Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’s Post

Spain was crowned champions of Europe this weekend in Berlin, denying England yet another trophy.🏆 I watched upcoming talents like Lamine Yamal shine but while researching I also noticed another noteworthy aspect of the Euros, which was its commitment to sustainability.🌲 Euro 2024, held in Germany🇩🇪, aimed to be the most sustainable football championship ever. The tournament, held in Germany—a powerhouse of sustainability—demonstrated significant efforts to be environmentally friendly. Here are the E, S, and G initiatives taken by the organisers- Environmental Initiatives:♻️ Euro 2024 focused on reducing its carbon footprint by promoting train travel for fans and minimizing car parking.🚗 Energy-efficient stadiums utilized renewable energy, reduced floodlighting, and prioritised water conservation. Vegan food options and recyclable packaging were available at venues, and reusable cups were used in public viewing areas. UEFA contributed to a Climate Fund to offset emissions and supported local environmental projects. Despite these efforts, the tournament generated approximately 500,000 tons of CO2, highlighting the inherent carbon footprint of such large events.🏭👣 Social Initiatives:👥 The tournament aimed to leave a positive legacy by raising climate awareness among fans and grassroots football clubs. UEFA’s Climate Fund supported German amateur clubs in developing projects on energy, water, waste management, and smart mobility. Initiatives like “Green Match” days and eco-friendly fan zones were designed to inspire sustainable practices at the grassroots level, fostering a more climate-conscious football culture.💲 Governance Initiatives:👨💼 UEFA and the German Football Federation (DFB) developed a comprehensive ESG strategy for Euro 2024, which included requiring teams to create emission-saving plans and promoting the use of low-emissions vehicles. The strategy emphasized creating a sustainable framework that can be replicated in future tournaments, ensuring long-term environmental and social benefits. Additionally, UEFA implemented rigorous monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track the tournament’s sustainability progress and impact. However, UEFA's reliance on sponsorships from fossil fuel industries and the expansion of its club competitions have been criticized for undermining these sustainability claims. Despite some criticisms, the tournament demonstrated a significant commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, paving the way for more sustainable sports events in the future. The long-term impact remains to be seen, but Euro 2024 serves as a crucial reference point for holding UEFA accountable for future sustainability efforts. #playforplanet #sustainabilityinsports #football #euros

The European Commission has adopted a report of the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024. 🏃🏻 📢 The report was produced as a result of consultations with Member States and other stakeholders and will help prepare the 2024-2027 plan, which is now being negotiated under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. What is the focus of the report? - Sustainability in sport ♻️ - Coping with the impact of the pandemic and the effect of geopolitical tensions 😷 - Supporting disadvantaged groups (disabled, elderly or long-term sick) ♿ Read more at 👉 https://bit.ly/3UZ2d22

Sustainability in Sport is a critical issue for the sector. We want to encourage the uptake of sport to maximise the positive social impact participation can have on individuals, whilst minimising our impact on the planet. Delighted that we can join together with our partners at Welsh Sports Association 🇺🇦 to help the sector tackle this challenge head on. #sustainability #sport #Wales #sustainableprocurement #socialimpact

The 'Green Pitch: New Frontiers for #Sustainable #Football Conference,' held on May 31 at UCL - University College London, focused on the #environmental #sustainability of football and the sport's contribution to achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda goals.   Coordinated by Francesca Medda - Director of UCL Institute of Finance and Technology - the event was attended by leading figures from UEFA, including Michele Uva - Director of Social and Environmental Sustainability; Andrea Traverso - Director Financial Sustainability and Research; Charles Frémont - Innovation Hub Manager, who presented the important Champion Innovate project; Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) CEO Maheta Molango; Pledgeball CEO Katie Cross; David Wheeler, professional footballer and PFA Sustainability Champion and Alessandro Umberto Belluzzo, Founding Partner of our firm.   The focus of discussion was UEFA's sustainability strategy, which includes targets for environmental and human rights to be achieved by 2030. The importance of European clubs adhering to UEFA's guidelines was emphasised, highlighting the increasing adoption of sustainable measures by clubs. These measures include using #renewableenergy to power stadiums, adopting uniforms made from environmentally #sustainablematerials, reducing plastic use at matches, ensuring proper waste management at stadiums, and promoting sustainable transportation options.   Awareness of #environmental #sustainability in #football goes beyond the players, teams and fans. Footballers' focus on sustainability issues positions them as role models for both teams and fans, necessitating ongoing initiatives in this area.   From a legal perspective, Alessandro Umberto Belluzzo, who has long advised footballers and athletes, noted that while there are no specific contractual rules yet, football clubs can still promote environmental sustainability through contract negotiations with players and in selecting and contracting sponsors.

