Post by account_disabled on Feb 14, 2024 2:40:59 GMT -5
Football, much more than a simple sport, stands as a global phenomenon capable of uniting nations, touching hearts and being a catalyst for social change. In the glare of the stadiums and the unbridled passion of the fans, football has been proclaimed as an instrument for sustainable development, according to Eco Business . However, behind the effervescence of goals and celebrations, lies a dilemma that challenges the very essence of this noble aspiration. Is it possible to reconcile the idea of football as an engine of development with its hidden environmental impact, which poses a latent threat to the sustainability of the planet? More than football With a fan base of 3.5 billion, almost half of the world's population, football stands as the most popular sport in the world. However, this massive popularity also comes with a significant carbon footprint that affects the environment. With a global rise in sustainable awareness, it is imperative to analyze how football contributes to CO2 emissions and what measures are being taken to mitigate this impact. From the generation of emissions from energy use in stadiums, the travel of fans and teams, broadcasting, the multi-billion dollar market for kits and other products, and even meals during match days, this sport has a negative impact on the climate of the planet. In this regard, the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA), the institution that governs soccer federations globally, estimated that emissions from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would reach approximately 3.6 million tons, promoting the event as the first completely carbon neutral tournament due to offsets. However, an independent Swiss regulator later ruled that the claims were false and misleading . Carbon neutrality involves balancing greenhouse gas emissions generated by an event with measures that offset or reduce these emissions elsewhere.
Although offsets are often used to offset emissions, sustainability specialists argue that their use provides valuable environmental benefits but is not the ultimate solution to addressing carbon emissions. How much football pollutes Estimates of football's carbon footprint often underestimate its real impact by failing to consider vital activities such as stadium construction. Travel, both for fans and teams, is identified as the largest contribution. During the 2016-2017 season, travel accounted for 61 percent of the English Premier League 's carbon footprint , according to a 2019 study. Despite difficulties in accurately calculating emissions, some clubs have taken significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint. A notable example is the English fourth division club Forest Green Rovers, recognized as “the greenest football club in the world”. Since 2010, it has adopted 100% renewable energy, implemented India Phone Number List completely vegan menus, rainwater recycling and electric vehicle charging points. Other European clubs have followed suit, investing in renewable energy to power stadiums, using biofuels in buses and offering training on better environmental practices for their players. But even when data is available to know how much football pollutes, experts say clubs and event organizers often fail to produce accurate estimates, while their efforts to reduce emissions often take the form of offsetting. Sustainability in sport: a challenge While air travel increases football's carbon footprint, other sports also face similar challenges in environmental terms. Skydivers have the highest individual footprint in sports, followed by golfers, including the manufacturing and use of pesticides and fertilizers. Formula 1 estimates that a season emits around 256 thousand tons of CO2e, similar to the annual emissions of 55 thousand normal cars. Despite individual efforts by some clubs and organisations, there is a lack of massive drive to decarbonise football.
Critics such as Thom Rawson, founder of the advisory organization Sustainable Football, advocate for carbon reporting standards and minimum standards to hold clubs accountable. He also points out that the Premier League's accession to the United Nations Sports Climate Action Framework and the emissions reduction commitments of several clubs are positive steps, but a more concerted effort is required at a global level. Leave out polluting sponsors British sports journalist and researcher David Goldblatt said football also needs to "draw the line" on sponsorship by fossil fuel companies. FIFA has also been criticized for not prioritizing the environment in its bidding process, with oil giant Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup. Goldblatt also questioned the logic of expanding competitions or holding them in multiple locations, although reserving some tickets for locals could help reduce emissions, he said. The 2026 men's World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, while the 2030 World Cup has been awarded to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host matches to mark the tournament's centenary. FIFA has also increased the number of teams in the men's World Cup from 32 to 48, while the women's tournament featured 32 teams this year, up from 24. Football as an engine of change Despite the challenges, the immense popularity of football presents a real opportunity to educate and mobilize people in the fight against climate change. The UN initiative, “Sport for Climate Action”, requires signatories to reduce their emissions and reach net zero by 2040. If football can be mobilized in the service of climate action, it could make a significant contribution. Ultimately, football is at an environmental crossroads: it must balance its global expansion and enormous popularity with environmental responsibility. The implementation of sustainable measures, transparency in reporting and global collaboration are essential to ensure that football, one of the most popular sports in the world, not only remains vibrant on the field, but also in engagement. environmental. “We have bigger problems than we could have imagined before, but we also have better tools that we really understand, and this is just one of them, among many others.
Although offsets are often used to offset emissions, sustainability specialists argue that their use provides valuable environmental benefits but is not the ultimate solution to addressing carbon emissions. How much football pollutes Estimates of football's carbon footprint often underestimate its real impact by failing to consider vital activities such as stadium construction. Travel, both for fans and teams, is identified as the largest contribution. During the 2016-2017 season, travel accounted for 61 percent of the English Premier League 's carbon footprint , according to a 2019 study. Despite difficulties in accurately calculating emissions, some clubs have taken significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint. A notable example is the English fourth division club Forest Green Rovers, recognized as “the greenest football club in the world”. Since 2010, it has adopted 100% renewable energy, implemented India Phone Number List completely vegan menus, rainwater recycling and electric vehicle charging points. Other European clubs have followed suit, investing in renewable energy to power stadiums, using biofuels in buses and offering training on better environmental practices for their players. But even when data is available to know how much football pollutes, experts say clubs and event organizers often fail to produce accurate estimates, while their efforts to reduce emissions often take the form of offsetting. Sustainability in sport: a challenge While air travel increases football's carbon footprint, other sports also face similar challenges in environmental terms. Skydivers have the highest individual footprint in sports, followed by golfers, including the manufacturing and use of pesticides and fertilizers. Formula 1 estimates that a season emits around 256 thousand tons of CO2e, similar to the annual emissions of 55 thousand normal cars. Despite individual efforts by some clubs and organisations, there is a lack of massive drive to decarbonise football.
Critics such as Thom Rawson, founder of the advisory organization Sustainable Football, advocate for carbon reporting standards and minimum standards to hold clubs accountable. He also points out that the Premier League's accession to the United Nations Sports Climate Action Framework and the emissions reduction commitments of several clubs are positive steps, but a more concerted effort is required at a global level. Leave out polluting sponsors British sports journalist and researcher David Goldblatt said football also needs to "draw the line" on sponsorship by fossil fuel companies. FIFA has also been criticized for not prioritizing the environment in its bidding process, with oil giant Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup. Goldblatt also questioned the logic of expanding competitions or holding them in multiple locations, although reserving some tickets for locals could help reduce emissions, he said. The 2026 men's World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, while the 2030 World Cup has been awarded to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host matches to mark the tournament's centenary. FIFA has also increased the number of teams in the men's World Cup from 32 to 48, while the women's tournament featured 32 teams this year, up from 24. Football as an engine of change Despite the challenges, the immense popularity of football presents a real opportunity to educate and mobilize people in the fight against climate change. The UN initiative, “Sport for Climate Action”, requires signatories to reduce their emissions and reach net zero by 2040. If football can be mobilized in the service of climate action, it could make a significant contribution. Ultimately, football is at an environmental crossroads: it must balance its global expansion and enormous popularity with environmental responsibility. The implementation of sustainable measures, transparency in reporting and global collaboration are essential to ensure that football, one of the most popular sports in the world, not only remains vibrant on the field, but also in engagement. environmental. “We have bigger problems than we could have imagined before, but we also have better tools that we really understand, and this is just one of them, among many others.