Can Women’s Euro 2025 Balance Growth, Sustainability And Climate Risk?

As UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 kicks off in Switzerland today, the spotlight is on more than just athletic excellence on the pitch. With temperatures in Basel forecast to reach 93°F, organisers are facing an early test in climate responsiveness, having already relaxed stadium policies to allow reusable water bottles during heat warnings on July 2 and 3.

This immediate weather disruption reflects a larger story, climate risk is now a central challenge for global sports tournaments. From Wimbledon recording their hottest ever opening day this week, to thunderstorm and lightning-driven challenges at the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., elite sports are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather, with serious implications for player safety, fan experience, broadcasting, and commercial value.

At the same time, women’s soccer is on a sharp growth trajectory. It could become a top five global sport by 2030, rivalling the likes of Formula 1 and tennis, a recent report projected. The associated commercial momentum brings opportunity, but also responsibility. As parity with men’s soccer is pursued, Women’s Euro 2025 serves as a litmus test for whether women’s mega tournaments can scale sustainably, without inheriting the same climate blind spots as their men’s tournament counterparts.

Wales defender and member of the country’s Euro 2025 squad, Hayley Ladd, told me recently, “there are still big differences between the landscapes of men’s and women’s football, so it’s hard to compare directly, but it does seem like women’s football audiences have a real appetite for supporting environmental sustainability.” Women’s Euro 2025 is one-quarter the size of the 2024 Men’s Euros when it comes to spectators, with the former selling 600,000 tickets so far of the 677,000 available, versus 2.7 million for the latter.

Scale isn’t the only metric of success. What is becoming just as critical in the current climate landscape, is how organisers, host cities, national associations, and sponsors are embedding environmental strategy into every layer of tournament delivery. This provides insight into how elite sports events are navigating the intersection of climate risk, sustainability, and commercial opportunity. So what are organisers and national soccer associations doing to take action on environmental sustainability, to help mitigate these issues on the ground, and how are players and teams responding?

What UEFA And Host Cities Are Doing On Sustainability for Euro 2025

“Football is also more than about goals. We are committed to integrating ESG factors as a key contributing factor to the tournament’s success,” shared UEFA’s social and environmental sustainability director, Michele Uva at the release of their environmental, social and governance strategy in October 2024.

The Cost Of Extreme Weather Delays At FIFA Club World Cup

When FIFA Club World Cup kicked off across the U.S. this June, extreme heat concerns were top of mind. These concerns turned out to be well-founded, but it has been unpredictable skies, thunder, lightning and torrential rain that have led to six matches so far experiencing long delays ranging from 46 minutes to nearly two hours.

These frequent stoppages are a highly-visible sign of how climate change-driven weather extremes are reshaping the landscape of global sport, could have economic ramifications for the tournament and raised concerns about preparations for next year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup in the U.S.

Club World Cup Matches Impacted By Delays

The first match of the tournament to be impacted by extreme weather was Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns, whose June 17 match in Orlando, Florida, was delayed for more than an hour due to the threat of lightning. On the same day in Nashville, Tennesse, Boca Juniors and Auckland City had their game paused for around 50 minutes due to FIFA lightning storm protocol being activated.

Next was Pachuca vs. Red Bull Salzburg in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 18. A one hour and 37 minute delay was caused by heavy rainfall and lightning. Palmeiras and Al Ahly had their match suspended for 46 minutes in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 19, due to lightning strikes. Temperatures reached 88F, and a cooling break was given to players midway through the first half also.

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Climate And Heat Concerns Overshadow FIFA’s Expanded Club World Cup

Climate, environment and heat concerns loom large ahead of the first 32 team FIFA Club World Cup that kicks off this weekend, taking place from June 15 to July 13 across 12 major U.S. cities.

Fans and players face mounting risks as climate change drives higher temperatures. FIFA has come under fire from critics for the environmental footprint of its expanded tournament format and fossil fuel sponsorship deals.

Heat Concerns For Club World Cup

With many tournament matches being scheduled to take place during the hottest parts of the day, heat exposure risks are raising alarms. Of particular concern are games in open-air stadiums that lack climate-controlled roofing, including Camping World Stadium in Orlando, the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, and Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

These concerns are well founded, following heat stress incidents during the 2024 Copa América, which took place in the U.S. summer months. Players, referees, and supporters were affected, with assistant referee Humberto Panjoj fainting from heat exhaustion during one game.

“With tournaments like the Club World Cup featuring dense match schedules and hot climates in locations such as Orlando and Miami, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important health and safety issue in professional football,” a spokesperson from international players’ union FIFPRO told The Guardian. They plan to “closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks with a view to prioritising player welfare over other considerations.”

Concerns align with research on the extreme heat risk and potential implications for 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduling. Club World Cup being widely viewed as a precursor to the 2026 tournament. “Teams at the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup will face heat stress beyond recognised thresholds, especially during afternoon kick-offs,” says Dr Oliver Gibson, co-author of the research, who specialises in heat stress and performance physiology at Brunel University.