🏙️ Check out this article about the #sustainability actions and investments that have been implemented at sports complex De Meent in Alkmaar within the framework of #POCITYF 🇳🇱 For Dutch speakers https://lnkd.in/dWkyQGuD

Football Festival'23 was an exciting event held in Sydney over the past week during the quarter finals week of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ 's World Cup. United with a goal of using football (soccer) to foster positive social change, especially among young people, Festival23 celebrated the power and influence of Football for Good by bringing together local and global football communities during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.   Last Saturday, the Football for Good Forum brought together role models and gamechanger who, systemically, are bringing social change to their organisations, sidelines and to their community/fan cultures. Most attendees were girls and women youth ambassadors from over 40 countries, who had spent the week immersed in workshops and forums. The day included panels, inspirational talks, workshops, networking and a photo exhibition to inspire participants to share experiences and pave the way for future generations to create a better world. Our CEO Jan Fitzgerald, was in Sydney for the event. She found both insights and inspiration from the conversations taking place around social impact.   “It was a privilege to hear from these incredible young women on Saturday. Each of them was there because of their desire to use football as a means of social change, and they shared the barriers they face, the challenges they’ve overcome and ultimately the hope they have. I came away inspired and moved by each of these young women, who really are the changemakers for the future .” Well done to Anne Bunde-Birouste and her team for coordinating this event. At Sports Environment Alliance , we focus on environmental issues and opportunities in sport, but we’re passionate about all social issues and the role sport has to be a force for good. Ultimately, environmental and social issues are intertwined, as without environmental stewardship there won’t be opportunities for sport in the future. #noplanetnoplay 🌏🙏💚 To find out more, reach out, or visit our website by following the link below. https://lnkd.in/gUWhjRxd #SEA_theChange #FriendsofSEA #oneplanetteam #PlanetMatters #NoPlanetB #Sport #SportandClimate #ClimageChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #ClimateEducation

How could the future EU sport agenda on sustainability look like? What is the most burning sustainability topic that needs to be addressed at policy level? Help our Board Member Orsolya Tolnay convey message to EU sport policy makers on the most relevant sport and sustainability issues #sport #sustainability #EUsportpolicy

2024 is almost here and there is so much to look forward to! But let's take a look at a big one: UEFA Euro 2024. The Euros are always a highlight in any football fan's calendar. But now, there’s another reason to look forward to the matches. Did you know that Euro 2024 has pledged it will be the most sustainable football tournament ever? The tournament struck up a deal with German public transport to help fans move to and from matches more sustainably. They’re also planning on measuring the carbon footprint of the event to create a benchmark for future tournaments to improve upon. Do you think we will see more sports events going sustainable in 2023? https://lnkd.in/eBhjEX8J #Sustainability #CustomerExperience #Packaging

The European Commission prepared the the report on ♻️ eco-friendly sports practices. The aim of this practical playbook to foster green 🌲 and sustainable sports. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_JCvK85 #EUGreenDeal

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗢𝗜𝗘𝗖) 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.   The immense positive power and passion that sport inspires has the remarkable ability to bring people together, transcending borders, cultures and differences. It is an essential pillar in promoting a more inclusive and peaceful world, rooted in the universal values and principles we cherish.   Historically, sport has always played a pivotal role in our societies, acting as a dynamic platform for communication, a space where the culture of peace is cultivated and flourishes. Its ability to unite individuals and teach respect, tolerance and perseverance is unrivalled. It is an invaluable tool that has always been used to promote the values cherished by the United Nations and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.   April 6, designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, is more than just a date. It is a celebration of the United Nations' recognition of the positive impact of sport on human, economic and social development.   On this special day, which takes place every year, we honour and recognise the constructive role that sport and physical activity play in communities and in the lives of people around the world. Sport is much more than an activity; it is a fundamental right, a powerful means of building strong social bonds, encouraging sustainable development, peace, solidarity and mutual respect.   This year's theme, "Sport for peaceful and inclusive societies", resonates deeply with our values. It reminds us that, through sport, we can build bridges, break down barriers and cultivate a culture of peace and inclusion.   On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, let us commit to promoting the values that sport embodies, celebrating its unifying power and working together for a world where sport continues to be a major force for good. ____ #OIEC #SportForPeace #InternationalSportDay #DevelopmentAndPeace