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ECA: launch of a five-step sustainability strategy for member clubs
News Tank Football -
Paris - News #323205 - Published on 26/04/24 at 15:10
The ECAEuropean Club Association
is launching a sustainability strategy based on five steps, announced the European Club AssociationActivity: an "independent body directly representing football clubs at European level" (ECA website)
Founded: January 2008, replacing the G14 and the Forum of European Clubs
Headquarters: Nyon…
during its board meeting at the Civitas Metropolitano in Madrid (ESP) on 24/04/2024.
"ECA's view is that sustainability in football is no longer an optional or philanthropic, ad-hoc endeavour; it must be integrated into the core strategy of football organisations which are facing a number of significant social and environmental issues. ECAActivity: an "independent body directly representing football clubs at European level" (ECA website)
Founded: January 2008, replacing the G14 and the Forum of European Clubs
Headquarters: Nyon…
's approach is to lead by example in sustainability, inspiring and empowering clubs to take action," said the body.
The five steps outlined by the European Club Association, which it is committed to following alongside its member clubs, "are: • Creating a dedicated structure or function focused on sustainability. • Defining a vision that aligns sustainability practices with good governance. • Assessing the club's impacts, risks and opportunities to establish clear priorities, targets and KPIs. • Publicising sustainability strategies through annual reports to ensure transparency and accountability. • Adopting cross-functional initiatives that encompass training, capacity building and communication on sustainability principles."
"The strategy is the culmination of a process that gained impetus last year (2023) with the appointment of a head of sustainability, Gaia Pretner, and the formation of a pan-European ECA Sustainability Working Group composed of representatives from ECA member clubs and led by Niclas Carlnén, CEO of Malmö FF (Swedish D1) and ECA board member," continued the body.
In addition to these steps, there "are four key environmental objectives: • Optimising the consumption and life cycle of products. • Taking climate action. • Shaping events to minimise environmental impact. • Providing guidance on infrastructure sustainability."
To access the ECA page dedicated to its sustainability strategy, click here
"Sustainability must be a priority" (N. Al-Khelaïfi, ECA)
• In the face of these challenges, it is our responsibility to take proactive measures within our sphere of influence to minimise the impact on our members, and supporting clubs in finding solutions locally.
• While acknowledging that we may not have all the solutions, our new Sustainability Strategy will be at the core of every decision going forward."
Nasser Al-KhelaïfiChairman @ European Club Association (ECA) • Member of the executive committee @ UEFA • President @ beIN MEDIA GROUP • President and CEO @ Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) • Chairman @ Qatar Sports…
, chairman of the ECA, 24/04/2024
• Our top management prioritised sustainability as one of ECA's eight key pillars for our upcoming strategic cycle. We have provided a comprehensive sustainability training for our entire ECA workforce and extended this education to our member clubs through six highly attended webinars on the topic.
• Our social objectives revolve around the policies of:
- combating racial discrimination from football
- providing safe havens for young children
- ensuring fair treatment and inclusion for all
- making football accessible to people of all abilities
- safeguarding the health and well-being of football participants of all ages
- supporting refugee integration and championing dignity; and respect and equal rights for everyone
• While acknowledging that we may not have all the solutions, we aim to showcase our dedication through concrete, measurable policies, objectives and KPIs.
• Our goal is to elevate European football's sustainability approach and motivate our member clubs to develop their own strategies and take consistent, impactful actions."
Gaia Pretner, head of sustainability at the ECA, 24/04/2024
ECA: more than 350 directors & leaders from 200 clubs at the first "Club Connect" held in Madrid (ESP) on 24 & 25/04/2024
What an amazing two days we've had with the ECA family at the inaugural ECA Club Connect! Lots of learning, debating, and insights on Commercial & Innovation and Sustainability. ♻️💡
"Over 350 directors and operational leaders from more than 200 clubs met at the Meliá Castilla Hotel (Madrid, ESP) over 24-25/04/2024" for the first edition of the annual ECA Club Connect event, according to the Association on 26/04/2024.
"This first edition of what will become an annual event, focused specifically on 'Sustainability' and 'Commercial & Innovation' and was declared a huge success by organisers and delegates alike. The event also offered networking opportunities, breakout sessions, and insightful panels, all centered around those two pivotal workstreams."