Chief operations officer for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, Heimo Schirigi, recently called the upcoming 2025 tournament “a gift,” from an operational perspective. “Everyone is eager to come back after the Club World Cup and say ‘OK, this is what we learned. This is what we need to change. This is what we can keep.’”

Given the global nature of the events and broadcast imperatives to enable as many people globally to watch games live, kick off times may not change, even in light of extreme heat risks to players and fans.

“Organisers need to consider bringing in effective heat management strategies to reduce the negative impact of heat stress on players’ health and performance. They should also consider scheduling fixtures outside the times of day where heat stress is greatest and introduce cooling breaks during fixtures played in temperature extremes,” Gibson shared. Advice for fans on how to stay cool is being publicised by local media in cities hosting upcoming matches.

Environmental Impact of Expanded Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup has previously taken place annually, and featured seven teams. The champions of the six continental confederations within FIFA, plus the host nation’s league winner.

Now featuring 32 teams and taking place every four years, this expanded format has environmental ramifications, from the delivery of more games to carbon footprints from increased player and fan travel. FIFA plans to present a proposal to increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 starting in 2029, according to The Guardian.

The FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, will feature 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 teams in 2022. Recently an official proposal to expand the men’s 2030 World Cup to 64 teams was put forward by Conmebol, the South American governing body.

Inclusion, development and solidarity are the cited reasons for expansion according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, the environmental impacts of ever-growing soccer tournaments in an increasingly hostile climate cannot be ignored. Global climate predictions show temperatures are expected to continue at or near record levels in the next five years according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization. This will increase climate risks and impacts on societies and economies.

Who Wants The Expanded Format Club World Cup?

Fans aren’t clamouring for tickets for the FIFA Club World Cup, if reported price reduction of thousands of tickets are anything to go by. Infantino has attributed this to dynamic pricing. Stadium sections have also been closed and tickets reallocated.

However, fans from over 130 countries have booked their places, which FIFA says is “a clear sign of global anticipation and reach,” in a statement to Associated Press. On FIFA’s climate awareness website page, it shares ways fans can make a difference, saying “you can fly less often, take public transport and cycle more.”

In October 2024, FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues, who represent European player unions and national leagues and LaLiga, filed a complaint to the European Commission against FIFA over its imposition of the international match calendar, including decisions relating to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Premier League CEO, Richard Masters said at the time, “it is getting to a tipping point. The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion.”

English professional soccer player David Wheeler agrees. “The negative effect on players themselves includes higher rates of injuries and mental health issues. It’s just unsustainable.” He understands how this might sound. “Don’t get me wrong, football players are very fortunate, but they have family and friends they want to see in the off-season, and for some the schedule doesn’t allow that.”

Reacting to the fact Barcelona F.C. is not in the FIFA Club World Cup, Frenkie de Jong, soccer player for Barcelona and Netherlands national team also shared, “I’m very happy with that. Maybe it is less for the club, financially. For us it is great. Nobody wants that, the audience isn’t looking forward to it either, hardly any tickets are sold. It’s annoying for those boys: if you get far in the tournament, you don’t have a holiday.”

Inclusion Goals or “Brazen Greed”?

“FIFA must look at its own emissions. Expanded World Cups and Club World Cups, with more teams and more air travel, are steps in the wrong direction,” Wheeler wrote recently, as he brought together a group of 30 soccer players to ask FIFA, football associations and clubs to stop inking sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies.

Wheeler shared this effort stands on the shoulders of a 2023 open letter signed by over 130 female soccer players, urging FIFA to reconsider its sponsorship deal with Saudi oil company Aramco.

Speaking at a conference in London this week, he expanded on this calling FIFA’s sponsorship and expanded competitions “brazen greed.” He followed this up saying, “fans, players and people who work within football need to ask for change. FIFA will keep being greedy and wanting more power. Who is it in service of? Not anyone but themselves.”

What Is FIFA And Club World Cup Doing On Environmental Sustainability?

FIFA has committed to reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 as part of UNFCCC Sports For Climate Action, this includes guidance to listen to fans and put them at the heart of climate action.

For Club World Cup specifically the organisation is implementing “concrete initiatives” in three areas. Operational responsibility, by minimising waste, promoting recycling and food donations and managing resources efficiently at venues. Sustainable sourcing, by carrying out due diligence on supply chains to meet the sustainability and human rights standards outlined in the FIFA sustainable sourcing code, and protecting wildlife by taking measures to safeguard and manage stray animals around stadiums.

They are running a climate awareness campaign with fans. Registered ticket holders can pledge towards reducing their carbon footprint and then be in with a chance of winning one of the 50 FIFA Store vouchers in a prize draw. On its climate awareness page, it states, “the Earth’s climate is changing due to human activity, causing a variety of sudden and gradual changes to the weather and the environment. Football is not immune to these significant changes. We all need to reduce the emissions that enter the atmosphere.”

