January 18 – More than 80 of the UK’s professional clubs have committed to take part in a ‘Green Football Weekend’ February 3-5 to highlight issues of climate change. Fans and clubs are being encouraged to get involved with initiatives that will make a positive impact.
The Green Football Weekend is backed by the Football Association, the English Football League, the Women’s Super League, with some teams wearing green armbands for their league fixtures.
While Premier League clubs are conspicuous by their absence of commitment to the event, Brentford defender Ben Mee is backing the weekend of action, as is former Liverpool captain and Sky Sports’ pundit Jamie Carragher.
“The footballing community has the power to push the conversation forward and make real change that will help protect the world,” said Mee. “There are so many ways fans can support during Green Football Weekend – at home, at work, at their local football clubs – and every small action adds up to making a massive difference.”
Participating clubs will be in the ‘Green Football Cup’, where fans – playing for their clubs – can score green goals by taking climate-friendly actions. Actions could include having two meat-free days per week, turning down the thermostat by one degree or taking just a four-minute shower.
Organisers say small changes could have a big impact. If the UK’s 36 million football fans adopted three climate-friendly habits across the 20-day tournament they could save 700m kg CO2e – the equivalent of planting 11.78 million trees.
“The benefits go beyond helping tackle climate change and protecting nature. In taking part, fans can also make significant savings. By adopting these small changes for one year, they could reduce their household bill by up to £728,” said Green Football Weekend spokesperson Sarah Jacobs.
Fans can win prizes for taking part. To do so they need to register their ‘goals’ at www.greenfootballweekend.com.
An area of rainforest equivalent to 1,000 pitches will be protected by Rainforest Trust UK in the name of the winning club.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714094090labto1714094090ofdlr1714094090owedi1714094090sni@n1714094090osloh1714094090cin.l1714094090uap1714094090