Sustainability Impact on Other Sports
Sustainability is one of the three pillars of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan of Barcelona. FC Barcelona has implemented energy-efficient lighting systems at its stadium, Camp Nou, and has introduced recycling programs. FC Barcelona has also teamed up with environmental organizations to raise awareness about sustainability among its fans. An example of this would be their “Guide for a Green Office” which was made to help staff reduce the carbon footprint generated by the club and all the participants. Below are clubs across Europe that have also joined the sustainability movement within their sports teams.
Forest Green Rovers is a football club based in England, known for its strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The club's owner, Dale Vince, has implemented numerous eco-friendly measures, including installing solar panels, which make them 100% green-electricity powered. An organic pitch made from used coffee grounds, bamboo and recycled plastics. They use electric vehicles for transportation, and serve vegan food at games.
Bayern Munich, a German football team, and has also shown a commitment to sustainability. The club's stadium, Allianz Arena, features a photovoltaic system that generates renewable energy, and the club has implemented waste reduction and recycling programs. Bayern Munich has also partnered with local environmental initiatives to promote sustainability in the community.
AS Roma has implemented several sustainability initiatives, including reducing energy consumption at its stadium, Stadio Olimpico, and promoting eco-friendly transportation options for fans attending matches. The club has also partnered with environmental organizations to organize initiatives aimed at raising awareness about climate change and environmental conservation.
https://www.sportpositiveleagues.com/team/bayern-munich-2021/
Morgan Lyons
After reading about your blog I found it really educational to learn about how different teams in Europe are implementing sustainable practices. Hearing that it is even a pillar of FC Barca's Strategic plan for Camp Nou was somewhat surprising to read about. This is a good start to have people use this tool of sustainability not only to spread awareness but set the example for other clubs. Every team that is slowly starting to have sustainability apart of there plan is moving in the right direction for the future of our world. I am curious to know how many sports teams are attempting to do the same, does it only apply to football, what about rugby or cricket clubs?
ReplyDelete-Marissa Martinez
This is interesting as it relates to Barcelona's new Camp Nou stadium that is currently under construction. I think for them to adopt this plan during a time period of renovation is a smart business strategy because they can implement these measures such as the energy efficient lighting systems into their construction plan for the new stadium. I am wondering if they are also promoting sustainability during their temporary period of playing at the Olympic Stadium while Camp Nou is under construction. While they may not be able to achieve the full scope of their sustainability goal while playing in a temporary, older stadium, it would be interesting to see if they are still able to implement aspects of this pillar into their day to day operations and push this message to their large fanbase.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your blog, I found it quite informational about the overlapping of sustainability and sports. Before reading this, I did not realize how much of an effect FC Barcelona can make on the environmental and waste side of things in the city of Barcelona. This is because Barcelona operates events that bring hundreds of thousands of spectators to their games each, creating mass waste events with the amount of trash that comes along with those games. It is empowering to see that clubs like FCB, Bayern Munich, and especially Forest Green Rovers which is fully sustainable are making an effort to combat climate change. My question to you is what do you believe is the right approach for these clubs to make, should every club being doing as much as Forest Green Rovers, or is the approach that FC Barcelona have enough in the world we live in now?
ReplyDelete-Shane Levey
Thanks for your response and interesting question! I believe that climate change is impacting our environment in ways that are almost irreversible and everything counts to turn back the clock on further destruction, and therefore every club needs to be doing as much as it can, taking after the Forest Green Rovers as an example. Living in Barcelona, we can see that we are in a drought and it has only rained a few times since we have been here. FC Barcelona, while they are doing a great amount to be a sustainable club, should do as much as they possibly can in order to limit further economic destruction and furthering of the drought. - Kathleen
DeleteAfter reading this blog it was clear to me the direction sports organizations are headed in the future. Many clubs have taken a stance for climate control and their ecological footprint on the world. It is interesting that many powerhouse clubs have chosen such a strong stance on climate control. Is it for political reasons, legal regulations, upper management decisions, etc. We have continued to see multinational corporations strive toward "going green" and it is clear from your research that football clubs are just as much a business. Nevertheless, it is great to see football clubs striving for a positive change on and off the pitch.
ReplyDelete-Charlie Furry
After reading this blog, I never realized how many football clubs are trying to create sustainability through sport. It was really interesting to see the multitude of ways that football clubs are trying to take part in the movement, specifically by trying to reduce waste, promote eco-friendly transportation, and install solar panels. I think it is important and essential that teams and clubs are taking part in this movement to reduce the carbon footprint in sports, as sporting events create large carbon footprint through transporting to and from the event, the stadium itself, and the waste that is made by the fans. Moreover, I did not realize how involved FC Barcelona was with this movement. It was interesting to learn how they have created recycling programs and added energy efficient lighting to Camp Nou. What initiatives do you think FC Barcelona can create to teach their fans on how they can be more sustainable when going to sports events and while at the sports events?