As the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off amid heat concerns and scrutiny of climate action, it encapsulates a growing tension in global sport. Continued growth versus the need for environmental responsibility. With more matches, more travel, and more exposure to climate risks, this tournament isn’t just a test event for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, it’s a test of FIFA’s willingness to reckon with the climate consequences of its own ambitions.

Why Climate Risk Is A Threat To The Sports Investment Boom

As sport transforms into a dynamic and lucrative asset class, the environmental crisis is accelerating. Savvy sports investors are increasingly factoring in growing climate risks, recognizing their potential to disrupt operations and erode returns.

The global appeal of sport, lucrative media rights, and the potential for substantial returns is attracting private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, celebrities and athletes. No longer just “trophy assets,” men’s and women’s sports now present viable investment opportunities.

Even with economic headwinds, investors are bullish on sports. Mark Cuban, Rashaun Williams, and Steve Cannon have launched a sports-focused private equity fund, looking to raise $750 million to target minority investments in NBA, MLB, and NFL teams. Rory McIlroy has teamed up with TPG to launch a sports investment fund, and Standard Chartered have launched a fund focused on sports for high net worth clients. These are just announcements from the past several weeks.

Climate Risks For Sports Investment

Financial prospects are enticing, but the escalating climate crisis creates risk for sport investments. By 2050, corporate exposure to climate risks is expected to triple, putting more than $1.14 trillion in market value at risk for companies on the world’s largest stock exchanges.

This includes sports organizations, which are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on physical infrastructure and scheduled events. Investors in sport need to “consider how exposed their investment portfolios are to physical climate risks,” confirms Daniel Keir, climate resilience specialist at Zurich Resilience Solutions. Hazards differ according to geography, but include flooding, wildfires, extreme heat, storm surges, and other severe weather events. NFL stadiums could face an estimated $11 billion in climate-related losses by 2050.

As well as physical threats to infrastructure, such as extreme weather causing roofs to come off stadiums, or golf courses disappearing due to coastal erosion, sports face additional financial risks stemming from the climate crisis. Organisers may face rising insurance premiums and revenue disruption from ticketing, sponsorship or broadcast if events are cancelled or altered. If values aren’t aligned, revenue can be missed from potential sponsors with a strong sustainability ethos, and conversely, partnering with unethical or polluting organisations can cause reputational risks.

It’s worth noting that direct climate impacts on a stadium can have broader investment ramifications too. “Stadiums often act as economic anchors and catalysts for broader urban development,” Austin Clack, Climate X’s physical risk solutions lead for North America told me. “Climate risks that endanger these assets can reduce investor confidence and stall development plans in the surrounding area, leading to stranded project investment and overall lowered investment inflow into communities.”

Investor Perspectives on ESG and Climate Risk For Sport

Despite growing awareness and risk, these considerations are not yet central to all investment decisions in the sports sector. “If the internal rate of return doesn’t stack up, ESG won’t save the deal and if the IRR is strong but there are climate risks, the investment can still go ahead,” Michael Broughton, founder of Sports Investment Partners LLP told me.

Climate risks may currently only filter as a priority for investors when they create the potential for a tangible impact on forecasted cash flow, but they are a consideration. The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment encourage investors to always incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.

Climate risks are likely to be a larger consideration for investment in smaller sports clubs, where a more direct line can be drawn between issues such as flooding and core revenue drivers such as match-day viability and income.

It’s not only financial risk, which naturally sits at the heart of investments, that needs to be considered. Reputational risk carries greater weight in sports due to heightened media attention and public scrutiny. This includes “changing consumer preferences regarding transparency and ethical behaviour,” says Philip Cronje, business unit manager of Aon South Africa’s sports, recreation and entertainment division.

Beyond mitigating risk, climate action presents a commercial upside for investors. There is a lot of opportunity for fan and sponsor engagement on this topic. Broughton believes “the fan comes first,” and that a better understanding of fans leads to better business outcomes. With sports fans increasingly engaging on climate issues, climate-positive initiatives can enhance the appeal of a sports organisation seeking investment. Sustainability is a strong selling point as part of a pitch. It enhances the story even if it’s not the core proposition.

Overlook Climate Risk For Sports Investment At Your Peril

The integration of climate risk and ESG considerations into sports investments is evolving rapidly. As the financial implications of climate change become increasingly apparent, investors are likely to place greater emphasis on sustainability, and look more intently at risk. Although climate risk or sustainability may not yet be deal breakers in many sports investments, investors should consistently engage on these issues when considering any opportunity in the sector.

Aligning investment strategies with this engagement will not just safeguard and future-proof assets, but also unlock upsides through fan trust and sponsorship appeal. In the melting pot of an evolving sports investment landscape and accelerating climate crisis, prioritizing climate risk and sustainability isn’t just a tick-box exercise. It is a strategic imperative that is fundamental for success. Austin Clack sums it up well, saying “investors should recognize that climate risk is not a distant concern but an imminent financial reality that must be factored into investment strategies immediately.”

