coincide with Earth Day 2021. Download it here.

Musco Lighting

Musco Lighting’s ingenious Mini-Pitch Modular Sports Solution is an all-in-one modular system that offers communities the chance to create fun and active play areas by making spaces available in public environments. The mini-pitch comes with energy-efficient lighting, fencing, goals, benches, space-efficient storage etc. with streamlined installation. The main aspect contributing to sustainability is the initiative to use energy efficient LED lighting that can serve as an inspiration for futsal based organizations and also top-tier clubs. Here is a detailed resource to better understand the concept.

You can find more resources on our Online Learning Platform. This article is part of a series. Read our first publication on best practices in EFDN.