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ECA: launch of a five-step sustainability strategy for member clubs

News Tank Football - Paris - News #323205 - Published on -
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©  ECA
The ECA's sustainability strategy - ©  ECA

The ECA 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.

"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. 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… '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)

Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, chairman of the ECA, 24/04/2024 - ©  ECA/Andreas B. Krueger
• "Sustainability must be a priority for all stakeholders. Our sport faces huge challenges from climate change, racism and social exclusion - growing more urgent by the day.

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-Khelaïfi 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… , chairman of the ECA, 24/04/2024

"One of our eight key pillars" (G. Pretner, ECA)

G. Pretner - ©  ECA
• "ECA's approach is to lead by example in sustainability, inspiring and empowering clubs to take action.

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

  • "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 Cottino Membership 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

Executive Committee
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi
Jan-Christian Dreesen
Peter Lawwell
Dariusz Mioduski
Aki Riihilahti
Martina Pavlová
Míguel Ángel Gil Marin
Dan Friedkin
Jean-Claude Blanc
Dennis Te Kloese
Ali Y. Koç
Niclas Carlnén
Ferran Soriano

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)


Category: Professional Unions


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# 1039, created on 06/02/14 at 18:33 - Updated on 04/12/24 at 16:26

©  ECA
The ECA's sustainability strategy - ©  ECA