Being Nature Positive Is Smart Business. How SMEs Can Take Action Now

With over half of our global gross domestic profit dependent on nature, small and medium sized enterprises that have nature positive business plans are better positioned for resilience, investment, and long-term growth.

400 million SMEs account for around 90% of all companies globally, generating 70% of employment, and contributing up to 70% of global GDP. Just over half of global GDP, 58 trillion dollars, is moderately or highly dependent on nature. Nature isn’t just a distant ocean or remote rainforest, it is the cotton in our clothes, the lithium in our batteries, the water cooling our data centres and the land where our offices stand.

For SMEs working toward being nature positive, success depends on having a clear purpose, setting measurable goals, and staying flexible as strategies evolve. This starts with understanding how your operations, supply chains and investments affect nature, then taking action to reduce harm and support restoration.

What Being Nature Positive Means For Businesses

A nature positive business “not only minimizes its negative impact on nature but actively contributes to the restoration and enhancement of ecosystems and biodiversity,” according to Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Globally there is a goal is to put nature visibly on the path to recovery by 2030.

Successfully developing and implementing a nature positive business strategy isn’t a one size fits all approach. It is also “not a checklist, nor a one and done approach,” Liza Murphy, senior sustainability advisor tells me. Murphy was formerly global head of conservation assurance at IUCN, managing director at FSC Global Development and vice president at JP Morgan. “The challenges we collectively face are complex, so it is not surprising the best responses to those challenges are also complex.”

Benefits Of A Nature Positive Approach

There are economic benefits to taking action. 395 million jobs could be created by 2030 through a nature positive economy that transforms food, infrastructure, and energy systems. It could also “provide both an effective way to tackle the climate crisis and an annual business value of over $10 trillion,” says Roberto Marques, CEO of Natura Group.

For individual businesses, the benefits are wide-ranging, from cost savings and operational efficiency to resilience and risk reduction. Companies with nature positive strategies are better prepared for supply chain disruptions and climate-related shocks. It helps stakeholder trust and reputational value too, as investors, customers and employees increasingly favour businesses with authentic environmental commitments. Recent research shows rural SMEs, those based outside city limits, may be more susceptible to financial risk posed by climate hazards.

It is also crucial that businesses account for the resources they take from nature. “Today businesses treat nature as if it is free and unlimited. It is time for boards, under their director’s duties, to dismiss current fake financial profits that take nature for granted,” Earth on Board founder, Philippe Joubert told me. “If a company is not accounting for nature, the dividends and bonuses it distributes are based on counterfeit profits that do not really exist. Instead, businesses should pay for services rendered and repair the damage caused.”

How To Take Action On Being Nature Positive

SMEs that aren’t involved in natural resource extraction may assume that taking action to protect biodiversity isn’t a priority for their business. However, “the first step is recognition that we each, individuals and organizations, have a direct line to nature,” says Liza Murphy.

The “ACT-D” framework, stands for assess, commit, transform and disclose. From assessing dependencies and impacts on nature to understanding where natural resources are used in operations and supply chain, doing an initial audit is where to start. From here, organisations can commit to science-based targets and timelines for reducing nature-related harm through global frameworks such as the Science Based Targets Network or the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. Industry-specific frameworks are becoming available too.

Work then must begin to shift from an extractive business model to a regenerative one. This could include transforming operational practices, redesigning supply chains and reducing physical footprint. Transparent disclosure of performance is key for credibility, stakeholder trust, and industry benchmarking.

Additional ways to take action include financially investing in nature restoration, and fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation by engaging and empowering employees to be part of the transition. US-retailer Patagonia and UK-based personal care company Faith In Nature have gone further by giving nature a stake or role in their organisations.

Some of this may feel overwhelming to a smaller business, but proportionality is key. “Prioritise what is most critical for your business. If you have limited resources and your company has more impact on water than on climate change more generally, focus on water, rather than trying to do it all,” shares Akanksha Khatri, Head of Nature Action Agenda at World Economic Forum. Liza Murphy agrees, saying “the scale of nature-led action from an SME should be in line with its size and reach. Expectations are not the same as for large corporates.”

Pitfalls to Avoid On The Nature Positive Journey

In a world of short attention spans and snappy headlines, it’s tempting to make claims about your plans and work, but credibility is critical. Claims without rigorous evidence, or relying on offsetting alone, can backfire, undermining trust and leading to accusations of greenwashing. “Credibility is so important, so storytelling with facts and figures is key,” Liza Murphy shares. “While we cannot legislate perfection, and surely don’t want to try, we should be describing what we are doing, why we made certain choices and challenges have we encountered and what is changing as a result of those outcomes.”

That credibility comes from “how accurate and verifiable your claims are,” Murphy confirms. “We need to apply the same kind of rigor we put into things like child safety in child seats, vaccine safety, educational standards. Ask your suppliers to explain how they make choices about what they sell you.” Leaning on suppliers for help is a great way for SMEs to not just reduce their own impact but create a ripple effect. “Ask your suppliers (if you have them) how they are tackling issues like water, waste, pollution, and deforestation,” confirms Akanksha Khatri. “The more that suppliers hear their customers are interested in these issues, the more likely they are to take action themselves.”