ReplyDelete- Rylie K.
Great question Rylie. I believe that FC Barcelona should take after rugby clubs in their education and teach their fans about circular economy. While promoting recycling at stadiums is a great effort, discussion of the circular economy, which is addressing issues of single-use plastic, short-life materials and waste management, would be more beneficial rather than just leaving different recycling bins around places. They also should promote reusability rather than recycling. This could be done by selling reusable water bottles or cups.
Deletehttps://www.world.rugby/organisation/sustainability/environment
- Kathleen
Hello, you did a great job explaining the impact that sustainability has on sports and specifically FC Barcelona with their new stadium upgrade. I think the idea of adding solar panels to stadiums is a great step to insure that they are being environmentally friendly and relying 100% on green-electricity. I did not know that FC Barcelona has that much of an impact on the city of Barcelona as a whole in terms of there sustainability and impact on the environment. I think the idea that AS Roma is using with eco-friendly transportation is also a creative way to try and be as socially/environmentally efficient as they can be. These steps that the clubs are taking are great measures in trying to help the community as well as their cities. Are more clubs following in their footsteps and have the effects of these changes been felt yet?
ReplyDelete-Aaron Felder
It's awesome to see major football clubs such as FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AS Roma take this monumental step in showcasing their efforts towards environmental sustainability in a variety of different aspects. For example, I was currently not aware the combination of used coffee grounds, bamboo, and recycled plastics were even capable of being converted in a football pitch, much less a field suitable for these top tier clubs. I believe having these influential clubs reducing their carbon footprint and setting a precedent for the future of sustainable stadium development will catch on like wild fire throughout not only the rest of European football, but on an international scale across all sports. Would you agree?
ReplyDelete- Conor Diedrich
I thought your blog post presented a great insight into the sustainability efforts of various football clubs, and I liked the diverse examples you presented. Forest Green Rovers' initiatives, such as crafting a pitch from bamboo, coffee grounds, and recycled plastic, left me genuinely intrigued. It's truly remarkable how they've repurposed materials, showcasing a commitment to sustainability that goes beyond the ordinary. The detailing of Bayern Munich's renewable energy at Allianz Arena and AS Roma's focus on reducing energy consumption and promoting eco-friendly transportation added depth to your post. I found it cool that these clubs are making substantial efforts to contribute positively to the environment. The fact that FC Barcelona's sustainability initiatives, like energy-efficient lighting and recycling programs, makes me appreciate the sport even more. - David Brubach
ReplyDeleteThanks David! While researching this topic I also founf it very interesting that not only FC Barcelona is making a plan to become more sustainable but so are other stadiums as well.
Delete^ Morgan Lyons
DeleteI wonder if there are any American sports clubs with similar programs. This seems to be fairly wide spread acorss European football but I have never heard of a program like any of these at the team or league level in the United States, but I would be surprised if there weren't any. - Ollie Brown
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It was very insightful and taught me a lot about what many of the clubs are doing to help be sustainable. I did not know that this many were environmentally conscious, and it shows how they can help the future even more with increasingly better technology. What do you think will be the next big improvement for clubs to be sustainable?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post! I learned a lot about how many clubs are trying to work towards a more sustainable environment and all of the things that they are doing. Before reading this, I was aware of the impact that a club has on the environment with regards to it's own city, but it's still crazy to wrap my head around. When just solely looking at the amount of waste generated by a single game is insane. It's good to see clubs such as FCB, Bayern Munich, and especially Forest Green Rovers, which is operating on a fully sustainable model. If we can continue to trend in the right direction we can address climate change and try to slow the damage we are leaving.
ReplyDeleteKudos to FC Barcelona and these clubs for tackling sustainability head-on! It's cool to see big football clubs like Barcelona, Forest Green Rovers, Bayern Munich, and AS Roma champion eco-friendly initiatives. These clubs are setting the standard, proving that sustainability and sports can go together!
ReplyDelete-Tati Clinton
I found this article inspiring. It's refreshing to see how clubs like Forest Green Rovers, Bayern Munich, and AS Roma are leading the movement in integrating sustainability practices within their operations. The fact that sustainability is a core pillar of FC Barcelona's strategic plan is a significant step forward. It's not just about setting a trend but about being proactive and setting a positive example for other clubs in the sports arena. I'm curious to know how this movement extends to other sports like rugby or cricket clubs.
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