UEFA carbon zero commitment to the fore

Article posted by Coliseum, March 15^th, 2024

Image: UEFA

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) recently announced a significant milestone in its commitment to environmental sustainability with the launch of a carbon footprint calculator tailor-made to football organizations.

‘UEFA’ stated that the UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator, an innovative online tool, marks a pivotal step towards reducing carbon emissions within the football community and underscores the UEFA’s dedication to being a proactive force in the fight against climate change.

Nyon (Switzerland)-based the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is one of six continental bodies of governance in association football. It governs football, futsal and beach football in Europe and the transcontinental countries of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan, as well as the Asian country Israel. The UEFA consists of 55 national association members. Since 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FIFA and the UEFA has suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from any FIFA and UEFA competitions.

‘UEFA’ further stated that recognizing the pressing need for a reduction of the carbon footprint of European football, the UEFA has integrated climate advocacy in its Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, Strength through Unity. With the launch of the Carbon Footprint Calculator at the 60,704-capacity Emirates Stadium in London (UK), the UEFA aims to empower the member-associations, the clubs and the leagues to become active drivers of change.

The UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, Strength through Unity is based on the idea that the complex issues can only be solved by working with all the football stakeholders, agreeing on a shared agenda, using a common language, and adopting a consistent approach.

Based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and with the methodology validated by a third party, the UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator is the result of a collaborative effort spanning two years, engaging two dozen football organizations and external advisors. It enables the football organizations to comprehensively assess and understand their carbon emissions, with a focus on the football-specific areas such as mobility, purchased goods and services, facilities and logistics.

Averred Laura McAllister, UEFA Vice-President, “The UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator embodies our ambition to showcase that football can be part of the solution in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. By providing the stakeholders with the tools and guidance, we are facilitating collective action towards a more sustainable future for our sport and the planet. Together, we can demonstrate to the Governments, investors, fans, and the commercial partners that football is committed to addressing climate change in a unified and strategic manner.”

In addition to the Calculator, the UEFA has also produced a user guide, tutorial videos and a full methodology document to support users at every step of their sustainability journey. By offering these resources, the UEFA aims to promote transparency, consistency and comparability in carbon reporting across the football ecosystem.

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