Whilst beneficial, being truly nature positive goes beyond actions such as planting trees or switching to vegetarian menus. It demands systemic change, a shift in the way decisions are made, rethinking value chains, transforming operations, and engaging in collective action across industries and regions.

Nature is a way to open conversations about climate and sustainability too. “In choosing to talk about nature, brands won’t retreat from difficult conversations. Instead you’ll step into the most timeless and universal one of all: humanities natural connection to nature,” says Forbes contributor, Solitaire Townsend.

Legislation such as the EU’s new Nature Restoration Law, the growing momentum around disclosure frameworks, and increasing investor expectations all signal that the nature positive transition is central to future-fit SMEs and businesses. As Liza Murphy reminds us, “we each… have a direct line to nature,” and with that comes both responsibility and opportunity. Philippe Joubert challenges boards to stop “distributing counterfeit dividends” and acting as if resources and free and unlimited. For SMEs, that means embedding nature into strategy, embracing transparency, and committing to continuous improvement.

4 Ways Fans Can Go Green For UEFA Women’s EURO 2025

There are just 50 days until the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 soccer tournament kicks off in Switzerland. Whether you are one of the 550,000 people who have bought tickets to attend a match or are hosting a watch party at home, there are easy ways to reduce your environmental footprint, from how you travel, to what you eat and reducing waste.

This year’s tournament is expected to break records for attendance and viewership, riding the momentum of women’s sports’ rapid global growth. Larger numbers mean a bigger environmental footprint, and organisers will publish data on this 100 days after the final match.

UEFA have highlighted environmental sustainability as a key factor to the tournament’s success. Many players agree, as we have seen them take accountability for their carbon footprint to tournaments, push back on heavy-carbon sponsors and research the impacts of climate change on the women’s game. Alongside organisers and athletes, fans also have the opportunity to step up to help ensure that the beautiful game doesn’t come at the planet’s expense.

1. Travel Smart with Free Public Transport

Fan travel is frequently cited as the largest environmental impact from a soccer match, so working to reduce these emissions is vital. On Women’s EURO 2025 match days, tournament tickets will be valid for free second-class public-transport travel between any Swiss locality and the venue.

The organiser’s goal is to sell all 673,000 available tickets and surpass the average match attendance of Women’s EURO 2022. So far, 550,000 match tickets have been sold, to people from over 100 countries, with tournament organisers expecting around two-thirds of attendees to be Swiss. Matches are taking place in eight venues across Switzerland, from St Gallen to Geneva, leading to a lot of carbon emitted from international and national travel.

Spectators heading to matches can take advantage of the inclusion of public transport in their ticket and avoid the stress of driving and parking, save money and get into the festival atmosphere with other travelling fans. Accommodation impacts the size of travel carbon footprint, so fans can look out for green credentials or certifications when booking their hotel to reduce this too.

Tip: Plan your route in advance to see which trains, trams, and buses you need to reach the stadium or fan zone.

2. Reduce Waste, Recycle And Go Vegetarian Or Vegan

Tournament organisers are prioritising the “4Rs” of reduce, reuse, recycle and recover when it comes to products and packaging at all games. It is up to the stadiums to ensure they reduce waste and recover materials and leftover food, but fans can help by properly disposing of waste at venues as part of recycling efforts. Many stadiums will be equipped with clearly marked recycling stations and sustainability reminders.

Availability of vegan and vegetarian food options and products are part of UEFA’s sustainability strategy for Women’s EURO 2025, so look out for delicious food options that will slash your carbon footprint at concessions during games.

Tip: Go for veggie food options, choose reusable cups and follow recycling rules at matches

3. Connect With Other Fans On Sustainability

The first dedicated “Fan Forum” for supporter representatives from all 16 participating nations was hosted recently, to help supporters’ groups plan ahead. Topics included fan walks to stadiums, learning about fan zones and sustainability issues.

“Having pre-tournament dialogue with the fans is essential for us, as this tournament is a celebration with and for the fans in a welcoming environment,” said Doris Keller, UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament director during the event. 24 green volunteers will also be deployed at tournament venues to assist fans.

Tip: Contact your local supporter group to find out more about planned fan walks or to learn about sustainability efforts

4. Stay At Home And Host A Watch Party

Global broadcast coverage, and streaming on UEFA.tv are expected to deliver record media reach for Women’s EURO 2025. Fans can watch for free, as part of the expected globally audience of 500 million viewers, in the comfort of their own home, and host a watch party with friends and family.

To make your watch party sustainable, avoid single use or plastic decorations that you will throw away after the tournament and ask friends to wear soccer shirts that they already own. From vegan tacos, loaded potato skins and plant-based pizzas, making lower-carbon delicious party-style food has never been easier. Remember to have some freezer space at the ready to save any leftovers and reduce food waste.