"The event proved a big hit with club representatives. They seemed to appreciate that this is another step forward in our efforts to grow and create value for clubs. We see the ECA Club Connect as key to underscore our role at the ‘Heart of Football’ and fundamental to our mission of being a strategic convergence of minds and shaping the future of European club football," said Jérémy CottinoMembership Project Leader @ European Club Association (ECA) , membership project leader at the European Club Association.
European Club Association (ECA)
Activity: an "independent body directly representing football clubs at European level" (ECA website) Founded: January 2008, replacing the G14 and the Forum of European Clubs Headquarters: Nyon, Switzerland Members: 700+ clubs (07/2024) from 55 UEFA member associations Chairman: Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (QAT / Paris Saint-Germain) since 21/04/2021 Chief Executive Officer: Charlie Marshall (ENG) elected on 09/04/2020 Director of Communications and Marketing: Robert Faulkner since 03/05/2022
Board: • Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), chairman • Miguel Ángel Gil Marín (Club Atlético de Madrid, LaLiga EA Sports), UEFA executive committee ECA representatives • Martina Pavlova (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), vice-chair • Jan-Christian Dreesen (FC Bayern Munich, Bundesliga), vice-chair • Dariusz Mioduski (Legia Varsovie, Poland), vice-chair • Aki Riihilahti (HJK Helsinki, Finland), vice-chair • Peter Lawwell (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland), vice-chair • Alessandro Antonello (FC Inter Milan, Serie A TIM), board member • Jokin Aperribay (Real Sociedad, LaLiga EA Sports), board member • Jan-Christian Dreesen (FC Bayern Munich, Bundesliga), board member • Dennis te Kloese (Feyenoord Rotterdam, Eredivisie), board member • Pablo Longoria (Olympique de Marseille, Ligue 1 Uber Eats), board member • Oliver Mintzlaff (RB Leipzig, Bundesliga), board member • Ferran Soriano (Manchester City, Premier League), board member • Tore Bjørseth Berdal (Rosenborg, Norway), board member • Rui Manuel Cesar Costa (SL Benfica, Liga Portugal Betclic), board member • Bart Verhaeghe(Club Brugge, Belgium), board member • Ali Y. Koç (Fenerbahce, Süper Lig), board member • Stephan Reiter (RB Salzbourg, Admiral Bundesliga), board member • Niclas Carlnén (Malmo FF, Sweden), board member • Daniel Rommedahl (FC Copenhague, Denmark), board member • Pál Orosz (Ferencvaros, Hungary), board member • Asif Asgarov (Qarabag, Azerbaïdjan), board member • Aki Riihilahti (HJK Helsinki, Finland), board member • Michele Kang (Olympique Lyonnais féminin, D1 Arkema), women's club board member • Michael Verschueren, independent member • Michele Centenaro, independent member • Juan José Sartori (AS Monaco FC, Ligue 1 Uber Eats), Subdivision 1 representative • Stacy Johns (Grasshopper Club Zurich, Switzerland), Subdivision 2 representative • Raphael Landthaler (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic), Subdivision 3 representative • Kuno Tehva (Nomme Kalju FC, Estonia), Subdivision 4 representative • Jean-Claude Blanc (Manchester United FC, Premier League), UEFA Club Competitions SA ECA representative • Dan Friedkin (AS Roma, Serie A TIM), UEFA Club Competitions SA ECA representatives • Fernando Carro (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bundesliga), UEFA Club Competitions SA ECA representatives • Dariusz Mioduski (Legia Varsovie, Poland), UEFA Club Competitions SA ECA representatives
Four women appointed by the board itself to advance the ECA's "efforts in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion": • Valentina de Laurentiis (SSC Napoli, Serie A TIM) • Aleksandra Milošević (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia) • Vlatka Peras (GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Croatie) • Azra Numanović (FK Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
European Club Association
is launching a sustainability strategy based on five steps, announced the European Club Association
Activity: an "independent body directly representing football clubs at European level" (ECA website)
Founded: January 2008, replacing the G14 and the Forum of European Clubs
Headquarters: Nyon…
during its board meeting at the Civitas Metropolitano in Madrid (ESP) on 24/04/2024.
Chairman @ European Club Association (ECA) • Member of the executive committee @ UEFA • President @ beIN MEDIA GROUP • President and CEO @ Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) • Chairman @ Qatar Sports…
Membership Project Leader @ European Club Association (ECA)