Flooded Pitches, Vanishing Jerseys: Football’s Own Climate Crisis
Global Sporting Phenomenon Faces Environmental Backlash
As the world’s most watched pastime gathers momentum, its environmental footprint has come under increasing scrutiny. Growing concerns over climate impact, coupled with a perceived lag in proactive measures, prompt a call for urgent change.
Key Environmental Issues Highlighted:
- Energy Consumption: Major stadiums and arenas heavily rely on fossil fuels for heating, cooling, and lighting.
- Transportation: Fans flocking to events via personal vehicles, buses, or airplanes add significant CO₂ outputs.
- Material Waste: Disposable merchandise, plastic cups, and event banners contribute to landfill overload.
- Broadcast Logistics: Extensive travel by crews and the electrical demand of live streaming amplify the sport’s carbon imprint.
Calls for Climate Action:
Ecologists and local governments urge sports authorities to adopt renewable energy sources, promote public transit, and enforce strict recycling protocols. Advocates argue that the sport’s global reach offers a unique platform to champion sustainability.
Potential Corporate Responses:
- Partnering with green technology firms for venue energy transitions.
- Offering carbon-neutral tickets through offset programs.
- Aligning sponsorship payments with environmental performance metrics.
In a world increasingly attentive to climate ramifications, this celebrated sport must navigate the delicate balance between fan experience and ecological responsibility. The path forward lies in blending innovation with steadfast commitment to the planet.
Football’s Hidden Carbon Footprint Exposed in Global Report
For many, soccer is more than a pastime—it’s a passion that unites billions of fans worldwide. According to FIFA, roughly five billion people identify as supporters of the sport. The 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar captured a staggering 1.5 billion viewers, and annual match attendance averages 220 million fans around the globe. In Europe alone, the football industry is valued at €35.3 billion.
New Findings Reveal a Dark Side
Scientists for Global Responsibility and the New Weather Institute have released a report titled “Dirty Tackle”, shedding light on the environmental impact of the sport.
Key Takeaways
- Global football emissions amount to 64–66 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
- This figure is comparable to the entire carbon output of Austria.
- The industry’s footprint includes stadium operations, team travel, and fan transportation.
Clubs Responding to Climate Concerns
Many clubs are now actively addressing climate change through innovative outreach. They engage supporters with:
- In‑game campaigns highlighting sustainable practices.
- Collaborations with environmental charities.
- Promotion of eco‑friendly merchandise and transport initiatives.
While the passion for football continues to thrive, it’s clear that the sport’s environmental costs demand urgent action. The new report urges stakeholders, from governing bodies to sponsors, to adopt greener strategies to protect the beautiful game for future generations.
Why football is a ‘dirty game’ for the planet
Football’s Carbon Footprint Under Scrutiny
For the first time, the Dirty Tackle report has mapped the sports world’s CO₂ emissions with unprecedented detail, revealing a disturbing rise in the industry’s pollution footprint.
What the Study Shows
- Football is emerging as one of the highest polluters in the sporting arena.
- Emission levels are on an upward trend, indicating a growing contribution to climate change.
- The research provides solid evidence that the sector is not yet equipped to adequately tackle its environmental impact.
“This research documents compelling evidence that football is a major polluter and its contribution to climate change is growing,” Dr. Stuart Parkinson cautions. “It also shows that there is little indication that decision‑makers are prepared to assess the game’s pollution problem, let alone take the necessary steps to reduce it.”
Related Coverage
- Cardiff, Seville, Marseille – European stadiums most at risk from climate change.
- Kylian Mbappé and team will travel by train under new climate‑conscious French football rules.
Where do football’s greenhouse gas emissions come from?
Football’s Carbon Footprint: Three Key Contributors
1. Travel – The Largest Emission Source
In the latest study, transportation emerged as the predominant source of greenhouse gases linked to the sport. An average match in a domestic men’s league was estimated to produce around 1,700 tonnes of CO2. Roughly half of this figure comes from fans driving to stadiums.
When international fixtures are added to the mix, travel-related emissions climb by approximately 50 %, as a larger share of spectators opt for flights rather than road transport.
Big events, such as the men’s World Cup final, can push these numbers up to 42 times higher than a local match, driven by fans arriving from distant countries.
Team operations also contribute. In 2023, 81 domestic short-haul flights were recorded by English Premier League clubs over a two-month span, some of which lasted as little as 27 minutes.
