EURO 2021 FOOTBALL CUP: THE GREEN ISSUE

SPECIAL REPORT | MAY 2021 https://eurac.tv/9T6k

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The 16th edition of the European football cup starts in June with a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 cri- sis. With growing attention being paid to the climate impact of spectator sports, EURACTIV looks into how green this edition will be. Contents

Will this year’s Euro cup have lessons for football’s climate impacts? 4

UEFA director: ‘It is important for us to show leadership in greening football’ 7

Wembley Arena: an old stadium with a new, green vision 10

Baku Olympic Stadium: newer can mean greener 12

Munich’s : a paragon of climate neutrality? 14 4 SPECIAL REPORT | EURO 2021 FOOTBALL CUP: THE GREEN ISSUE | EURACTIV Will this year’s Euro cup have lessons for football’s climate impacts?

By Dave Keating | EURACTIV.com

The official UEFA EURO 2020 mascot Skillzy (C) and former French player David Trezeguet (L) pose with the UEFA EURO trophy at Football park in St. Petersburg, , 22 May 2021. St. Petersburg is one of the host cities of the UEFA EURO 2020, which was postponed one year due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. [EPA-EFE/ANATOLY MALTSEV]

here are many things that And just to add to the strangeness by 55% by 2020 and to net zero by football stadiums can do to of this particular edition, this year 2050. Each sector is being asked to do Treduce their environmental it will take place across 11 European its part to help get to this goal. impact. But in an international countries instead of the usual one tournament system, reducing or two. That initiative was taken And some are questioning whether emissions is inevitably difficult. before the pandemic by then UEFA holding a tournament across 11 chief , who defended countries is in keeping with that green The 16th edition of the UEFA it as a “romantic” one-off event to ideal. Tournaments are already rough European Championship is set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the on the climate because of the large be a tournament like none other competition. energy usage of stadiums, and adding before it. Euro 2020 was postponed – extra travel to the mix can only add to during a year in which the pandemic But at the same time, this year’s the emissions, critics say. constrained sporting events across the tournament is coming as more and world – but the contest is going ahead more attention is being paid to the A big stadium consumes about in June with limited audience capacity. climate impact of spectator sports. The 10,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of EU has set a goal of reducing emissions electricity per year, and up to 25,000

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KWh during a 90-minute match. The matches. travelled to Paris by plane when the energy used during just one match same journey would take two hours could power a dozen homes for an But at the same time, the new idea by train. She also attacked Paris Saint- entire year. to have the tournament spread out Germain for flying to Dijon, which is over 11 countries rather than one or only one hour and a half away from Lighting alone accounts for almost two could set a dangerous precedent. Paris by train. To make things worse, 40% of total energy used during a If teams and fans were to travel all the club’s bus drove all the way to match, according to the consumer over for the next tournament Dijon empty in order to welcome the consultancy Selectra. That isn’t after the pandemic, it could majorly players at the airport. just about lighting the pitch evenly, increase the tournament’s emissions. it’s also for scoreboards, monitors Could these teams limit and advertising screens. Catering GROWING PRESSURE themselves to public transport? accounts for about 20%, as does “When you’re thinking about the heating and cooling. The powerful Such a development would be future of tournaments, if you could satellite transmitters and HD cameras going against the grain of public do it all by public transport links that needed for broadcasting the games opinion. There are a growing number would make a big difference,” says account for about 11%. of fan initiatives trying to make Rogers. “That’s easier for a lower football greener. division team than for an international “It is estimated your average team. But even if they could just fly World Cup stadium could power a In , an initiative called commercially instead of by minijet, or small town without breaking a sweat, “Unser Fußball” (Our Football) if they could make half their travel in from kick off until the final whistle,” has been launched to promote fair a season by public transport, it would Selectra concludes. competition as well as greater social send a clear message and reduce their and environmental responsibility overall carbon footprint.” And that’s just part of a football for football clubs. It has already been tournament’s overall carbon signed by almost 3,000 fan clubs “There are huge challenges when footprint. The 2018 World Cup in representing a total of around half a you have an international fan base Russia is estimated to have produced million fans. and an international competition, 2.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent because it’s extravagant,” she adds. – comparable to the emissions from “There is a broad fan base that “You’re not going to be able to remove producing a half pint of beer for is calling for a change in values all of the energy consumption issues every person on the planet – says in football,” says Manuel Gaber, a from a massive event like that. But Charlie Rogers, a consultant with the spokesperson for the initiative. But one of the biggest impacts is not the environmental consultancy Small “surprisingly little has happened on actual energy use of the tournament World. the part of clubs and associations.” itself, it’s influencing the millions of people that are going to be watching. “The biggest percentage was In , football clubs are also You have so many eyes watching, and transport – that was 74% of the under increasing pressure. French if they have an opportunity to change total carbon footprint of the fans Green MEP Karima Delli, who chairs so many people’s habits.” and teams.” Accommodation made the European Parliament’s transport up 12%, food and beverage 5%, sommittee, lashed out at football But are football fans keen to temporary facility construction 4%, clubs last year for their excessive change their ways to lower their and merchandise production 3%. travel. climate impact? The data suggests they’re not – yet. The Life Tackle Given that transport is the biggest “If climate change is an issue for project, an international project contributor to a football tournament’s everyone, it should be too for the spearheaded by the EU, with which emissions, this year’s EURO2020 world of football,” she told EURACTIV. EURACTIV is involved, is seeking offers the promise of a cleaner cup to disseminate best environmental because there will be much fewer She was particularly enraged practice in football, and it’s been people travelling abroad to attend when she heard the Lyon football club looking at the issue of fan action.

