Featured image credit: Humberto Santos on Unsplash
UEFA, football’s European governing body, has launched a carbon footprint calculator as part of its continued commitment to environmental sustainability.
The UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator has been tailor-made to football organisations. UEFA said the online tool marks a “pivotal step” towards reducing carbon emissions within the sport.
The tool is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and features methodology validated by a third party. The launch comes after a two-year process which saw UEFA engage 24 football organisations and external advisors.
UEFA hopes the Carbon Footprint Calculator will enable football organisations to comprehensively assess and understand their carbon emissions. A focus will be placed on football-specific areas such as mobility, purchased goods and services, facilities and logistics.
UEFA has integrated climate advocacy in its Football Sustainability Strategy 2030. The Carbon Footprint Calculator launched at Emirates Stadium, home of Premier League club Arsenal.
A user guide, tutorial videos and a full methodology document have been produced by UEFA to support users during their sustainability journey.
Laura McAllister, UEFA vice-president, said: “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 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 governments, investors, fans, and commercial partners that football is committed to addressing climate change in a unified and strategic manner.”
In November 2022, UEFA launched its new Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines, which covered key subjects such as purpose, location, design, conception and construction, pitch and landscaping.
UEFA has introduced several sustainability initiatives around the Champions League finals as part of its relationship with PepsiCo.
PepsiCo and UEFA are aiming to achieve the goal of making Champions League finals “zero waste to landfill” by 2026 through the company’s Pepsi, Lay’s, Doritos and Gatorade brands.
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