2. Stadium Construction
Building football arenas is a capital-intensive process that releases massive amounts of carbon. For the 2022 FIFA World Cup, seven permanent stadiums were constructed, emitting an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of CO2. The upcoming 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will see the erection of 11 new venues, with observers warning that the environmental impact could be “off the scale.”
3. Sponsorships and Corporate Partnerships
Assessing emissions from brand deals is more complex, yet the evidence suggests a significant contribution. In April 2024, FIFA inked a partnership with the global oil conglomerate Aramco. UEFA has long-standing ties with Qatar Airways, and numerous clubs enjoy backing from oil and gas firms, aviation companies, automobile manufacturers, and fast‑food chains.
Because these sponsors operate in high-carbon industries, the report estimates that 75 % of football’s total emissions are linked to sponsorship finance. The infusion of such green‑hazardous funding reinforces climate‑damaging behaviors—such as driving large SUVs and flying—to fans and players alike.
What This Means for the Future of Football
“Allowing football to serve as a vehicle for a nation’s rebranding, particularly through the Saudi 2034 agenda, isolates players, supporters, and the planet,” said Dutch footballer Tessel Middag. “Securing a sustainable and inclusive future for the sport demands decisive leadership from top‑level stakeholders.”
Key Recommendations
- Reduce the expansion of international fixtures and focus on regional tournaments.
- Encourage teams to limit short‑haul travel and explore greener transport options.
- Scrutinise sponsorship deals to avoid partnerships that exacerbate carbon emissions.
- Adopt more environmentally conscious construction practices for new stadiums.
The last country without a football team designs a ‘vanishing’ shirt to press home its message
Marshall Islands: A Soccer Story on the Edge of the Ocean
Located far from mainland shores, the Marshall Islands—home to only about 42,000 residents—stands out as the sole United Nations country lacking a formally recognized national football squad. With a federation, a playing field, and local talent, the nation has all the trappings of a team, yet official endorsement from organizations such as FIFA remains elusive.
Clash With Rising Waters
- Average elevation is under six feet, making the islands highly vulnerable.
- Even a one‑metre rise would submerge roughly 80% of Majuro Atoll, where half the population resides.
- NASA data records a 10‑centimetre ascent in sea level over the past three decades.
“2030 No Home” – A Journeyman Kit
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation (MISF), collaborating with sports apparel partner PlayerLayer, launched a distinctive kit aimed at raising awareness about the islands’ plight. Dubbed the “2030 No Home” jersey, the design metaphorically faded during the marketing campaign, mirroring the gradual erosion the islands face.
Design Elements Reflecting Culture and Climate
- Illustrations of outrigger canoes and great white sharks showcase traditional maritime elements.
- Native flora and fauna adorn the surface, celebrating local heritage.
- The numeral 1.5 references the global temperature target cemented under the Paris Agreement.
Sport as Advocacy
According to MISF representatives, establishing a national team serves a dual purpose: instilling national pride through competition and spotlighting climate concerns on a global stage empowered by soccer’s worldwide audience.
Pacific Islands on the Frontline
Without strategic adaptation measures, the Marshall Islands could become the first country to undergo catastrophic loss due to sea‑level rise. Others—Micronesia, the Maldives, Tuvalu, and Kiribati—share similar geographic vulnerabilities and face comparable risks.
What are football teams and players doing about climate change?
Climate’s Growing Influence on the Beautiful Game
Unpredictable Weather Shakes Up Fixtures
- Rain turns fields into muddy quagmires.
- Frozen pitches halt play until the ice melts.
- Strong winds disrupt match conditions and fan enjoyment.
Ground-Level Challenges in England
According to the Football Association (FA), about 100,000 grassroots matches each year are cancelled because the pitches become uneven, waterlogged, or outright unsafe.
Climate Change’s Growing Threat to Grassroots Football
Every year, thousands of local football matches are postponed or cancelled because the pitches become unplayable – a problem that could worsen dramatically unless decisive measures are taken.
Projecting the Future of England’s Football Grounds
- Studies estimate that by 2050, 25 % of the UK’s football fields could suffer from partial or complete flooding.
- Coastal arenas such as Cardiff City’s ground and Hull City’s MKM stadium face the risk of full submersion.
- These changes are expected to disrupt local communities and compromise the sustainability of club operations.
Players Championing Environmental Action
Many footballers are now using the sport’s platform to raise awareness about climate change:
- Héctor Bellerín – As an Arsenal player, he pledged to plant 3,000 trees for every win he is part of.