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A study carried out by Sant’Anna could clubs and stadium managers period to stimulate photosynthesis School of Advanced Studies in Pisa as do more to make their role in the when there’s low sunlight. This part of Life Tackle last year found that transformation of football more is a very big impact, something while the majority of football fans are visible? like 30% of the total according to aware of the importance of protecting our estimation. And of course the the environment, they’ve done little STADIUM ACTIONS supporters are unaware of this.” to change their own behaviour as football fans in order to do so. There’s clearly a lot that can be This is where local weather done. As already mentioned, stadiums conditions can have a big impact. Two-thirds of those surveyed are big users of energy. The amount of A stadium in or doesn’t said they always use a car to get to electricity they consume depends on a need these special methods to grow stadiums. The respondents were lot of things: the weather, the time of grass, and don’t need to heat the seats. largely unaware of the environmental year, the stadium’s age, and size, and The Life Tackle project is currently impact of football. For instance they whether it has a dome, for example. conducting a lifecycle assessment to could not identify stadium lighting, see whether stadiums in Northern water irrigation and transportation Perhaps the biggest thing that countries could do better by the as the biggest emissions producers can determine a stadium’s climate climate by buying natural grass from of football. And half said they believe impact is whether its able to generate warmer places and bringing it in changing their individual behaviour any of its own electricity. The most with trucks, or using these artificial would not do anything. important consideration, however, is stimulation methods. how often the stadium is used, and “We observed that the fans what it’s used for. In this special report we will look mostly just see the impacts that at how stadiums can reduce their they see during the match,” says “These aren’t just stadiums, they’re environmental impact by looking at Professor Tiberio Daddi, the scientific buildings as well,” says Jed Cohen, a three venues for the upcoming Euro coordinator of the project. “They senior expert and project leader at 2020 tournament: Baku’s Olympic mentioned waste, because they know Energy Institute who is involved with Stadium, ’s Wembley Arena, after the match they see between the the EU-funded Greenfoot program, and ’s Allianz Arena. In a year seats a lot of waste on the floor. But which is helping stadiums go green. where so many football plans are they’re not fully aware of the relevance Many football stadiums also include desperate for a return to normality, of transport of supporters, because for offices for the football clubs or perhaps there are ways to get to a ‘new them it’s not something they think is national leagues. “Their use profile normal’ with football that isn’t so linked with the match. But with the varies a lot. In one day they can be tough on the environment. cabron footprint study we have carried using a ton of energy with 80,000 out, mobility is a very huge impact people there. But 90% of the year you compared to other environmental have 40 people in the office.” aspects. They also didn’t know some hidden consumption that can be When it comes to energy, the big linked with the management of the users aren’t actually the most obvious stadium, they just attend the match elements that fans see. “Energy but dn’t see the management.” consumption isn’t only coming from the lighting of the pitch, but also from The results show a clear techniques that a lot of pitches have misalignment between the real in order to stimulate the growth of impacts of football matches and the the grass,” notes Daddi. “For instance, perception of the fans, he says. But they use some lamps in the winter SPECIAL REPORT | EURO 2021 FOOTBALL CUP: THE GREEN ISSUE | EURACTIV 7

