Sustainability in Football
Over the last three years, we have looked at how the Premier League clubs in England have faired not only on the football log, but also in their sustainability efforts. We started in 2021 with a double installment on the establishment of the sustainability league and also how clubs might be able to improve their rankings through waste management efforts. Last year we did a follow up piece on how the teams had faired in 2022 with a breakdown on how the points were awarded (Read: Top Scorers in Sustainability Football League).
It appears that the top 5 spots remain largely unchanged in 2023.
The top 4 positions remain unchanged on the sustainability league with Spurs and Liverpool Football Club (LFC) sharing the champions spot again. The newcomer to the top 5 is Brighton & Hove Albion who have worked their way up from 7th to 5th, switching places with Manchester United who have now dropped to 7th position from a previous 5th.
Of more interest though, with the UEFA Champions League Final coming up, we thought it might be worthwhile to take a look at how the English Clubs fare on the European Rankings for Sustainability with clubs trying to score the ‘ESG hattrick’. The Football Sustainability Index has recently been developed by Brand Finance and has come up with a toolkit to rank the European Football Clubs on their ESG performance (Read more: ESG ranking for business).
Key takeaways from the Football Sustainability Index
- Liverpool FC is perceived to be the most sustainable football brand in Europe’s top 5 leagues
- Spanish Clubs Real Betis and Real Madrid both secure positions in top 3
- English Premier League is perceived to be the most sustainable league in the ranking
- Sustainability becomes a key factor for sponsors
Liverpool FC is widely viewed as the one of the most sustainable football clubs across Europe’s top 5 leagues, according to a report, the Football Sustainability Perceptions Index 2023, published by leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance. The club achieved an impressive overall score of 86/100 across the three key sustainability metrics: Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG).
Liverpool’s commendable ESG score is founded on the belief among supporters that the team is exceptionally well-managed beyond the field of play. Through initiatives like ‘The Red Way,’ ‘LFC Foundation,’ and the ‘Red Neighbours program,’ the club actively engages in extensive community projects. Liverpool also takes pride in transparently communicating its positive advancements toward becoming an entirely sustainable club, further augmenting its reputation among fans and solidifying its position as the top-ranked brand. Liverpool FC also received the sustainability award at the Football Business Awards a few weeks ago for their sustainability strategy.
Rise of ESG and Sustainable Football
Football clubs in the Premier League are increasingly recognising the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and are actively incorporating sustainability practices. From adopting renewable energy sources to reducing carbon emissions, clubs are investing in eco-friendly initiatives to improve their sustainability ranking. Additionally, they are focusing on social initiatives like community outreach programs, diversity and inclusion efforts, and responsible business practices to create a positive impact beyond the field. By prioritising ESG considerations, Premier League clubs are embracing their role as responsible organisations and contributing to a more sustainable future.
At Don’t Waste, we assist our clients with their sustainability journey by recommending the best and most environmentally friendly solutions to avoid and repurpose waste.
The Don’t Waste System easily manages the waste generated at businesses and events whilst educating the public on the importance of recycling. With over 25 years of waste management experience, we offer consulting for zero waste to landfill and valuable transitions into circular value chains.
