Revamped Football Sustainability Plan Unveiled by EFL
TheEnglish Football League (EFL) has revamped its environmental sustainability scheme, dubbed 'Green Clubs.' This update includes regular assessments throughout the seasons and a tiered system for clubs to achieve bronze, silver, or gold status. To attain these levels, clubs must meet specific criteria such as having a published environmental policy, a recognized carbon footprint, and a designated environmental sustainability leader.
Green Clubs is a league-wide initiative that assists English soccer clubs in enhancing their environmental practices and operations. The scheme, in partnership with GreenCode, offers training and support as clubs integrate green practices in areas like purchasing, staff engagement, and monitoring carbon emissions. Since its inception in 2021, 38 out of 72 EFL clubs have joined Green Clubs.
David Wheeler, a Wycombe Wanderers soccer player, believes that soccer clubs hold significant influence in their local communities and can contribute significantly to combating climate change. Wheeler is optimistic about EFL's expansion and development of the Green Clubs scheme.
With the revamped scheme, the EFL aims to create a clear pathway for clubs and celebrate their accomplishments in reducing their environmental impact. Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, David McArdle, hopes the improved scheme will encourage more environmental action across the league.
Soccer grounds in England face increasing threats from climate change, including flooding, storms, and heatwaves, according to climate modeling. Soccer clubs have spoken out about the effects of climate change on their careers and the necessity to cut down on carbon emissions for a greener future.
Other European soccer leagues have incorporated voluntary and mandatory environmental sustainability criteria for their clubs. In 2021, Germany's DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga became the first soccer league globally to make environmental sustainability criteria mandatory for Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs. Meanwhile, Premier League clubs agreed to adopt a minimum mandatory standard of environmental commitment in 2024, and La Liga's Environmental Fair Play project encourages sustainable practices and solutions.
The commitment to sustainability for Forest Green Rovers, an English soccer club, goes beyond their newly constructed eco-stadium. The club has implemented eco-friendly measures like recycled kits and vegan-only menus, earning them the title of the world's first carbon-neutral football club by the United Nations. Their broader environmental initiatives aim to reduce carbon footprints and instill eco-friendly practices throughout the organization.
The EFL's revamped Green Clubs scheme now extends to Premier League clubs, aiming for a minimum mandatory standard of environmental commitment by 2024. Similar commitments have been made in the Bundesliga, with environmental sustainability criteria becoming mandatory for German clubs in 2021.
The Premier League's involvement in Green Clubs signifies a broader movement towards sustainable football, where clubs are encouraged to minimize their carbon footprints and promote eco-friendly practices. Forest Green Rovers, already recognized as the world's first carbon-neutral football club, are a prime example of this shift.
With these initiatives, soccer clubs are not only focusing on their on-field success but also making significant strides towards tackling climate change. Players like David Wheeler are advocating for the role of soccer clubs in local communities in combating this global issue.
The Green Clubs scheme, in collaboration with GreenCode, provides training and support to help clubs integrate green practices, ensuring their future operations are sustainable. This holistic approach to the game is crucial in creating a greener and more environmentally-conscious football industry.
Soccer clubs, including those in the EFL, Bundesliga, and Premier League, are setting an example for other industries by demonstrating how substantial changes can be made to reduce carbon emissions and contribute positively to the environment.