INTERVIEW UEFA director: ‘It is important for us to show leadership in greening football’

By Dave Keating | EURACTIV.com

Michele Uva is UEFA’s Director for Football Social Responsibility. [@UEFA / Twitter]

ven with its unique pan- 2020 cup has brought renewed attention lower their environmental impact? European nature and reductions to the environmental impacts of football. Ein fan travel due to the Michele Uva, UEFA’s Director for Football Europe is home to some of the pandemic, Euro 2020 would have been Social Responsibility, told EURACTIV leading sports stadiums in the world the most environmentally conscious what they’re doing to reduce football’s in terms of environmental impact and Euro tournament yet, says Michele environmental footprint. UEFA, together with the European Uva. And Euro 2024 in Germany will football community, is committed to be “the most sustainable tournament The climate and environmental impacts being at the forefront of this. From ever,” he assures. of sports venues is an area that’s renewable energy to smart mobility getting increasing attention. What are and innovative recycling and waste This year’s unconventional Euro football stadiums and leagues doing to management systems, stadiums,

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Continued from Page 7 clubs, fans and communities are players and national associations, we support coherence and to help enable all engaged in ensuring optimal are seeing more and more members solutions and best practices to be sustainability. of the European football community scaled, with everyone doing what they becoming engaged in and taking can in their specific circumstances. The challenges and possibilities leadership on climate action and We also believe strongly in partnering for reducing environmental impact environmental protection. There are with international organisations and vary greatly from stadium to stadium, so many stadiums and clubs doing governments, in particular the EU’s from city to city and countries across great things – whether those at elite climate action agenda and UN SDGs. Europe. That’s why one of the key European level or at grassroots and things we can do at European level is community levels. That is why the UEFA President to make sure we learn from each other committed European football’s and exchange best practices. From an elite side, VfL Wolfsburg support to the European Green Deal from Germany’s Bundesliga are a and European Climate Pact last year In this context, UEFA and several great example of an environmentally when meeting European Commission of its member associations, along sustainable club – implementing President von der Leyen and Executive with leading stadiums and clubs – 100% green energy across the club, Vice President Timmermans. We are including Rome’s using bioplastic cups and ensuring also signed up to the UN Sport for which will host the opening game of zero landfill waste. At a community Climate Action Framework, which is a the EURO this summer – are excited to and grassroots level, Forest Green framework that an increasing number be a part of the LIFE TACKLE project. Rovers from have introduced of leading European football clubs are LIFE TACKLE is an international many sustainability measures, part of. project co-funded by the EU aiming including solar panels, electric car at improving the environmental charging points, water recycling, This edition of the euro football cup management of football matches an electric lawnmower, an organic is special, because it is the first which and the overall level of awareness pitch, and an entirely vegan menu for is not hosted by a single nation (or and attention towards environmental players and fans. group of two). At the same time, it is issues in the football sector. happening in the context of COVID-19, Communities and fans are really at where there will be limited audience Between 2018 and 2021, best the heart of what stadiums and clubs size and travelling. With both of those practices on environmental are doing and are being challenged differences in mind, will this year’s management are being collected and to do. We can highlight here another event have less of a climate impact tested in different stadiums across really interesting EU project that than normal years? Europe and information exchanged UEFA is involved in with three UEFA among national football associations national associations – GREENFOOT. UEFA EURO 2020 is a celebration to guide their implementation. As It’s an excellent example of innovative, of European football that will happen part of the project, strong contacts fan and community mobilisation- right across the continent. The nature with EURO 2020 host cities has been based action. The GREENFOOT project of the tournament means there are maintained to share with them the concept is to finance sport building many benefits over a traditional one. LIFE TACKLE results and help them energy efficiency renovations and In addition to being able to take the better manage waste during the renewable energy source installations matches to more diverse communities European Championship.” with crowdfunding schemes that across Europe, there is no need either propel Europeans to become active to build a host of new stadia or the What are some of the initiatives participants in the energy transition transport links that they require, stadiums and clubs are envisioning through their love of sports and their which carry a huge environmental for the future that could lessen the favourite teams. impact from, for instance, materials environmental impact of sporting and other resources used for the events? Overall, as the European development of such infrastructure. governing body, for UEFA, it is From fans, to clubs, leagues, important for us to show leadership, But it also has a cost, with increased