Tip: Get into the spirit of the tournament by asking friends to bring a plant-based food option from the countries competing in the match you’re watching

Fans have a unique opportunity to champion sustainability alongside their team at this year’s UEFA Women’s EURO. Whether attending matches or hosting watch parties at home, supporters can make eco-friendly choices that align with the tournament’s sustainability objectives. By embracing sustainable travel options, reducing waste, and engaging in community initiatives, fans can contribute to a tournament legacy that celebrates both the spirit of football and the health of our planet.

4 Ways Technology Is Powering Sustainability At 2025 London Marathon

As over 56,000 runners lace up for the 2025 TCS London Marathon, many will have relied on technology through their training journey. A booming wearables market is forecast to be worth $171 billion by 2032, and GPS watches, mobile apps and AI-powered platforms collect data that enables runners to optimise performance.

Organisers of the London Marathon are also relying on innovative technology, not just to deliver a seamless event but to reduce its environmental impact. From smarter, waste-reducing logistics, turning runners’ urine into fertiliser and carbon removal investments, organisers are leveraging tech for impact.

In a world where sports tourism is booming, and its carbon footprint rising, London Marathon’s sustainability initiatives offer insights of how large events can balance performance with responsibility.

1. Circular Technology Creates Fertiliser From Urine

A start-up that recovers nutrients from human urine to create bio-based fertiliser will be putting the pre-race toilet stop to good use this year. Around 1,000 litres of urine will be collected and made into fertiliser, to be used in tests to assess its performance on wheat growth. In a conversion process similar to treating waste water, bacteria will be added to create ammonium nitrate, that plants need to grow.

Hannah Van Den Bergh, founder of NPK Recovery, the organisation responsible for the novel manufacturing technology, shared, “Urine doesn’t have to be a waste product and we’re excited to be playing a small part in helping support the sustainability commitments of the iconic TCS London Marathon.”

The urine is collected in innovative gender equalising women’s urinals, that are three times quicker to use than regular portable toilets. Amber Probyn, co-founder of PEEQUAL, said, “We love coming to the TCS London Marathon because we firmly believe that women shouldn’t have to choose between starting their race on-time or waiting to go to the loo.”

Kate Chapman, head of sustainability for London Marathon Events commented, “part of our environmental strategy is to try and find an ‘onward use’ for all waste that is generated at our events, for instance composting, reusing, upcycling and much more besides.”

2. App Measures and Reports Impact

A cloud-based app for responsible event planning enables London Marathon Events to track, measure, and report the marathon’s environmental and social impacts in real time. It helps organisers audit carbon savings, identify areas for improvement, and transparently communicate their progress toward net zero by 2030.

Transparent and verifiable impact reporting helped LME recently become the first sports organisation to achieve “evergreen” status from the Council for Responsible Sport, recognising its leadership in creating positive social and environmental change.

Michelle Sandquist, certification director shared, “London Marathon Events has set a new global benchmark for what it means to lead with purpose. Their work exemplifies what’s possible when innovation, accountability, and community are at the core of event planning.”

3. Carbon Removal To Tackle Travel Emissions

Over 56,000 people will travel from all over the world to take part in the 2025 TCS London Marathon, which creates a lot of carbon emissions. To compensate, organisers charge international participants a £26 ($34) climate levy at registration, that is used for carbon removal. Technology-based solutions such as direct air capture, biochar, and enhanced weathering are among the verified carbon removal methods supported.

“This initiative is valuable because it not only reduces emissions but also raises awareness,” chief financial officer of LME, Jeanette Wong explained recently. “Encouraging people to think about their travel choices is an important step in shifting behaviour.”

In LME’s most recent published sustainability report from 2023, scope 3 green house gas emissions, which are those caused by participant travel, supply chain activity and the lifecycle of products purchased, accounted for over 99% of the marathon’s carbon footprint.

4. Event Management Software Cuts Waste

Waste creation is a huge contributor to the environmental footprint of sports events. To tackle this, the London Marathon uses smart registration technology that asks runners key questions to help reduce waste. Participants are asked if they would like to receive a finisher’s medal, allowing organisers to produce only what is needed and cut down on excess manufacturing and shipping emissions. Runners are also given the option to plant a tree instead of receiving a finisher’s t-shirt, helping to reduce the environmental impact of textile production while supporting reforestation efforts.

For those who opt out of receiving a medal, some are available to loan at the finish line, to take photos and capture the moment. Medals are made from recycled zinc alloy, and ordered in bulk to reduce travel emissions, leftover medals and ribbons are recycled within the U.K.

Smart logistics is at the heart of new baggage-free assembly area. Team Green runners who either avoid bringing a kit bag or drop it off the day before the race help reduce the need for baggage trucks. This cuts fuel emissions and improves logistics efficiency on marathon day.

The TCS London Marathon’s 2025 sustainability efforts shows that bold ideas and technology can help the world’s biggest races tread more lightly. From converting waste into resources to removing carbon from the atmosphere, every initiative reflects a deeper shift in mindset, one that prioritises innovation, accountability, and long-term impact. As global sports tourism continues to grow, the London Marathon sets a powerful example, the future of major events lies not just in performance and spectacle, but in how responsibly they are delivered.

