The ESG Football Summit – Event Summary by ISG
On December 9, 2024, the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw hosted the groundbreaking conference “GOAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY: The ESG Football Summit.” Organized by the Polish Football Association (PZPN), this event was one of the first in Poland to address ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) issues in sports. Representatives of major sports organizations, football clubs, professional leagues, sponsors, and experts gathered to discuss sustainable practices. Our organization was proudly represented by Piotr Popławski, Rafał Kaszubski and Mateusz Boczyło.
An Inspiring Conference Full of Practical Solutions
The event began with welcoming remarks from Przemysław Prętkiewicz, Director of the Grassroots Football Department at PZPN, and Marta Furmańczuk, Manager of Social Projects and Volunteering at PZPN. Marta presented progress on the 2023-2027 Sustainable Football Strategy in Poland, highlighting innovative initiatives such as virtual meet-and-greets for hospitalized children and collaborations with charities like the Herosi Foundation.
Filippo Veglio, Head of Social & Environmental Sustainability at UEFA, discussed UEFA’s 2030 sustainability strategy, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility for people with disabilities. He also showcased Euro 2024 as the most sustainable sports event in history.
Panel Discussions – Exchanging Knowledge and Best Practices
International Football Clubs and ESG
The first panel focused on ESG initiatives by European football clubs. Magdalena Nour from Malmö FF shared a unique example of Swedish fans suggesting reducing the production of commemorative jerseys for environmental reasons. This highlights the high level of environmental awareness in Scandinavia, offering valuable lessons for Polish clubs.
Accessibility for Fans with Disabilities
A panel dedicated to stadium accessibility explored topics like audio descriptions for visually impaired fans and “quiet hours” in club stores. Michał Fitas, President of the Disabled Supporters Foundation, highlighted Poland’s achievements, while Olivier Jarosz from AccessibAll noted:
“Fans with disabilities don’t perceive themselves as disabled. It’s the poorly adapted stadiums that make them feel this way.”
Inclusion in Football
Another panel explored inclusion in football. Representatives from AMP Football Poland, the Nie Widzę Przeszkód Foundation, and the Walking Football Association shared their successes and challenges in engaging underprivileged groups through sports.
ESG in Other Sports Disciplines
The conversation also extended beyond football. Speakers noted that sustainability initiatives are increasingly adopted in athletics and niche sports, demonstrating the broad potential of ESG practices.
Benefits of ESG for Polish Football Clubs
Representatives of Polish club-affiliated foundations, including Legia Warsaw and Śląsk Wrocław, presented their best practices, such as eco-friendly initiatives and impactful social projects.
The Role of Business and Funding in ESG Activities
Experts stressed the importance of collaboration with businesses and utilizing available funding programs, such as Erasmus+ and government grants, to implement effective ESG strategies.
Summary and the Future of ESG in Sports
“GOAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY: The ESG Football Summit” was a landmark event that showcased the growing awareness and implementation of sustainability in Polish sports. While many areas still require improvement, the event inspired further action and knowledge sharing.
We invite you to read the upcoming ISG reports on the social responsibility of football clubs, set to be released on December 12, 2024, and January 13, 2025.