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Continued from Page 8 travel for fans to watch their teams consumption and circular economy, play. Whilst this is of course reduced where fans have a key role to play in due to the pandemic meaning less fans ensuring that they support recycling will travel, UEFA had in any case always and waste management (i.e. separate been committed to compensating collection of plastic) efforts in and for the carbon emissions for all staff, around the stadium. teams and supporters travelling to this event. Even with its unique pan- There are many more ways and European nature and even without fans themselves are often leading calls the reductions in fan travel due to the for new approaches like for example pandemic, EURO 2020 would always vegetarian menu options. have been the most environmentally conscious EURO tournament yet. Above all, to have an impact and successful initiatives, it’s about working And we are not stopping here – for together and good communication EURO 2024 in Germany we are working between all stakeholders from event with the German Football Association organisers, stadiums, suppliers, to local to make the 2024 tournament the councils and authorities, clubs, fans most sustainable tournament ever. It and even sponsors. We all have a role is our shared objective to make UEFA to play and responsibility, and together EURO 2024 a new flagship project in we can really make a difference. terms of event social responsibility, as well as a source of inspiration for the integration of sustainability into the core of football and other sports.

UEFA is fully committed to ensuring that the European Championship is always a driving force for sustainable development in both environmental and social sustainability terms, just like Europe itself aspires to be.

What can fans do to help lower their environmental impact when they travel to stadiums for tournaments ?

There are two main areas where fans can – and already do – play a key role in helping to reduce their environmental impact when they come to games. The first relates to smart mobility – wherever possible fans should choose ground transport over air travel and use public transport to reach the venue or walk or cycle.

The second is around sustainable 10 SPECIAL REPORT | EURO 2021 FOOTBALL CUP: THE GREEN ISSUE | EURACTIV

Wembley Arena: an old stadium with a new, green vision

By Dave Keating | EURACTIV.com

Interior view of the prior to the English FA Cup semi final soccer match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City in London, Britain, 23 April 2017 (re- issued on 17 March 2020). [EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA]

embley is one of the older isn’t as energy efficient as newer considered most significant for events arenas hosting Euro 2020 stadiums. Nevertheless, the arena at Wembley Stadium – energy and Wmatches. Can a legacy has made big strides in improving its climate action, waste, plastic use, venue reduce its environmental environmental performance. In 2019 it water, food and transport,” Smith impact as well as a newer one? was awarded the ISO 20121 certificate, says. “To name a few of our many the highest international standard achievements in these areas over When it comes to legacy stadiums, of sustainability in events, and was the years, we’ve been zero waste to it doesn’t get more storied than recertified in 2020. landfill since 2010, we’ve installed London’s Wembley Arena. Opened as water fountains across the stadium, the Empire Pool in 1934 for the British This in large part recognised increased vegetarian and vegan meal Empire Games, 90 years later it is the work done by the English options, installed EV charging points perhaps the UK’s most famous venue Football Association, which runs the outside the stadium, and switched to for sports and concerts. In the late 70s stadium. The FA developed an Event reusable cups for beer delivery.” it was granted protected status and Sustainability Management System, renamed Wembley, the area of London headed by Sarah Smith, in 2018. As for the energy impacts, Smith where it’s located. says it depends on the type of event. The sustainability team “They vary in duration and often have The down side of that legendary “continually works to improve very different requirements for pre status, of course, is that the building the environmental impact areas and post event set up, meaning some