3 Ways Sport Is Supporting “Our Power, Our Planet” This Earth Day

“Our Power, Our Planet” is the rallying cry for Earth Day 2025, calling for a bold global effort to triple renewable electricity generation by 2030. The world of sport is emerging as a powerful ally in this transition.

Despite challenging political headwinds in U.S. around clean energy investments, renewable energy sources like solar and wind are expected to grow at record rates globally through 2025. Sports organisations across the globe are harnessing their influence, infrastructure, and fan engagement to advance clean energy goals. From stadiums powered by solar energy, to partnerships with renewable energy companies, the sector is proving that athletic ambition can go hand-in-hand with climate action.

1. Leading The Charge With Onsite Renewable Energy Generation

Amsterdam’s Johan Cruijff ArenA has long been a sustainability pioneer. Its roof has 4,200 solar panels, and a wind turbine 35km away supplies green energy to the stadium. Storing renewable energy in two large batteries, which have a capacity of 8.6 mega watt hours, enables the stadium to run some matches entirely on green energy.

“More than a stadium we are trying to be a frontrunner in sustainability and we do that in connection with our stakeholders, business partners and also our industry partners,” shared director, innovation and advisory, Sander Van Stiphout. “After all, to shape our tomorrow, today we have to give import on sustainability because I believe that stadiums are like the living rooms of the society and create value to the society.”

In the U.K., Manchester City Football Club is rolling out a large-scale solar installation across its academy training complex and Joie Stadium. In November 2024, 2,800 of the 10,000 solar panel array had already been installed. “By transitioning to self-supplied renewable energy, we will guarantee a consistent flow of clean power that offsets the energy required to run the stadium and significantly reduce its environmental impact,” said the club’s director of sustainability, Pete Bradshaw.

In the U.S., 32% of NFL stadiums are powered by onsite solar arrays. It is an NBA team that has the largest solar installation however. The NBA’s Sacramento Kings stadium, Golden 1 Center, uses a mix of both onsite and offsite installations and represents 58% of the capacity installed at NBA arenas.

2. Sponsors Help Reduce Impact And Raise Awareness

Several major sports stadiums worldwide are now sponsored by renewable energy companies, signalling a growing commitment to sustainability in sport.

Italy’s Bluenergy Stadium, home to Udinese Calcio, began a strategic partnership with Bluenergy Group in early 2024 to install solar panels on the roof of the stadium. “Our goal is to become the first carbon free stadium in Italy within three to five years,” said Magda Pozzo, Udinese’s chief commercial officer in an interview with Forbes.

In April 2025 the ‘Energia in Campo’ project was launched, a system that features 2,409 solar panels on the stadium’s roof, able to generate around 1.1 million kilowatt hours annually.

Premier League football team Arsenal partner with Octopus Energy to run their stadium on 100% renewable electricity, with over 103 games being powered in this way. 2.32 million kg of CO₂ emissions per year are reportedly saved through this partnership, the equivalent of 844 double-decker buses. Arsenal’s 3MW mega battery allows Arsenal to avoid the grid during peak times and store clean energy for match day use. Even fans benefit, with a special Arsenal green tariff offering 100% renewable power and prize draws.

3. Innovations In Sport Push Clean Energy Boundaries

Earlier this year the Formula E Championship launched Pit Boost, a new electric vehicle recharging technology that provides a 10% energy increase through a 30-second, 600kW boost in the pit lane. This technological step forward in EV charging, deploys much more power than current consumer superchargers. “It’s fast charging on a mega level,” NEOM McLaren chief engineer Albert Lau confirmed, “probably two times faster than anything available on the road at the moment.”

Formula E’s “race-to-road” technology platform looks to apply innovations directly to the development of EVs for the public. Manufacturers use Formula E to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology, ultimately improving the performance and efficiency of their road-going EVs, “What we learn on the racetrack through software enables us to transfer that information to our core engineering teams for our future vehicles,” commented James Barclay, team principal of Jaguar TCS Formula E racing team.

Teenager Gyeongyun Lily Min hopes “acoustic energy harvesting” could someday convert the loud sounds of sports arenas into electricity. After building a working model of a basketball stadium in her garage to test how sound vibrations could power piezoelectric devices, she designed different energy harvesters to focus sound onto these devices.

Her innovative project earned her a finalist spot at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Mechanical engineer at the University of Michigan, Daniel Inman, sees promise in the concept but notes that piezoelectric harvesting still faces efficiency and scalability challenges. Gyeongyun remains optimistic, saying, “By advancing the quality of piezoelectric devices and optimizing their deployment, we can unlock a new avenue for sustainable energy production.”

The Power of Sport To Drive Renewable Energy Uptake

Earth Day 2025’s goal to unite people around tripling renewable electricity by 2030 highlights the need for global collaboration and mobilization of communities. Sport has a unique role to play, both operationally and through its cultural influence. With its infrastructure and fan reach, the sporting world is perfectly positioned to accelerate awareness, innovation, and real-world impact.

