According to Globals Sport Matters, the soccer industry also has responsibilities to the environment. It generates more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, producing almost the same amount as a small country like Denmark. It also emits polluting gases through continuous travel, the use of electrical energy, the construction of facilities, and catering services.
As a result, events such as Green Football Weekend have been created in favor of the climate. This event is an annual initiative in which more than 80 professional clubs in the United Kingdom participate, making a commitment to care for the planet. It is held between February 3 and 5 each year and seeks to raise awareness among fans to take environmentally friendly measures. At the same time, save money.
How to promote environmental care
The clubs also hold a tournament so that fans can score ecological goals in favor of the climate and take concrete measures to care for the environment, such as not consuming meat for two days a week, taking care of water when showering, taking care of energy consumption, etc.
This initiative seeks to produce big changes from small actions. For example, if the 36 million soccer fans in the United Kingdom implemented three environmentally friendly habits during 20 days of the tournament, 700 million kilograms of CO2 could be saved, which is equivalent to planting 11.78 million trees.
Climate experts and specialized organizations have pointed out the urgency of international collaboration to make a real change that will help save the planet and preserve the temperature of the planet below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Russel Seymour, executive director of the British Association for Sustainable Sport (BASIS), says clubs can demonstrate that it is possible to live, work, and play sustainably. As well as promoting sustainable habits on and off the field so that fans and others follow their example.
UNIB offers studies of the Master in Environmental Management and Audits.
Source: Can soccer mitigate climate change? Green Football Weekend