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Continued from Page 10 will use less energy than others,” an club based in from a massive event like that. But she tells EURACTIV. “However, this Nailsworth, England. one of the biggest impacts is not the also gives us a huge opportunity actual energy use of the tournament – in 2019 we switched to 100% The Rovers, who compete in the itself, it’s influencing the millions of renewable electricity and upgraded fourth tier of English football, have people that are going to be watching. the floodlights to LED, reducing transformed into a green football club You have so many eyes watching, and energy consumption by around 40%. under the management of Dale Vince. if they have an opportunity to change We continue to roll out LED lighting It became the world’s first vegan so many people’s habits.” across the building and identify and football club in 2015, and a new lawn implement energy saving initiatives.” was installed with a number of eco- FUTURE PLANS friendly innovations. This year, Wembley has been Smith says Wembley has a lot of chosen as one of the 11 hosting “They’ve recently designed a new plans for further efforts to go green, stadiums for the Euro 2020 football stadium that’s being built designed and one area is in communication with tournament which was delayed with sustainability in line,” says fans. “A key aspect of maintaining ISO to June this year as a result of the Charlie Rogers, a consultant with the 20121 and our management system is pandemic. That has put it in the environmental consultancy Small continual improvement,” she says. spotlight as people look at the climate World. “It’s made of sustainable implications of this year’s unusual materials like wood, and has “General awareness around the event – lower fan attendance because renewable energy sources built impact of football on climate change of COVID but more team travel into the site. They also use public has increased over the last few years – because the usual one or two host transport to travel to their matches, we know that football can negatively countries have been expanded to use only locally sourced food and put impact the environment and we eleven. out environmental messages to their also know that a poor environment fans.” can negatively impact the game. “Due to COVID-19 regulations, However, we also know that football at the moment the stadium will be Such measures are right now has the power to create lasting operating at a reduced capacity for not envisioned for a big stadium positive change and there are some the safety of everyone at the event,” like Wembley or a big international really exciting things happening says Smith. “As the majority of the tournament like Euro 2020. Rogers across venues in the UK and globally.” environmental impact of our events says some of the measures being comes from areas such as transport, taken by the Forest Green Rovers have One example, she says, is the rise food consumption, waste and energy, lessons for the higher leagues, and of sporting organisations like FA naturally, with less people travelling some don’t. committing to the UNFCCC Sports to and using the stadium, our impact for Climate Action Framework and across these areas will be reduced. “It’s so different being a team in positioning the sector on a path However, this doesn’t mean that a lower division in the UK compared towards a low carbon economy. we won’t continue to address our to an international team,” she says. environmental impact.” “That of course brings huge problems Euro 2020 may also provide to the carbon footprint. A lot of teams lessons on how reduced audience will be playing in their respective capacity affects energy use and EXAMPLES FROM countries regularly, and not flying general environmental impact. Of SMALLER, NEWER internationally all the time. Even if course, any stadium will naturally STADIUMS they can fly commercial instead of want to make sure all seats are filled mini jet.” once the pandemic is over. But if The unavoidable reality, however, some of the reduced environmental is that a big stadium hosting “There are huge challenges when impacts evident during this unusual international football has limits to you have an international fan base tournament could be replicated even what it can achieve. But there are and an international competition, at full capacity, it could provide some certainly lessons to be learned from because it’s extravagant,” she adds. interesting lessons for how to make some of the UK’s smaller clubs. On “You’re not going to be able to remove football greener. example are the Forest Green Rovers, all of the energy consumption issues 12 SPECIAL REPORT | EURO 2021 FOOTBALL CUP: THE GREEN ISSUE | EURACTIV : newer can mean greener

By Dave Keating | EURACTIV.com

Baku’s 225,000-square-metre Olympic Stadium, which will be one of the host sites for this year’s Euro 2020 football tournament, was built just six years ago, ahead of the . [Photographer RM / Shutterstock]

zerbaijan’s host site for the several large-scale sporting events 35,000 fans. Euro 2020 football cup was such as the 4th Islamic Games in 2017 Abuilt for an Olympic Games and the UEFA Europa League Final in “After the stagnation period of the that never was. Now it’s preparing for 2019. world events during the pandemic, the biggest event it’s hosted so far. this is a big happiness to see the But this year’s Euro 2020 will be spectators coming back to the venue to When it comes to energy the biggest event yet that the stadium support their favorite teams and watch consumption, a stadium’s age and has hosted. “Baku Olympic Stadium their favorite game – football not location can make a big difference. has never welcomed so many people from the TVs but from the tribunes,” during one event, where there is less says Garayev. “The main complexity Baku’s 225,000-square-metre than a week between the match days,” of Euro 2020 is to keep the balance Olympic Stadium, which will be one of says Javid Garayev, the director of the between COVID-19 measures and the the host sites for this year’s Euro 2020 stadium. “So, for sure this will affect real fan atmosphere which we aim to football tournament, was built just six the number of employees, cleaning create organising four matches at the years ago, ahead of the 2015 European and waste management operations at venue.” Games. Its name was meant to give the stadium.” a leg up in its bid to host the In terms of energy use, having 2020 summer Olympics, though the A massively bigger event might the stadium at 50% capacity won’t government is probably quite relieved ordinarily mean a massively bigger make that much difference, Garayev now that they eventually didn’t win climate impact. But this year will be says. “From the perspective of venue that bid. quite different because of the COVID- operations, we use the whole stadium’s 19 pandemic. The stadium will be at bowl, we are on fully operational mode Since then the stadium has hosted only 50% capacity, welcoming around and all climate and environmental