From powering stadiums sustainably through renewable energy, inspiring fans through visible green action, and innovating, sport can be a driving force in meeting Earth Day’s mission for a cleaner, more resilient future.

How Green Are 2025 NCAA Men’s And Women’s Final Four?

The 2025 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four has just wrapped and now we wait to see who will be crowned champions. As the season concludes, we know that conference realignment has increased environmental impact, but how are local organising committees and finalists taking meaningful steps to reduce environmental impact?

Final Four Initiatives in Tampa Bay and San Antonio

At Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, host of the Women’s Final Four, sustainability efforts include diverting 30% of waste from landfills, and recycling around 90% of cans and bottles used at events. Water usage is reduced by restrooms featuring waterless urinals and flow restrictors.

In the lead-up to the Final Four, a riverwalk clean up was organised by the Tampa Bay Local Organizing Committee. Dozens of volunteers collected litter, ahead of welcoming fans and visitors to the area.

The Men’s Championships are being hosted at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and the Local Organizing Committee website states that it will deliver “the most sustainable final four yet.” Green team volunteers encourage fans to recycle at the Final Four, semi-finals and the Championship game, as well as at Fan Fest and Music Fest events. Since 2006, the venue has pursued “green” initiatives focused on water, energy and recycling.

“The Alamodome, while we’re quite proud of it’s history, is a bit of a dated infrastructure,” sustainability lead of San Antonio’s Local Organizing Committee for the Men’s Final Four, Brad Tipper shared. “We knew our impact wasn’t going to be as successful if we focused our efforts within the four walls of the dome. Instead we took this as an opportunity to identify and manage difficult to abate CO2 emissions, and introduce the idea of carbon removals.” The focus has been on conducting a lifecycle analysis of the Final Four, a comprehensive process evaluates the event’s environmental impact from start to finish.

Tim Trefzer, who previously led sustainability efforts for the NCAA Men’s Final Four local organizing committee in Atlanta shared, “sustainability efforts by Final Four are organized by local committees, which means year-on-year learnings and benchmarking can be lost. Consistency is difficult, and efforts vary from city to city.”

To address this challenge, SALOC is creating a sustainability playbook to be used across future NCAA events. Data is being collected and analyzed by students at local universities, supported by Tipper and his team. This will be published within 30 days of the Championship Game.

What The Final Four Teams Are Doing At Home

The Florida Gators will go up against Houston in the men’s championship game, in what is set to be a closely contested match up. At home, the Gators are committed to the University’s zero waste goal, encouraging recycling and green tailgating. “Green Games” are hosted throughout the season and a number of their buildings are certified as part of U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

University of Houston Athletics is powered by Rhythm Energy, a local energy provider that provides 100% renewable energy plans. University of Houston Office of Sustainability centres work around using resources responsibly. For Earth Month, they are hosting campus events including an e-waste pick up and plant-forward lunches.

The Auburn Tigers and Duke’s Blue Devils may have not have made the championship game, but their institution’s work off the court highlights how college programs are embracing sustainability. Circularity of apparel sits at the heart of the student-led athletics program “Devils Doing Good Gear Drive.” The initiative has collected and redistributed over 1,500 pairs of shoes to local community groups. Duke has an institutional climate commitment too, efforts include having over 300 climate and sustainability related classes and $3.7 million awarded in seed grants for research on climate. The Auburn Tigers are taking action on sustainability too, from solar panels at Jordan-Hare Stadium to recycling, composting, and tree-planting initiatives. Auburn’s Office of Sustainability is reducing its environmental impact while educating students and the community.

UConn will face South Carolina in the women’s championship game. UConn has been promoting sustainability through its Green Game Day program since 2008. Students have led recycling awareness and recovery at football and basketball games, collecting over 30,000 cans to date. Through the influence of head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina, helped establish an environmental engineering major for incoming player Joyce Edwards, highlighting the intersection between athletics and academic sustainability. Texas promotes sustainability efforts under the banner “Bleed Orange. Live Green,” with a focus on recycling.

Looking Ahead To Future Final Fours

The 2025 NCAA Final Four offers the opportunity to highlight sustainability in college sports, with host cities and participating teams taking action. As part of the site selection bid specifications for 2026 and 2027, the NCAA “encourages practice, competition and/or ancillary event venue(s) to engage in sustainability initiatives.” Indianapolis, Detroit, Phoenix and Columbus can further drive this momentum.

Recycling and water conservation initiatives in Tampa Bay reflect growing norms, while San Antonio’s forthcoming sustainability playbook signals a step towards ensuring data and learnings are preserved and accessible to set a benchmark and improve future NCAA events.

Half a million students play college sports across 1,100 institutions. With so many student-led initiatives driving greener athletics, the NCAA and its partners have the opportunity to prioritize environmental legacy beyond the Final Four and into a more sustainable future.