Green Football Weekend: Shooting For Action And Impact
For the second year running Green Football Weekend is mobilizing fans, clubs, leagues, players, broadcasters and partners to help protect our planet. The world’s biggest football campaign to tackle climate change takes place this weekend, 2 to 5 February. Since 18 January through to 7 February fans can earn points for their club, which are then added to the Green Football standings. Fans can win prizes and importantly, see their favourite team lift the trophy.
Clubs are getting involved by hosting environmentally-friendly games, providing green transport alternatives for fans, offering special deals on veggie snacks and using the opportunity to showcase their efforts to build a greener future.
This year is powered by Ecotricity and the theme is Transfer To Veg. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation reports that 14.5% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to livestock farming, so making the switch to more vegetarian or plant-based meals can make a real impact. To help with inspiration, big names in football and food have created the Green Football Weekend Veggie Cookbook, with recipes from the likes of Raheem Sterling, Amy Turner, Tom Kerridge and Levi Roots.
Can it make a difference?
80% of UK residents surveyed in 2023 expressed concern about climate change and football is a favourite pastime of millions of Britons. About 30 million people identify themselves as fans of the sport and almost 1 million of them attend live matches on weekends between August and May.
The source of this pastime however is under threat, with football already being impacted by climate change, and the global football industry contributing to the crisis too. Football lovers have got skin in the game and they’ve started making themselves known. According to the Green Football Weekend post-match report from last year, the inaugural 2023 campaign actively engaged an estimated 39,000 fans online and activated 3,211 fans in 63,370 direct actions or pledges.
There are many initiatives already in place to enable action on climate and biodiversity within sport, but it’s not just about making changes behind the scenes. To leverage the true power they hold, football organizations should use their reach to connect, communicate and advocate for wider climate action. Green Football Weekend and efforts like it can help with momentum and keeping this topic on the agenda.