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Continued from Page 12 impact is actually regulated by the offices and working areas. And in the because the crowdfunding market venue not depending on how many future, we plan to apply more modern there is not well-developed and also people will attend the event,” he says. technologies to reduce the usage of they have a relatively low energy the energy.” price compared to Europe, so the “There can be less impact on behalf economics is a bit different,” he of the waste amount,” he adds, “but “Summarizing all mentioned says. “Energy efficiency is also less this reality will not change the overall above, the power usage often depends developed in Azerbaijan than in the potential waste amount, because all on the climate area where the stadium rest of Europe.” equipment of the stadium will be is located and also the technologies working at the maximum capacity applied for the operations of the “So we’re looking to put solar during the event period.” venue. We always try to do our best to panels on the roof of Dalga because minimise the usage of the energy of it’s very sunny there, and that will But Garayev says that as a newer the stadium, that is why there is most go a long way to developing the stadium in a warmer climate, BOS modern equipment at the stadium.” renewables market in Azerbaijan. normally has a lower climate impact It will also give local people the than other stadiums of a similar size. The stadium’s design included opportunity to participate.” a number of green elements. “Every single stadium is a power- Before construction started in Once Euro 2020 is over, the hungry beast and depending on new 2011, Boyukshor Lake next to it was stadium has plans for more energy services offered by different venues, cleaned. Approximately 6-hectares of efficiency improvements. Within two for example heated seating, turf greenery were put in the surroundings years, all lamps of the stadium will be heating and so on, the amount of of the stadium, which consists of converted to LED. energy consumption can change very almost a thousand trees. It also uses fast. For example, stadium lights use KNX and HVAC systems which both “During the construction a lot of energy, because when it comes can modify and control energy use in period we did our best to assure the to illuminating the pitch, we need to the building. construction company to be efficient, reach all the standards. Additionally but also to build a great building we have an advertising screens, media “The KNX system lets us save the as we have now. Because this is façade, kitchen and catering services usage of the energy at the stadium. very important for us and for the which need to heat up the food and If there is not any event or ongoing environment and community to keep keep the drinks cool, etc.” work in a specific area of the stadium, this efficiency. We have a big water the lights are turned off automatically storage which helps us to collect According to Garayev, all which our employees can monitor water and reuse it for the second this represents roughly 20% of this process as well. The same process time,” Garayev said. the stadium’s total energy use. is also available for the HVAC system Additionally, the broadcasters who operations.” “It’s not a secret that massive show the game live require powerful stadiums and arenas across the world satellite transmitters and this number Azerbaijan is working with the have the capability for a massive is about 11% of all energy usage, he the EU-funded Greenfoot program carbon footprint,” he concedes. says. to improve the climate impact of “However, those arenas and stadiums football sites across the country. Jed including BOS can also lead the way for However, Garayev says BOS Cohen, a senior expert and project implementing the environmentally officials are doing their best to leader at the Energy Institute who is friendly features and practices reduce these numbers, using modern working on the project, says they are helping to reduce carbon footprint technologies. “Thanks to the climate finding innovative ways to involve while also encouraging our visitors to conditions of our country, we don’t the public in these projects such as follow the similar practices.” require seats and pitch heating, crowd-funding, a model they’re using we can start the inside heating across Europe. and cooling process later on in the season which we can save energy on One of those sites is the 6,500-seat this. We also try to use LED lamps Dalga Arena built in 2011. “Azerbaijan which we have on our façade, in our is obviously an interesting case 14 SPECIAL REPORT | EURO 2021 FOOTBALL CUP: THE GREEN ISSUE | EURACTIV

Munich’s Allianz Arena: a paragon of climate neutrality?