- Patrick Bamford – The Leeds striker introduced a “lightning bolt” hand gesture to symbolize the planet.
- Other athletes are adopting eco‑friendly honours and publicising green initiatives around match days.
Why It Matters: The Economic and Cultural Impact
When pitches become unplayable, the ripple effects reach beyond the field itself:
- Local clubs face financial losses from ticket rescheduling and damaged stadiums.
- Young athletes lose essential training opportunities that could affect career progression.
- Communities experience a decline in social cohesion and community identity.
Case in Point: “Lightning Bolt” as a Call to Action
In a recent Instagram post, Bamford clarified that his hand sign is not just a celebratory pose:
“Celebrating with the bolt is my way of standing up for the Earth,” he wrote. “Climate change is a direct threat to sport. If we remain passive, the damage will only increase.” [Bamford’s message]
Such gestures, coupled with grassroots advocacy, remind us that sport can drive sustainable change when its athletes lead the charge.
Time to Act
The bottom line is clear: if football ground maintenance does not adapt to climate realities, the sport’s future will be compromised. It is time for clubs, governing bodies, and fans to collaborate on sustainable environmental strategies that preserve the game for generations to come.
Forest Green Rovers Pioneering Sustainable Football Stadiums
Commitment to Climate Action
Gloucestershire’s Forest Green Rovers are at the forefront of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, which urges clubs to cut emissions by 50 % by 2030 and reach net‑zero by 2040. The club’s environmental ambition is already reflected in its daily operations and future plans.
Innovative Green Features
- Solar Power & Organic Pitch – The stadium is fully powered by renewable energy. An organic surface is maintained by a solar‑powered robot lawnmower, eliminating chemical treatments.
- Water Conservation – Recycled rainwater feeds irrigation systems, dramatically reducing dependence on mains water.
- Carbon‑Neutral Heritage – Forest Green Rovers were the first club worldwide to achieve carbon‑neutral status in 2018, earning UN certification.
Future Plans: A Wood‑Based, Biodiversity‑Friendly Stadium
Owned by British green‑energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, the club is constructing a brand‑new stadium largely made from wood. The design incorporates:
- Tree stands to capture carbon and provide shade
- Hedgerows and wetland areas to support local wildlife
- Self‑sustaining ecosystems that enhance biodiversity
When completed, the venue will boast the lowest carbon footprint of any stadium worldwide, further cementing Forest Green Rovers’ role as pioneers of sustainable sport.
Eco Park Stadium Promises to Foster Biodiversity
Forest Green Rovers Lead with Sustainable Vision
The newly unveiled Eco Park stadium by Forest Green Rovers aims to dramatically boost local biodiversity, setting a bold precedent for green infrastructure in football. By integrating native landscaping, wildlife corridors, and green roofs, the venue pledges to become a sanctuary for both flora and fauna right alongside the stands.
Industry-wide Efforts and the Road Ahead
While this milestone is a notable step forward, the broader football community faces an even larger challenge. Clubs, leagues, and governing bodies must collectively confront the lingering influence of corporations whose operations heavily pollute the environment. The Dirty Tackle report, for instance, argues that severing ties with such sponsors will be a decisive victory for the sport’s sustainability agenda.
Key Takeaways from the Report
- Immediate Action Required: Teams and associations should urgently reevaluate partnership agreements that directly contribute to climate change.
- Global Impact: Football’s extensive cultural reach offers a unique platform to shift worldwide conversations about climate resilience and prevent disasters similar to those unfolding in cities like Los Angeles.
- Community Pressure: Fan-led movements, exemplified by Bayern Munich’s removal of Qatar Airways as a shirt sponsor and the push from over one hundred women’s clubs, demonstrate the power of public opinion in driving corporate responsibility.
The “Aramco” Sponsorship Controversy
Despite increased awareness, the sport still grapples with sponsorships tied to major polluters. The High-profile call to end the partnership between FIFA and Aramco underscores the industry’s conflicting priorities—balancing financial incentives against ecological stewardship.
Moving Forward: A Call for Collective Commitment
Researchers emphasize that securing a stable climate future for football hinges on collective ambition. By aligning sponsorship decisions with environmental ethics, the football world can lead by example, potentially influencing global policy and safeguarding ecosystems for generations.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
- Review and redefine sponsorship criteria to exclude companies with significant carbon footprints.
- Implement transparent reporting on environmental impacts of stadium operations.
- Promote community engagement initiatives that celebrate local biodiversity and encourage active participation.
