Football is the world's most popular sport, yet with a global fan base of 3.5 billion people, it leaves a significant ecological footprint. The industry produces more than 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, which isequivalent to the total annual emissions of Denmark.
Major emitters include travel by fans and teams, energy consumption in stadiums and waste generated during events. For example, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alone generated 3.63 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, much of which came from transport and accommodation.
But there is another factor to address, and there are solutions!
The consequences for the planet of the accumulation of fan waste
You may not have known, but the huge emissions and waste production of the football industry has environmental consequences. For example, carbon emissions from travel contribute to global warming, leading to extreme weather events and rising sea levels. In addition, waste from matches - plastic bottles, food packaging, paper products - often ends up in landfills and decomposes over decades, polluting soil and water resources. But fortunately, more and more solutions are now available!
Existing solutions for sustainability
Fortunately, we are not the only ones dealing with this issue. There are already a number of initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of football. For example, UEFA has introduced sustainability initiatives for the 2024 European Championships, including the promotion of rail travel and the provision of free local transport for ticket holders.
The Premier League and UEFA have joined the UN's Race to Zero campaign, aiming to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. They have also introduced innovative waste management solutions such as smart waste bins to help separate and recycle waste.
What can fans do?
As fans, we can contribute to sustainability efforts. Here are some tips:
Optimising transport: Try to choose a mode of transport with as few emissions as possible, such as public transport, cycling or walking. Where possible, take part in supporters' buses or organised community trips, which can reduce individual car use.
Recycling and waste management: Pay attention to proper waste management in and around stadiums. Use designated waste bins and, where possible, choose environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic products.
Sustainable consumption: Consciously choose food and drinks whose packaging is less harmful to the environment. Avoid products with large amounts of individual packaging and instead promote food and drink from local, sustainable sources.
Supporting community initiatives: Join environmentally conscious supporters' groups or initiatives to reduce football's environmental footprint.
Together, these small steps can make a big difference in reducing the environmental footprint of football and other sports. The more of us who are committed to a sustainable future, the better chance we have of influencing change in the sports we love!
In case you're a home football fan, order the CYCLE Limited Sport Pack, which will not only keep your home clean, but also your whole apartment, after the cheering fever. The table can often get dirty during the excitement, because food and drinks can spill out and spill around you, but it's OK, CYCLE helps even then. It cheers you on during the match and helps you clean up efficiently during the breaks. Clean. Of course.
Source:
https://earth.org/the-carbon-footprint-of-football/
https://plaex.net/blog/waste-management-in-football-stadiums