By Nikolaus J. Kurmayer | EURACTIV.de

“FC Bayern has a vision: the climate-neutral Allianz Arena 2030,” said Andreas Jung, head of marketing at FC Bayern München AG and shareholder representative of the Allianz Arena. [anahtiris / Shutterstock]

he Euro 2020 football cup’s football) has made headlines by carbon offset scheme to compensate carbon footprint has come demanding that football clubs own up the event’s emissions with carbon Tunder green scrutiny because to their ecological responsibilities. reduction projects like tree-planting of the logistics required to move the initiatives. Organisers also committed teams around between the eleven German football events have a to cut waste generation and water use organising countries. Is the Munich history of laying claim to sustainability, by 20%. stadium part of the problem or part of starting with the 2006 world the solution? championships, which organisers But those initiatives were largely considered climate neutral thanks to dismissed by environmental groups. The Allianz Arena in Munich its ‘Green Goal’ initiative. “Offsetting projects simply don’t will host at least four games of the deliver what we need – a reduction Euro 2020. As climate protection “With the 2006 World Cup we in the carbon emissions entering the issues become ever more important have shown that major events can also atmosphere,” said Alia al Ghussain of to Europeans, fans are wondering be organised in an environmentally Greenpeace UK. whether football is doing its share in sound way,” said then German fighting climate change. environment minister Sigmar Gabriel. Greenpeace probably have a point. Football events have tended to be The German initiative Zukunft The flagship measure implemented rather generous in estimating their Profifußball (the future of professional back then was a 100,000-tonne own climate impacts. At the 2006

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Continued from Page 14 world cup in Germany, the Oko- fulfilling the requirements and serves hosted at the arena in normal times, institute estimated the added carbon as a management and controlling more than 30,000 spectators arrive emissions due to spectator and team tool. by car or bus, travelling upwards of travel at around 100,000 tonnes of 270km on average. The arena alone CO2 for the entire event. According to the public records offers upwards of 11,000 parking required by the EMAS scheme, the spots for cars and buses in massive For the 2016 UEFA Euro cup hosted arena’s renewable energy use jumped parking complexes. in France, UEFA estimated the CO2 from 26% in 2017-18 to 69% in 2018-19. emissions due to spectator and team In 2019, FC Bayern won the European On average, just under 50% of travel at around 517,000 tonnes. Reusable Award granted by the spectators reach the stadium by environmental NGO Environmental public transport, meaning further It is unclear whether spectator Action Germany (DUH) due to its gains there are possible. and team mobility emissions introduction of reusable plastic cups. increased five-fold in the 10-year GERMANY’S EURO period between the 2006 world cup “By using reusable cups, FC Bayern 2024 WILL BE ‘MOST in Germany and the 2016 Euro cup in München is therefore leading the SUSTAINABLE IN France. But the discrepancy in CO2 way, demonstrating that in football HISTORY’ emissions between the two events stadiums, environmental protection certainly shows that estimates can and entertainment can go hand in Looking forward, UEFA has signed vary widely. hand,” said DUH deputy executive up to the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality director Barbara Metz. goal. And with the Euro 2024 taking ‘CLIMATE-NEUTRAL place in Germany, the Allianz Arena ALLIANZ ARENA 2030’ The arena also supplements its will once again aim to make climate energy use with solar panels totaling neutrality a core part of its ambitions. Following the 2006 world cup, 750 kW peak capacity and constantly the Allianz Arena and its resident seeks to optimise its energy use for “As co-organisers of the 2024 team, Bayern Munich, are now again heating and cooling. UEFA European Championships, we coming under the spotlight. want to make the tournament the ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT most sustainable and climate friendly Judging by official declarations, in Euro history,” said Phillip Lahm, ecological sustainability has become There is still plenty of room for managing director of Euro 2024 a major consideration for FC Bayern. improvement though, starting with GmbH. “FC Bayern has a vision: the climate- water use. In 2018-2019, the arena neutral Allianz Arena 2030,” said used upwards of 60 million litres of Andreas Jung, head of marketing at FC water. With 2.26 million visitors that Bayern München AG and shareholder year, this means more than 2,600 representative of the Allianz Arena. litres of water was used for each visitor. “We have been dealing with environmental issues since 2002 Energy consumption is another already,” said Jürgen Muth, executive area where further gains can be officer of Allianz Arena, adding that made. The arena seats a whole 70,000 the stadium has a long history of people during international games working towards climate neutrality. and can boast almost 8,000 square meters of culinary space, all of which FC Bayern began implementing an requires vast amounts of energy for Eco-Management and Audit Scheme heating and cooling. (EMAS) in 2006, in a bid to reduce the stadium’s carbon footprint and cut And then of course, there is down costs. EMAS is open to anyone transport. For every game that is THE DUTCH BID FOR EMA

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